Penerapan Metode Peer Education dalam Pembentukan dan Pembinaan Duta Panti Bersih dan Sehat (PANSIHHAT) di Panti Asuhan Al Hidayah

Abstract

An orphanage is a place to live together and in groups to take care of children without their parents. The condition of the densely populated orphanage environment is often associated with personal hygiene problems for its residents. Poor personal hygiene has a physical and psychological impact on children. The application of the Peer Education method by Ambassadors of "Duta Panti Bersih dan Sehat - PANSIHHAT" was carried out as an alternative to accelerate awareness of Clean and Healthy Life Behavior (CHLB) for children in the orphanage environment. Peers can be more effective in providing health education than teachers or parents. This activity aims to form and develop PANSIHHAT Ambassadors who come from the orphanage's children as cadres who provide education to their friends in the orphanage. The implementation stage of the activity included the socialization of activities to the service targets, namely the Al Hidayah Orphanage, the formation and debriefing of PANSIHHAT Ambassadors, implementation and assistance of the Peer Education, and evaluating the effectiveness of the application of the method. CHLB education was attended by 26 children, of which 85% were boys and 15% were girls, most (77%) were in their early teens, and a small portion (15% and 8%) were in the category of early adult and child, respectively. Based on a questionnaire before and after applying the Peer Education method, it was found that there was an increase in children's knowledge and behaviour related to CHLB. However, there was no change in children's attitudes regarding CHLB in the orphanage environment. Orphanage management must continue mentoring and regularly evaluating the PANSIHHAT Ambassador program to maximize children's hygiene and health conditions.