Susvill FIKES 2024: Maternal and Child Health Counseling to Increase Public Health Awareness in Cijantur Together

FIKES UPNVJ - Saturday, November 9, 2024 - The Faculty of Health Sciences of the National Development University "Veteran" Jakarta (FIKES UPNVJ) plays an active role in supporting the Work Program of the Student Executive Board (BEM) UPNVJ through the Sustainable Village 2024 activity. One of its contributions is health education that focuses on Maternal and Child Health (KIA) in Kampung Cijantur, Bogor. This activity was motivated by the results of a survey that showed a high rate of early marriage in the area.

"During the initial survey, it was found that many young mothers aged around 20 years old already had four children, some even married at the age of 12," said one of the members of BEM FIKES UPNVJ. This education was carried out with educational media in the form of posters and leaflets. The main topics discussed included anemia, high-risk pregnancy factors (4T), prevention of stunting, and the implementation of Clean and Healthy Living Behavior (PHBS). BEM FIKES UPNVJ collaborated with the Rumpin District Health Center in this consultation and counseling.

The results of the counseling revealed that the majority of pregnant women in Cijantur Village face various health challenges. One of the main problems is the public perception that high-protein foods are too expensive, which has an impact on poor nutrition in children due to inadequate diets. In addition, the counseling team noted the high health risks due to early marriage, especially related to the physical condition of the uterus. At too young an age, the uterus is not optimally ready, while at too old an age, the condition of the uterus becomes weak, thus posing a risk to pregnancy. The enthusiasm of the community in participating in this activity was very high, with participants paying great attention to the educational points presented.

In terms of PHBS, the counseling team highlighted the importance of maintaining environmental cleanliness, such as bathrooms or toilets, to prevent diseases such as cholera and hepatitis A. They also invited the community to wash their hands regularly and reduce smoking habits as steps towards a healthy lifestyle. The counseling team hopes that the community can adopt a healthy diet that does not always require expensive costs, as well as better understand and be aware of high-risk pregnancy factors (4T). With this education-based approach, it is hoped that there will be an increase in the quality of maternal and child health in Cijantur Village, while also supporting changes in the community's mindset to maintain health in a sustainable manner.