The rise of zoonotic diseases in recent decades has become a significant concern for society, signalling the growing threat of deadly diseases transmitted from animals to humans. Over the past 20 years, 75% of new human diseases have emerged due to the transmission of pathogens from animals to humans. To prevent the increasing spread of zoonotic diseases, a team of lecturers and students from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya—drh. Sruti Listra Adrenalin, M.Sc., Haura Nadhifa Putri Anwari, and Amelia Septhia Maharani—dedicated themselves to educating the students of SDN 3 Kucur, Dau District, Malang Regency, through a creative socialization program focusing on the application of Clean and Healthy Living Behavior. This activity took place from July 22 to August 3, 2024.
The necessity for this program arose from the need for more awareness about zoonotic diseases and the insufficient implementation of One Health principles in daily life, primarily due to the limited availability of trained educators. Consequently, prior outreach or education on zoonotic diseases and One Health had yet to be. Therefore, there is a need to increase socialization efforts on the One Health concept and its impact on preventing zoonotic diseases, especially among children.
This socialization program aimed to raise awareness and understanding among the students of SDN 3 Kucur about preventing zoonotic diseases through applying One Health principles and PHBS (Perilaku Hidup Bersih dan Sehat). The integration of One Health and PHBS can be incorporated into the curriculum and daily learning processes in line with the lifelong learning concept. By combining the principles of One Health and PHBS with a lifelong learning mindset, the program promotes continuous learning throughout life, significantly impacting education and Health at SDN 3 Kucur.
The socialization was conducted over two weeks. In the first week, socialization targeted students in grades 1 to 3, with the theme “Let’s Do One Health with Action,” telling the story of a mouse that can spread diseases and how to prevent its transmission. Besides raising students’ awareness of zoonotic disease prevention, the program aimed to prepare them to embrace lifelong learning, face new challenges and continuously develop themselves. The socialization sessions were conducted daily in the laboratory of SDN 3 Kucur, using PowerPoint presentations and demonstrations with visual aids to create a more engaging and fun learning atmosphere. The sessions also included quizzes as pretests and posttests to measure the students’ understanding. The event concluded with a colouring competition to enhance fine motor skills and introduce students to animal knowledge.
In the second week, a socialization program titled “Introduction to the Concept of Zoonoses and PHBS” was held for students in grades 4 to 6. This program consisted of three stages: a pretest, a material presentation, and a posttest. The material was delivered using PowerPoint and animated visual aids as socialization media. The socialization activities culminated in the Clean and Healthy Living Behavior demonstration, including handwashing with soap and proper toothbrushing techniques. A “PHBS Memory” competition was also held using cards featuring animations related to PHBS.
The community service activity concluded with a closing ceremony on August 3, 2024, marked by the symbolic handing over of plaques, certificates, and other outputs such as teaching modules, posters, and health kit supplies. The socialization program was successful and received positive responses from all participants. Through this socialization, students can apply the One Health concept with a lifelong learning mindset, creating a healthier and safer environment for everyone and preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases.
