Improving Knowledge of Healthy Lifestyle Using WhatsApp Application and Health Screening of Productive Age Population in Pajimatan Hamlet, Imogiri, Bantul

Abstract

The prevalence of obesity continuously increase, as are associated comorbidities and healthcare expenses. Early detection, intervention, and effective treatment of obesity are important to improve quality of life and to reduce costs. This Community Practice Program aimed to evaluate health status and provide education about healthy life style of people at productive age in Pajimatan Hamlet, Imogiri, Bantul, Yogyakarta. Participants were 66 adults (26 men, 40 women) aged 19-64 years living in Pajimatan Hamlet. The program was held on November 2021. Education on healthy life style was done using WhatsApp group. Pre- and post-test were given to the participant before and after the education. Health screening was done by measuring height, weight, waist circumference (WC), blood pressure BP), and fasting blood glucose level. Obesity was determined using body mass index (BMI) and WC. There were significant increase scores before and after education in men (p= 0.017) and women (p< 0.001). Health screening indicated that men were significantly taller (p< 0.001) and heavier (p= 0.009) than women, however, there was no difference in BMI, WC, BP, and fasting blood glucose level (p> 0.05). There were no differences in the distribution of BMI obesity between men and women, however, women with central obesity were higher than men (70% women, 30% women, p= 0.021). Men having prehypertension were higher than women (46.2 vs. 15%), on the other hand, women with hypertension I and II seemed to be higher than men (p= 0.043). The prevalence of type-2 diabetes was slightly greater in women (12.5%) compared with 7.7% in men. In conclusion, the Community Service Program found high prevalence of obesity and hypertension in the population. Education on healthy life style program can help to improve knowledge of the target population.