Significant Increase In Participation Research Articles

Computational thinking with game design: An action research study with middle school students

AbstractMiddle school students often enter Computer Science (CS) classes without previous CS or Computational Thinking (CT) instruction. This study evaluated how Code.org’s block-based programming curriculum affects middle school students’ CT skills and attitudes toward CT and CS. Sixteen students participated in the study. This was a mixed methods action research study that used pre- and post-tests, surveys, artifacts, and interviews as data sources. Descriptive statistics, paired samples t-tests, and inductive thematic analysis were administered. Findings showed a statistically significant increase in participants’ algorithmic thinking, debugging, and pattern recognition skills but not in abstraction skills. Attitudes toward CT and CS improved but the difference was not statistically significant. Qualitative themes revealed benefits of game-based learning to promote CT skills, collaboration to promote successful error debugging, and enjoyment of programming resulting from a balance between structured guidance and creative freedom. Findings emphasize the importance of low-threshold and engaging strategies to introduce novice learners to CT and CS.

Pelatihan Pembuatan Pupuk Organik Cair dari Kotoran Sapi sebagai Upaya Pengurangan Limbah di Desa Petiyintunggal, Kecamatan Dukun, Kabupaten Gresik

Petiyintunggal Village, located on the western border of Gresik Regency, is predominantly inhabited by farmers and livestock breeders. Cattle raising is a common side activity among the residents. The livestock farming in Petiyintunggal Village is managed traditionally, focusing primarily on the sale of fattened livestock for daily needs, without addressing the environmental impact of accumulated cow dung. To address these issues, the UNISDA 2024 Thematic Real Work Lecture team conducted counseling and training on processing cow dung into beneficial products, specifically liquid organic fertilizer. This training was held in Petiyintunggal Village, Dukun District, Gresik Regency, coordinated with local farmer groups and youth organizations (Karang Taruna). The primary objective was to enhance the community's capacity to produce liquid organic fertilizer as an alternative to chemical fertilizers, utilizing cow dung waste for sustainable farming practices. The training outcomes demonstrated a significant increase in participants' knowledge and skills, approximately 80%, in processing cow dung into liquid organic fertilizer, along with positive feedback and high enthusiasm from the participants.

Penyuluhan Gemar Makan Ikan dan Demonstrasi Produk Hasil Perikanan di Desa Muntai Barat

Indonesia, as an archipelagic country with substantial fishery potential, faces challenges related to low fish consumption levels among its population. Muntai Barat Village in Bantan District, Bengkalis Regency, Riau Province, possesses significant fishery resources that remain underutilized. In response, a community service initiative comprising Fish Consumption Promotion Counseling and Fishery Product Demonstration was conducted to enhance public understanding of the importance of fish consumption and its health benefits, and to stimulate entrepreneurship and the creative economy by leveraging local fishery potential. The methods employed included interactive counseling and demonstrations of processed fish products, specifically mackerel and shrimp dumplings. Participants included 15 members of the village's women's group (PKK). The results indicated a significant increase in participants' knowledge of the nutritional content and benefits of fish, with a 45.34% improvement in post-test scores compared to pre-test results. All participants (100%) successfully created fish dumpling products, reflecting improved skills in processing fish into economically valuable products. Support from the village government in the form of business fund access for participants is expected to encourage the establishment of 3-5 fishery-based business units within six months. In conclusion, this activity effectively increased community awareness and skills in utilizing local fishery resources, potentially fostering the growth of the creative economy in the village.

Increasing knowledge and early detection of cervical cancer in women of childbearing age through IVA examination

Cervical cancer is one of the cancers that has a high prevalence in women, especially in childbearing age. Early detection through Visual Inspection of Acetic Acid (IVA) is an effective method to reduce the incidence and mortality rate due to cervical cancer. This Community Service Activity (PKM) aims to increase the knowledge of women of childbearing age about the importance of early detection of cervical cancer and facilitate IVA examinations for them. The methods used include health counseling through interactive lectures, distribution of educational materials, and the implementation of free IVA examinations. The results of the activity showed a significant increase in participants' knowledge about cervical cancer and the importance of early detection. In addition, enthusiasm and participation in IVA examinations increased, with more than 80% of participants attending undergoing examinations. This activity is expected to contribute to reducing the incidence of cervical cancer through preventive and educational efforts. A continuation of this program is the establishment of support groups in the community that will continue to promote reproductive health and early detection of cancer.

Pemberian Senam Low Impact untuk Meningkatkan Kesehatan Reproduksi bagi Remaja Siswa-Siswi SMAN 7 Malang

Adolescent reproductive health is a crucial aspect in the development of the quality of life for young generations. This community service activity aims to evaluate the effectiveness of low-impact exercise in improving reproductive health among students of SMAN 7 Malang. The method used is a participatory approach with low-impact exercise training conducted over 12 weeks. A total of 120 randomly selected students participated in this program. Reproductive health data were collected through questionnaires before and after the intervention, covering aspects such as knowledge of reproductive health, healthy living habits, and the frequency of reproductive health symptoms. Evaluation results showed a significant increase in participants' reproductive health scores after participating in the low-impact exercise program. The conclusion of this activity indicates that low-impact exercise can be an effective method in school reproductive health education programs. It is hoped that this program can be implemented routinely and become part of the physical education curriculum to improve adolescent reproductive health.

Strengthening Community Capacity Through Tsunami Education Programs in the Mangrove Community of Kebumen

Coastal communities, such as the Mangrove Community of Kebumen, face significant risks from tsunamis due to their geographical location. This community service initiative aimed to enhance tsunami disaster preparedness through education and mangrove conservation. The objectives were to improve community knowledge on tsunami mitigation and to empower locals in mangrove planting and maintenance practices. The methodology involved a structured program conducted at Pantai Sawangan, Desa Puring, involving 30 participants from the mangrove community and local residents. The activities included pre-tests, educational sessions on tsunami mitigation and mangrove conservation, and post-tests to evaluate knowledge retention. Expert-led discussions highlighted the role of mangroves as natural barriers against tsunamis. Results showed a significant increase in participants' understanding of tsunami risks and mitigation strategies post-training. Participants actively engaged in practical sessions, demonstrating enhanced skills in mangrove planting and maintenance. Feedback indicated strong community support and a desire for continued educational initiatives. In conclusion, the program effectively improved community resilience through enhanced knowledge and practical skills in disaster preparedness and mangrove conservation. Continued socialization and educational programs are recommended to sustain community involvement and deepen understanding of disaster mitigation across diverse societal groups, ensuring long-term resilience against coastal hazards.

Training IoT Development for Enhancing Search and Rescue Tracking and Educational Tools

The Internet of Things (IoT) Development Training at Universidade Oriental Timor Lorosa’e aims to address challenges in tracking search and rescue teams and enhance educational tools. This training is designed to provide an in-depth understanding of IoT technology and its applications in operational and educational contexts. The methods used include theoretical sessions, hands-on practice, and project evaluation. The evaluation results show a significant increase in participants' knowledge levels: understanding of IoT concepts increased from 40% to 85%, knowledge of IoT applications rose from 35% to 80%, the ability to use IoT devices improved from 30% to 75%, and skills in developing IoT systems advanced from 25% to 70%. The success of this training reflects the positive impact of IoT technology in enhancing participants' skills, potentially bringing long-term benefits to both fields discussed at Universidade Oriental Timor Lorosa’e.

Edukasi Keuangan Pelajar: Pengenalan Investasi Pada Generasi Z Untuk Mencapai Tujuan Keuangan

Every individual has a good life goal. One of the ways an individual can achieve their goals is through financial success. A person's intelligence in achieving financial success starts from how they can set goals, make financial plans, and manage their finances. Financial education through the introduction of investment to students will reflect financial behaviour that can affect their future welfare level. This community service was carried out at the Islamic boarding school of Tarbiyatul Banin, Dukupuntang, Cirebon Regency, by a Faculty of Economics and Business, Kuningan University team. This service aims to create a young generation that is competent in investment. The methods used in this activity include delivering financial education materials, interactive discussions, and evaluations through quizzes and questionnaires. This activity showed a significant increase in participants' understanding of the basic concepts of investment, capital markets, and the risks associated with investment. These results are expected to provide a positive contribution in preparing a younger generation that is better prepared to face financial challenges in the future.

Pendampingan Warga Binaan Rehabilitasi Narkoba Kota Banjar dalam Pemanfaatan Tanaman Lokal

This community service program aims to assist drug rehabilitation inmates in utilizing local plants such as Hangasa (Amomum dealbatum), Parahulu (Vatica scortechinii), and Honje (Toona sinensis) for health and environmental conservation. This program was conducted with a participatory approach for 1 week, involving 50 participants who received theoretical and practical training. Quantitative results showed a significant increase in participants' knowledge and skills, with an average increase of more than 28% in all aspects assessed. Qualitative results showed an increase in participants' awareness of the importance of environmental conservation and positive social impacts in the form of working group formation and community empowerment planning. In conclusion, this program was successful in increasing knowledge and skills in supporting environmental conservation. Recommendations for future implementation include developing sustainable support and increasing public education. This holistic approach has the potential to be applied in other locations to support community rehabilitation and development.

Training to increase personal potential through achievement motivation for the Inline Skate Community, Purworejo

The main objective of this activity is to increase the achievement motivation of members of the Purworejo inline skate community through structured training. Additionally, this activity aims to hone participants' interests and talents, as well as build their self-confidence. The methods used in this activity include lectures, discussions, and assessments. Assessments were conducted before and after training using Google Forms containing pre-tests and post-tests to measure changes in participants' understanding and motivation. The results of the training showed a significant increase in participants' understanding of their potential and achievement motivation. This inline skate training activity successfully increased participants' achievement motivation and self-confidence. Furthermore, these results highlight the importance of the role of parents and teachers in supporting the development of children's potential by understanding each child's learning style.

PELATIHAN KEWIRAUSAHAAN DIGITAL UNTUK PENGEMBANGAN UMKM DAN MAHASISWA DI KOTA BENGKULU

The Fourth Industrial Revolution has transformed the global business landscape with digital technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and big data, presenting challenges and opportunities for entrepreneurs, especially Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and students in Bengkulu City. This community service program aimed to address the digitalization knowledge and skills gap among these groups by enhancing their understanding of digital entrepreneurship, developing practical digital marketing skills, and supporting MSMEs' digital transformation. The training covered six main topics: understanding entrepreneurship, contemporary entrepreneurial challenges, digital technology adoption, basics of digital media (email and Google Business), basics of digital media (social media), and introduction to Online Single Submission (OSS) for business legality. Evaluation results showed a significant increase in participants' knowledge and skills in digital marketing, social media management, and technology adoption, with most participants reporting substantial benefits and improved readiness to start and manage their businesses digitally. The program not only provided immediate benefits to the participants but also contributed to MSME development in Bengkulu City by offering a training model adaptable for future initiatives, aiming to enhance MSMEs' digital capacity and prepare students for entrepreneurial ventures.

Endourology Fellowship: More Than a Stone's Throw Away for Women.

Objective: To characterize the trends in female representation in the endourology fellowship match compared with the urology residency match. Materials and Methods: Available deidentified match data from 2017 to 2022 was obtained from the American Urological Association and Endourology Society annual census data. We evaluated gender-specific participation in the urology residency and endourology fellowship match and compared differences in the trends over the last 6 years. Results: Between the years 2017 and 2021, there were a total of 313 applicants for a fellowship in endourology, and of those, only 8.6% were women. In that same time period, a significantly larger number of women (27.1%) participated in the urology residency match (p = 0.0002). When specifically examining the endourology applicant trend, there is no significant increase in participation (R = 0.7, p = 0.35) between 2017 and 2021, as compared with the significant increase in total number of applicants (R = 7.1, p = 0.04). However, in the urology match, there has been a constant and significant increase in both female (R = 13.7, p = 0.03) and total applicants (R = 27, p = 0.04) between 2017 and 2022. Conclusions: Although there has been an overall increase in the number of applicants to urology, the number of women in endourology fellowship has not increased at a commensurate rate. In light of these findings, it is the responsibility of the endourology community to identify social and systemic barriers for women in this field and advocate for change.

Evaluating Anti-Corruption Education Implementation in Village Governance - A Case Study of PKM in Cipatujah District, Tasikmalaya Regency

Community Service (PKM) is an effort to increase understanding and quality of the role of village heads and village officials incarrying out government duties at the village level. PKM activities carried out in Cipatujah District, Tasikmalaya Regency, focuson materials such as good governance, anti-corruption education, and the role of village heads as government administrators. Theevaluation results showed a significant increase in participants' understanding of the materials. The instructions provided also helpparticipants understand their roles and responsibilities as effective village leaders. These positive results indicate that PKMactivities have made a positive contribution in strengthening the role of village heads and village officials in village development.It is hoped that the understanding and enthusiasm gained from this activity will continue in daily practice, creating a village that ismore advanced, empowered and has integrity.

Enhancing interoceptive sensibility through exteroceptive–interoceptive sensory substitution

Exploring a novel approach to mental health technology, this study illuminates the intricate interplay between exteroception (the perception of the external world), and interoception (the perception of the internal world). Drawing on principles of sensory substitution, we investigated how interoceptive signals, particularly respiration, could be conveyed through exteroceptive modalities, namely vision and hearing. To this end, we developed a unique, immersive multisensory environment that translates respiratory signals in real-time into dynamic visual and auditory stimuli. The system was evaluated by employing a battery of various psychological assessments, with the findings indicating a significant increase in participants' interoceptive sensibility and an enhancement of the state of flow, signifying immersive and positive engagement with the experience. Furthermore, a correlation between these two variables emerged, revealing a bidirectional enhancement between the state of flow and interoceptive sensibility. Our research is the first to present a sensory substitution approach for substituting between interoceptive and exteroceptive senses, and specifically as a transformative method for mental health interventions, paving the way for future research.

Electric Motorbike Conversion Training to Reduce Pollution and Create A Friendly Environment For Society

Electric motorbike conversion training at Vocational High Schools (SMK) and motorbike workshops in Kotabumi, North Lampung, is a strategic step to prepare future workers to face the electricity-based transportation revolution. This study aims to evaluate the impact of training on improving the technical skills of vocational school students and motorbike repair shop mechanics, as well as analyzing the contribution of training to the adoption of environmentally friendly technology at the local level. The training method includes theoretical exposure, field practice sessions, and case studies to provide an in-depth understanding of electric motor conversion. Evaluation is carried out through practical exams and collecting feedback from participants and instructors. The research results showed a significant increase in participants' knowledge and skills regarding electric motor conversion. Adoption of this technology in local motorbike workshops is also increasing, creating the potential for reduced environmental impact and generating positive effects on the local automotive industry. The conclusion confirms that this training was successful in empowering vocational school students and motorbike repair mechanics, creating new career opportunities, and stimulating economic growth in the region. However, challenges such as adapting infrastructure and changing mindsets were also identified as areas requiring further attention. Therefore, this research provides valuable insights for further development in supporting technical education, industrial innovation and sustainability at the local level.

A structured curriculum for the acquisition of basic surgical endoscopic skills for surgical residents and quantification of skills improvement

IntroductionNew strategies and methods are needed to ensure that new generations can train and acquire surgical skills in a safe environment. Materials and methodsFrom January 2020 to October 2020, we performed a single centre, prospective observational cohort study. 19 participants (15 students, 4 residents) enrolled and 16 participants (13 students, 3 residents) successfully completed the curriculum. We performed a quantitative data analysis to evaluate its effectiveness in gaining and improving basic surgical endoscopic skills. ResultsThe time for single knot tying pre-, mid-, and post-training was reduced significantly, the average time (sec) decreased by 79.5 % (p < 0.001), the total linear distance (cm) by 74.5 % (p < 0.001) and the total angular distance (rad) by 71.7 % (p < 0.001). The average acceleration (mm/s2) increased by 20 % (p = 0.041). Additionally, the average speed increased by 23.5 % (p < 0.001), while motion smoothness (m/s3) increased by 20.4 % (p = 0.02). ConclusionThe obtained performance scores showed a significant increase in participants improving their basic surgical performance skills on the endoscopic simulator. This curriculum can be easily implemented in any surgical specialty as part of the residency training curriculum before first exposure in the operation room. All 16 participants recommended the implementation of such simulator training in their surgical training curriculum.

Optimizing the Utilization of Local Food Resources for Stunting Prevention through "MPASI" Training in Sumber Village, Simo District, Boyolali Regency.

Sumber village, located in Simo district, Boyolali regency, faces a serious stunting problem. Stunting occurs due to prolonged nutritional deficiencies during critical growth periods in children, which are closely linked to cognitive development and long-term health risks. According to the Boyolali Health Department (2024), there has been an 8.9% increase in stunting cases, amounting to 4.913 cases in the Boyolali regency, with Simo district contributing 111 cases. To address this issue, the FATIPA UNISRI Community Service Team implemented a program to enhance knowledge and skills in preparing Complementary Foods for Breast Milk (MPASI) using locally available ingredients. This training was held in two sessions. "The first initiative focuses on stunting prevention outreach, while the second involves hands-on training in preparing MPASI." The results showed a significant increase in participants' knowledge and skills regarding stunting prevention and nutritious MPASI preparation, which is expected to reduce the prevalence of stunting in the village.

Implementation pilot study of community self-testing for COVID-19 among employees of manufacturing industries and their household members in 2022 to 2023.

COVID-19 self-testing is essential for enabling individuals to self-care, screen themselves and, if positive, isolate themselves. Since 2021, COVID-19 self-tests have been extensively used in high-income countries, however, their programmatic implementation in low- and middle-income countries has been delayed. An implementation pilot, mixed-methods study, was conducted in four industrial manufacturing companies, in Kedah State between November 2022 and May 2023. Participants were asked to take COVID-19 self-tests home for themselves and their household members and to use the tests according to national guidelines. At enrolment and at the end of the study, participants completed an online sociodemographic, knowledge and satisfaction survey. Data were cleaned and analysed using SPSS Statistics V28.0. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Thematic analysis was conducted. A total of 1768 employees from four manufacturing industries enrolled in the pilot, representing 60% of the total employees and more than 50% of employees at each site. There were 40 COVID-19-positive cases detected in participants from the manufacturing industries, and 100 positive household members. Participants reported 27 invalid test results. Individuals aged 30 or less [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 2.65; 95% CI: 1.63 to 4.31; p<0.001] and males (AOR: 1.54; 95% CI: 1.09 to 2.17; p = 0.014) showed a significant higher likelihood of self-testing compared to older and female participants. Additionally, individuals who received three or more doses of a COVID-19 vaccine had higher odds of using self-tests (OR 1.56 (95% CI: 1.03 to 2.36, p = 0.037)). There was a significant increase in participants' knowledge on how to correctly collect a self-sample using a nasal swab from 36,9% at baseline to 43,6% post-implementation (p = 0.004) and correct interpretation of a positive result from 80,5% at baseline to 87,6% post-implementation (p<0.001). Furthermore, there was a notable increase in the correct understanding of actions following a positive result, especially regarding self-isolation, which rose from 59.1% to 71.9% (p<0.001). A total of 44 SSIs, and 4 FGDs with a total of 14 participants, were performed. The five main themes explored were: 1) previous experiences with COVID-19, 2) COVID-19 ST experiences during the pilot study, 3) advantages of COVID-19 ST, 4) feelings related to COVID-19 ST, 5) willingness to use COVID-19 ST again, and 6) ST for other diseases. This research shows the feasibility of a self-testing model in the community through workplaces due to participants' high acceptability to enrol and high self-tests' uptake. Lessons learnt can inform operational aspects of the introduction and scale-up of self-care strategies in low- and middle-income countries, in particular the South-East Asia region.

Association between blood methylmalonic acid and chronic kidney disease in the general US population: insights from multi-cycle National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is significantly influenced by mitochondrial dysfunction (MD). Previous research suggests that methylmalonic acid (MMA) is involved in MD. Consequently, we aimed to investigate associations between blood MMA level and the prevalence of CKD as well as mortality in patients with CKD. The study included 23,587 individuals from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The NHANES datasets from 1999-2004 and 2011-2014 were utilized as separate primary and validation subsets. There were 3,554 patients with CKD. The association of blood MMA level with the prevalence of CKD was investigated using weighted logistic regression. Meanwhile, we employed weighted Cox regression models to evaluate the association between blood MMA level and all-cause mortality in patients with CKD. Blood MMA levels had a significant positive association with urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (β=45.29, P=0.01) and negative association with estimated glomerular filtration rate (β=-15.27, P<0.001) in CKD patients. Blood MMA level exhibited a significant increase in participants with CKD compared with those without CKD (7.60±0.86 vs. 7.03±0.62, P<0.001). The level of blood MMA was significantly associated with the prevalence of CKD [odds ratio (OR): 1.32, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05-1.64, P=0.01]. In addition, blood MMA level was significantly associated with all-cause mortality in CKD participants [hazard ratio (HR): 1.26, 95% CI: 1.11-1.43, P<0.001] after adjusting for other potential predictors. Increased blood MMA levels were associated with more severe kidney impairment and increased risk of both the prevalence of CKD and mortality in participants with CKD.

Meningkatkan Motivasi Berprestasi Peserta Musabaqah Tilawatil Qur’an

Musabaqah Tilawatil Qur'an (MTQ) is an important religious competition for the Muslim community in Indonesia. However, many participants face challenges in fostering optimal achievement motivation. Observations in Tapin Regency revealed that inadequate psychological support is a major factor affecting participants' motivation. This community service activity aims to enhance the achievement motivation of MTQ participants through psychological training. The training was conducted on April 6, 2024, with 60 participants, using a workshop method that included stress management techniques, confidence building, and motivational strategies. The results were measured using pre-test and post-test questionnaires, and analysed with descriptive statistics and paired t-tests. The analysis showed a significant increase in participants' motivation and confidence, with an average increase of 15 points. A total of 75% of participants experienced a significant increase in motivation, 16.67% experienced a moderate increase, and 8.33% showed no significant change. The psychological training proved effective in enhancing the achievement motivation of MTQ participants in Tapin Regency. These results are expected to help participants achieve better performance in MTQ competitions.