Papua–
Poor Communication Significantly Impacts University Students’ Mental Health. The
activity, led by Ricky Lazarus Rumboiruisi, along with Izak Yesaya Samay,
Maryam Katrien Labobar, Kaida Irma Setyarini, Try Purmanasari, and Indra
Harianto Rante from the Faculty of Medicine, Cenderawasih University, was
published in the Bestari Community Service Journal (JPMB) Vol. 5 No. 2
(February 2026).
HIV/AIDS
cases among productive-age individuals in Jayapura City remain relatively high.
The limited space for discussions about reproductive health, often considered
taboo in both families and churches, results in many teenagers and young adults
receiving inaccurate information. To address this issue, the Cenderawasih
University Faculty of Medicine team held a reproductive health education
seminar at the Marthen Luther Evangelical Christian Church (GKI) in Abepura.
Reproductive
Health Education at GKI Abepura Highlights HIV Risks and Dating Apps
Jayapura
continues to record high HIV/AIDS cases among people of productive age, raising
concerns about limited reproductive health literacy among young people. In
response, a team from the Faculty of Medicine at Universitas Cenderawasih
conducted a reproductive health education seminar at the Marthen Luther
Evangelical Christian Church (GKI) Abepura.
The
initiative was led by Ricky Lazarus Rumboiruisi, Izak Yesaya Samay, Maryam
Katrien Labobar, Kaida Irma Setyarini, Try Purmanasari, and Indra Harianto
Rante. Their work was published in Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Bestari
(JPMB) Vol. 5 No. 2 (February 2026) under the title Reproductive Health
Education: Building a Healthy and Responsible Young Generation at the Marthen
Luther Evangelical Christian Church (GKI) Abepura.
The
seminar targeted teenagers and young adults within the church congregation,
aiming to build a healthy and responsible generation through accurate
reproductive health knowledge.
Jayapura’s
Ongoing HIV/AIDS Challenge
Data
from the Jayapura City Health Office indicate that most new HIV/AIDS cases
occur among individuals in their productive years. The issue is not new in
Papua. Even before widespread internet access, HIV/AIDS and sexually
transmitted infections (STIs) had already become significant public health
concerns.
The
rise of dating applications such as Tinder and MiChat has added new complexity.
These platforms facilitate rapid and anonymous interactions, increasing the
potential risk of STI transmission when not accompanied by adequate knowledge
and responsible behavior.
Although
the government took action in 2015 by closing the Tanjung Elmo localization
area in Sentani, HIV/AIDS cases in Jayapura remain high. This reality
highlights the need for continuous grassroots education.
Why
the Church Became the Platform
The
Evangelical Christian Church (GKI) in Tanah Papua is the oldest Christian
denomination in the region, with a predominantly Indigenous Papuan
congregation. Within its structure, the Youth Fellowship (Persekutuan Anggota
Muda/PAM) serves unmarried teenagers and young adults.
The
church was selected as a strategic venue because it plays a central role in
moral and spiritual formation. However, reproductive health discussions are
often considered taboo in religious and family settings.
The medical faculty team saw an opportunity to create a safe and guided discussion space that respects religious and cultural values while delivering scientific information.
Seminar
Implementation and Method
The
seminar was held on July 12, 2025, in the church hall following the worship
service. A total of 44 participants—mostly teenagers and young adults—attended
the session.
The
educational approach included:
- PowerPoint-based
presentations
- Interactive
discussions
- Open
question-and-answer sessions
Topics
covered:
- Basic
reproductive health concepts
- The
dangers of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- HIV/AIDS
prevention
- Risks
associated with dating applications
- Myths
and facts about premarital sexual behavior
The
interactive format encouraged participants to express concerns and ask
questions openly.
Breaking
the Taboo
Discussions
revealed that many participants considered reproductive health a sensitive
topic rarely discussed at home or in church. Several admitted feeling
embarrassed to ask adults about sexual health issues.
National
survey data cited in the article show that Indonesian adolescents are
increasingly open to physical intimacy during dating, yet this shift is not
always accompanied by adequate reproductive health understanding.
Participants
agreed on the need for ongoing discussion spaces within the church to ensure
access to accurate and responsible information.
Positive
Impact on Youth Awareness
The
seminar increased participants’ knowledge regarding:
- The
importance of maintaining reproductive health
- Risks
and prevention of STIs
- The
potential consequences of using dating apps
- Responsible
decision-making aligned with moral values
Participants
expressed enthusiasm and requested similar activities in the future. The
program successfully combined scientific health education with moral and
cultural sensitivity.
With
improved knowledge, young congregation members are expected to:
- Make
informed and responsible decisions
- Avoid
high-risk behaviors
- Protect
their future health and opportunities
Recommendations
for Sustainable Collaboration
The
authors recommend sustained collaboration between the church and the Faculty of
Medicine. The church is expected to serve as a long-term partner in providing
structured reproductive health education.
Education
programs facilitated by health professionals, supported by church leaders and
families, can create a supportive environment for young people to discuss
reproductive health responsibly.
The
initiative aims to transform previously taboo discussions into informed and
constructive dialogue that protects the younger generation from serious health
risks.
Author
Profiles
- Ricky
Lazarus Rumboiruisi- Universitas
Cenderawasih
- Izak
Yesaya Samay- Universitas
Cenderawasih.
- Maryam
Katrien Labobar- Universitas
Cenderawasih
- Kaida Irma Setyarini- Universitas Cenderawasih
- Try Purmanasari- Universitas Cenderawasih
- Indra Harianto Rante- Universitas Cenderawasih
Research
Source
Rumboiruisi, R. L., Samay, I. Y., Labobar, M. K., Setyarini, K. I., Purmanasari, T., & Rante, I. H. (2026). Reproductive Health Education: Building a Healthy and Responsible Young Generation at the Marthen Luther Evangelical Christian Church (GKI) Abepura. Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Bestari (JPMB), Vol. 5 No. 2, 139–144.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/jpmb.v5i2.610
URL: https://nblformosapublisher.org/index.php/jpmb
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