The number of stroke cases in Jakarta is quite high. The report of Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) in 2018 issued by the Indonesian Ministry of Health shows that the prevalence of stroke in Jakarta has increased from 7% to 10.9% since 2013. Seeing this high number, the budget spent by the state was large enough to deal with stroke, so there is a need for a preventive action in order to reduce the number of stroke cases. This was stated by Mita Noviana, S.Ft., M.Kes., a lecturer in Physiotherapy, Vocational Education Program, Universitas Indonesia (UI) while conducting community service activities (pengmas) on Panggang Island, Thousand Islands, DKI Jakarta.
WHO defines stroke as a condition of blockage or rupture of cerebral blood vessels, so part of the brain experiences a lack of blood supply that carries oxygen, and it results in cell/tissue death. If it is not treated immediately, it will lead to death.
The quite high number data of elderly people on Panggang Island requires prevention of degenerative diseases and strokes that are importantly carried out. The community service activity, led by Riza Pahlawi, S.Tr.Ftr., M.Kes., was provided in the form of counseling and physiotherapy examinations, as well as exercise therapy for cadres, the elderly, and residents of Panggang Island.
“Basic examination and early detection of stroke are a series of examinations that can classify patients or people being examined into low risk, caution, or high risk of stroke category. The early stroke detection program should be accompanied by the implementation of a physiotherapy program in the form of exercise therapy that focuses on dealing with degenerative diseases, so the elderly are able to do good exercise as an effort to prevent the emergence of degenerative diseases,” said Riza.
He explained that his team conducted early stroke detection using data that had been filled in by patients through an examination form that had been compiled by Indonesian Neuro Physiotherapy Association (PFNI). “In the form, there were examinations such as blood sugar levels, cholesterol, blood pressure, tobacco consumption, and physical activity. From the above examination, a conclusion would be drawn whether the patient is in the high, medium, or low stroke risk category,” said Riza.
The community service activity also focused on educating the elderly in an effort to improve their health status. They were expected to be able to live a better life, free from complaints, and be able to contribute more to their environment after receiving the benefits provided from these activities.
Kamued (63 years old), one of the participants of the activity admitted that he got many benefits from the community service activities, “There has never been an activity like this on Panggang Island, especially regarding examination and how to detect stroke. We are very grateful to Vocational UI for providing a lot of enlightenment regarding health issues, especially in efforts to prevent stroke, through organizing this activity,” he said.
