Islamic Health Promoting University (I-HELP U): Case Study of Nutrition Intervention Program Institutionalization at a University Level

Abstract

The Islamic Health Promoting University (I-HELP U) is an initiative program by Universitas Muhammadiyah Prof. DR. HAMKA as a health promotion program with integration of both health and Islamic values. The pilot programs were implemented between September – November 2021. This study aims to evaluate the pilot programs of I-HELP U which consist of need assessment, health literacy, advocacy, and healthy behaviour practices. Need assessment was conducted to assess the baseline data of nutritional status and unhealthy lifestyle. Health literacy was performed to improve nutrition knowledge among participants. Advocacy was implemented to assist the production of regulation documents to support the program. Healthy behavior practices were implemented to improve the health promoting behavior among participants. The results show that there are improvements on targeted outcomes on the initiative (policy documents establishment), participation (1,904 respondents of need assessment, 300 participants of webinars, and 1,700 YouTube views), and knowledge level (p<0.05). The university leaders show a strong commitment in the policy making to support I-HELP U since UHAMKA hold a vision to be a prophetic teaching university. This basic value supports the effort of I-HELP U to institutionalize the programs as it integrates Islamic value in the content. Future dissemination of the program and regulation should be provided massively to all university academic communities.