Pengabdian kepada masyarakat: generasi muda pencegah thalasemia (GEMPITA)

Abstract

Introduction: Thalassemia is a hereditary blood disorder characterized by abnormal hemoglobin production, which leads to the destruction of red blood cells and results in anemia. Individuals with thalassemia typically present with pallor, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Indonesia is among the countries with a high prevalence of thalassemia, with the number of diagnosed cases increasing by nearly 2,000 annually. In general, children living with thalassemia may exhibit symptoms of depression, anxiety, psychosocial disturbances, and impaired academic functioning. Purpose: Improving understanding of Thalassemia, early detection and prevention methods for the disease, and supporting and enhancing the quality of life for students. Method: This research uses health education methods. Result: there was an increase in the Pretest results compared to the Post-test by 17.4%. Therefore, it can be concluded that the achievement of the "GEMPITA: Generasi Muda Pencegah Thalasemia" activity, attended by 67 11th-grade students at SMK Yayasan Pendidikan Farmasi Bandung, showed that most students demonstrated a good understanding of the material presented during the activity. Conclusion: There has been an increase in knowledge among students regarding thalassemia. Furthermore, for the sustainability of this program, health education on thalassemia can be continued with other more interactive methods.