The Community Service Team (pengmas) of the Faculty of Pharmacy (FF) of Universitas Indonesia (UI) carried out another community service activity for the Badui community in Kanekes Village, Leuwidamar District, Lebak-Banten Regency. This program is a continuation of the community service activities carried out in 2023, where the team found several cases of stunting and children who experienced bone stiffness and were declared as cases of Bone Tuberculosis (TB) by doctors.
Based on these findings, it was found that cases of stunting and Bone TB are still quite high among the Badui community. So, this year, the FFUI Community Service Team returned to conduct health screening for the Badui community. The activity, led by apt. Tri Wahyuni, M.Biomed, Ph.D., focused on health and stunting issues in Kadu Ketug 1-3 Village and Kadu Jangkung Village on Saturday, August 10, with team members consisting of Prof. Dr. apt. Anton Bahtiar, MS.; Apt. Donna Marreta, MS., Ph.D.; and Ratri Syafira Putri, S.Psi.
In its implementation, the team conducted socialization and education related to the importance of Clean and Healthy Living Behavior (PHBS) as one of the efforts to prevent stunting and transmission of respiratory diseases. On the official website of the Ministry of Health, it is stated that one of the key factors that is often missed in preventing stunting is the implementation of PHBS. Some of the steps include diligently washing hands with soap before and after eating, after using the toilet, after holding animals, after cleaning the environment, and after doing activities outside the home.
Furthermore, the series of activities began with a free health check in Kadu Ketug Village 1-3, which included checking blood pressure, sugar levels, uric acid, and cholesterol. In the afternoon session, the team met with Jaro or the traditional leader represented by Meidi at the house of the Jaro Chief. The activity was then continued in Kadu Jangkung Village, and the team provided education and goodie bags to the children.
The Head of the Badui Community, Sadam, stated that the community service activities carried out by UI were strongly supported by the village. “Residents are very enthusiastic about the health checks that include blood pressure, blood sugar levels, uric acid, and cholesterol,” he said.
During the activity, apt. Tri Wahyuni said that she experienced several obstacles in providing explanations to the local community. “The PHBS education activities carried out in Kadu Ketug Village 1-3 and in Kadu Jangkung Village were very well received by the Badui community, although, in the explanation, we needed an intermediary from a midwife or other health workers,” said apt. Tri Wahyuni. She added that this program is also supported by several other partners, namely PT Ultrasakti; PT Rohto; and PT Taisho Pharmaceutical.
