Grouse Oematan, Marselinus Laga Nur, Anna Talahatu, Inggit Meliana Anggarini, Utma Aspatria

Pencegahan Hipertensi Pada Remaja Melalui Pendidikan Kesehatan, Inovasi Media Edukasi Interaktif dan Pelibatan Agen Sehat di SMPN 1 Kupang Timur

Introduction

Pencegahan hipertensi pada remaja melalui pendidikan kesehatan, inovasi media edukasi interaktif dan pelibatan agen sehat di smpn 1 kupang timur. Program pencegahan hipertensi pada remaja di SMPN 1 Kupang Timur melalui pendidikan kesehatan, media interaktif, dan agen sehat terbukti efektif tingkatkan pengetahuan dan perilaku.

Abstract

Hypertension is a medical condition in which an individual experiences a persistent increase in blood pressure above the normal threshold, defined as a systolic pressure ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic pressure ≥90 mmHg. Hypertension, commonly referred to as high blood pressure, is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and various other health complications. This community engagement program aimed to improve knowledge, awareness, and preventive behaviors regarding hypertension among adolescents through health education, innovative interactive educational media, and the involvement of peer health agents at SMPN 1 Kupang Timur. The activities was conducted through several stages, including an initial survey, health education using booklets and interactive websites, and the training of peer health agents from the student council (OSIS). Evaluation results showed a significant improvement: among the 50 participating students, the average score for hypertension knowledge increased from 61.5 to 80.5, with 44 students (88%) showing improvement. Knowledge as a peer health agent rose from 55.7 to 84.8 (92%), and the ability to educate peers saw the most significant jump, from 30.3 to 89.9 (98%) after the intervention. These findings confirm that interactive media and peer education-based approaches are effective in promoting behavioral change and sustainable hypertension prevention within the school environment. This program offers valuable implications for developing similar initiatives in other schools to reduce the incidence of hypertension among adolescents.

Review

This community engagement program, titled "Pencegahan Hipertensi Pada Remaja Melalui Pendidikan Kesehatan, Inovasi Media Edukasi Interaktif dan Pelibatan Agen Sehat di SMPN 1 Kupang Timur," addresses the critical issue of hypertension prevention among adolescents. The abstract clearly outlines hypertension as a significant public health concern and details a multi-faceted intervention designed to enhance knowledge, awareness, and preventive behaviors among students at SMPN 1 Kupang Timur. The program utilized a blend of traditional health education, innovative interactive media (booklets and websites), and the strategic involvement of peer health agents from the student council. The immediate post-intervention evaluation revealed a significant improvement in participant knowledge, both generally regarding hypertension and specifically in their capacity as peer educators. A significant strength of this initiative lies in its comprehensive and innovative approach. The integration of interactive educational media alongside direct health education is particularly commendable, recognizing the need for engaging adolescents through contemporary tools. Furthermore, the strategic empowerment of peer health agents, drawn from the student council, offers a highly sustainable model for disseminating health information and fostering positive behavioral change within the school environment. The abstract provides clear quantitative evidence of success, with substantial improvements in average knowledge scores and high percentages of students showing improvement across various metrics. This demonstrates the immediate efficacy of the program and its potential as a replicable model for other educational institutions seeking to implement effective hypertension prevention strategies. While the program demonstrates significant promise, the abstract also highlights areas for potential further exploration and refinement in a full paper. Crucially, while knowledge improvement is well-documented, the abstract states an aim to improve "preventive behaviors," yet the evaluation results presented focus solely on knowledge. Future research should endeavor to measure actual behavioral changes related to hypertension prevention, such as dietary habits, physical activity levels, or regular health checks. Additionally, the sustainability of these improvements would benefit from a longer-term follow-up study to assess the lasting impact on both knowledge retention and behavioral adoption. Further details on the specific content and design of the "interactive media" and the training methodology for peer agents would also enhance the understanding and replicability of this valuable intervention.

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