Sleeping is vital in maintaining physical and mental health, especially in adolescents. Adolescents who do not get enough sleep have a higher risk of obesity, diabetes, injury, mental health problems, and behavior problems. The risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) also increases. According to the World Health Organization (2021), NCDs cause 71% of deaths, or around 41 million people every year. The results of Basic Health Research also show an increase in the prevalence of diabetes, stroke, hypertension, and joint disease from 2007 to 2018.
Therefore, the Community Service Team of the Faculty of Nursing UI collaborates with SMP Negeri 33 Depok to organize a special health education program for adolescents. This program collaborates with Healthy Ambassadors students from SMP Negeri 33 Depok to increase awareness of the importance of quality sleep and its impact on adolescent health. A total of 30 students who are healthy ambassadors, the school principal, and five teachers took part in an educational program, “Healthy Sleep and Early Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases.”
The Community Service Team Faculty of Nursing UI delivered material about the importance of quality sleep for teenagers, napping practices, and preventing non-communicable diseases. Besides, this activity also provides education and examinations related to insomnia, blood sugar, cholesterol, and uric acid. Hening Pujasari S.Kp., M. Biomed., MANP., Ph.D., Chair of the Community Service Team, said, “We are very enthusiastic about the collaboration to increase awareness of the importance of quality sleep in teenagers. By involving healthy ambassadors, we are sure the health information will more effectively reach the audiences.”
Healthy Ambassadors play important roles in strengthening the nation’s character by educating teenagers to stay away from the practices of early marriage, premarital sex, and addictive substance abuse. Instead, they must adopt a healthy lifestyle to be a strong generation and benefit society. Thus, the Healthy Living Movement is necessary for encouraging society to have regular physical activity, adequate sleep, consume fruit and vegetables, and avoid smoking, alcohol, and drug use.
They can get involved in a Healthy Living Movement by educating people, especially teenagers, about a healthy lifestyle, one of which is getting enough sleep. We aim to help teenagers understand the negative impact of lack of sleep on their health. The Faculty of Nursing Community Service Team UI also provides in-depth information about the risks of chronic diseases due to poor sleep habits and solutions to tackle this problem. The team also offered health monitoring tools for SMP Negeri 33 Depok.
Hening Pujasari delivered insightful information about sleep and NCD prevention. Before the session began, participants were given a pre-test form of multiple choice and true-or-false options to evaluate their understanding of healthy sleep practices and early prevention of NCDs. This program provides information and involves students in interactive discussions and brainstorming sessions guided by experienced presenters. As a result, students learn to apply healthy sleep practices in their daily lives.
“I thank the lecturers and seniors from the University of Indonesia who have delivered useful information to the students here,” said Ratna, S.Pd. Faculty of Nursing UI is committed to supporting the younger generation’s health through this program. Empowering teenagers as agents of change can create a supportive environment for healthy living habits and disease prevention.
