UNNES Actively Promotes Public Health, from Community Service to Village Sports Programs
Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) continues to strengthen its contribution to public health through a wide range of health promotion activities. Various programs have been implemented by UNNES to promote health, develop “sports villages,” and improve community nutrition.
These programs are carried out by several university units, led by the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Sports Science, with strong involvement from students. Below are several concrete initiatives that have been implemented.
Community Service Funding for Health Promotion
UNNES applies three main approaches to promote health and improve the quality of life: (1) community service programs, (2) student community engagement through Kuliah Kerja Nyata (KKN), and (3) research activities.
In 2024, several community service projects focused on health promotion received university funding support.
One such project, “Jogo Konco: Optimizing Peer Education on Reproductive Health and Assistance for Adolescents at Risk of Early Marriage,” led by Muhammad Azinar, focused on adolescent reproductive health education.
Another project, led by Natalia Desy Putriningtyas from the Public Health Program, titled “Empowerment and Dietary Regulation through Customized Food Models for Potential Young Athletes to Support the National Sports Grand Design,” received funding support of IDR 15,000,635.
Meanwhile, Dr. Yuni Wijayanti, M.Kes implemented the project “Countering Stunting through WASH Program Implementation in the Working Area of UPTD Puskesmas Sekaran, Semarang City,” with funding support of IDR 18,000,000.
Workplace Safety Education in Retail Environments
Students from the UNNES Public Health Program held a health promotion event at RAMAI Supermarket, Semarang. The activity aimed to raise awareness of workplace safety among supermarket employees, focusing on the proper use of portable ladders according to OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) standards.
This education initiative is expected to reduce workplace accidents caused by unsafe equipment use and foster a healthier, more productive work environment.
Hygiene and Sanitation Awareness in Local Markets
UNNES Public Health students also conducted a health promotion campaign at Sampangan Market, Semarang. The activity emphasized the importance of maintaining market hygiene and practicing healthy lifestyles. Key topics included proper handwashing techniques, safe food storage, and disease prevention through environmental cleanliness among vendors and customers.
Health Promotion at the Bandarharjo Fish-Smoking Center
To reach traditional workplaces, UNNES Public Health students organized a health promotion event at the Bandarharjo Fish-Smoking Center in North Semarang, under the theme “Strong Workers, Healthy Bodies: Move Actively, Stay Productive!”
The campaign addressed the issue of lower back pain, which is common among fish-smoking workers due to heavy physical activity and body posture demands. Five students delivered educational materials and demonstrated stretching exercises to the workers.
They also distributed leaflets and wall clocks as reminders to practice muscle stretching regularly, in line with the Ministry of Health’s recommendations. One worker expressed appreciation, saying, “Before this, I didn’t really know — I just worked. Now I understand how to make my back feel more relaxed.”
Sports Villages: Thematic KKN and Community Development
UNNES is also active in Lempuyang Village, Demak, through a thematic community service program (KKN Tematik) by students from the Physical Education, Health, and Recreation (PJKR) Department. This program responds to the challenges of the digital era by encouraging the community to engage in more sports and healthy lifestyle practices.
Additionally, Lempuyang Village has partnered with UNNES to develop its potential as an “International Sports Village.” The collaboration includes designing village-level sports programs, improving local sports facilities, and building community capacity for regular physical activity.
Overall Impact and Future Directions
Through these various programs, UNNES demonstrates its strong commitment to advancing public health. From education on nutrition and hygiene to workplace safety and structured physical activity at the village level, UNNES acts not only as a center of academic excellence but also as a driver of social transformation at the grassroots level.
Looking ahead, UNNES plans to expand these initiatives to reach more markets, traditional workplaces, schools, and villages, while strengthening collaboration with local governments and community organizations to ensure the sustainability of health promotion programs.
