Tomohon — A hospital-based health counseling program at Gunung Maria Hospital significantly improved patients’ and families’ knowledge about preventing nosocomial infections, according to a 2026 publication in the Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Formosa (JPMF). The program was conducted by Ake Royke Calvin Langingi, Risca Manoppo, Chintami Luciana Watak, Jisela Rapar, and Angelina Taula from Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Kesehatan Gunung Maria Tomohon. The findings show that structured education sessions can strengthen the role of patients and families in reducing infection risks during hospital treatment.
Nosocomial infections, also known as hospital-acquired infections, remain a major challenge in healthcare systems. These infections can increase treatment duration, raise medical costs, and elevate the risk of complications during hospitalization. Prevention programs often focus primarily on healthcare workers, but patients and families also play an essential role in maintaining hygiene and safety during care.
Limited public understanding of infection prevention procedures in hospital environments continues to contribute to avoidable transmission risks. Many patients and accompanying family members are unfamiliar with proper hand hygiene practices, mask use, and environmental cleanliness standards required in inpatient settings. This situation highlights the importance of accessible health education that involves patients directly in hospital safety efforts.
The counseling program was implemented in the St. Maria Joseph inpatient ward at Gunung Maria Hospital Tomohon and involved 34 participants consisting of patients and their family members. The activity combined interactive lectures, group discussions, practical demonstrations of correct handwashing techniques, and evaluation through pre-test and post-test assessments to measure improvements in knowledge.
Educational materials introduced participants to the definition of nosocomial infections, common transmission pathways, risk factors inside hospital environments, and practical prevention strategies that can be applied during hospitalization. Visual materials such as presentation slides and printed leaflets supported the delivery of information and helped participants better understand infection control procedures.
Evaluation results showed a substantial increase in participants’ knowledge after the counseling session. The average score increased from approximately 55 percent before the activity to 80 percent afterward, representing a 25 percent improvement. In addition, about 85 percent of participants answered evaluation questions correctly after the session, compared with around 50 percent before the counseling was conducted.
Participants demonstrated stronger awareness of essential preventive actions, including washing hands before touching patients, maintaining cleanliness around hospital beds, and following proper mask use guidelines. Practical demonstrations played an important role in reinforcing these behaviors and helping participants apply infection prevention measures directly.
According to Ake Royke Calvin Langingi from Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Kesehatan Gunung Maria Tomohon, patient and family participation is a critical component of hospital infection prevention systems. The research team explained that structured counseling helps transform patients and accompanying family members into active partners in maintaining safe treatment environments.
The program also contributed to positive behavioral changes among participants. Several family members reported becoming more attentive to hygiene procedures and more proactive in following hospital safety recommendations after attending the counseling session. These responses indicate that participatory health education can influence both knowledge and attitudes related to infection prevention.
Participant characteristics showed that most attendees were between 25 and 50 years old and had secondary or higher educational backgrounds. While participants with higher education levels showed faster improvements in understanding, the counseling program benefited all participants regardless of their educational background.
The study also demonstrated the effectiveness of combining lectures, demonstrations, and discussion-based learning in improving public health literacy. Visual materials such as leaflets and presentations helped simplify complex medical information and increased engagement during the counseling process.
The researchers emphasized that integrating patients and families into infection prevention strategies supports safer hospital environments and strengthens collaboration between healthcare providers and communities. Regular counseling programs are recommended as part of routine hospital services to ensure sustained awareness of infection prevention practices.
By increasing knowledge and encouraging preventive behavior, hospital-based counseling programs can contribute directly to improved patient safety outcomes. The research team from Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Kesehatan Gunung Maria Tomohon highlighted that continuous education initiatives remain essential for reducing hospital-acquired infection risks in healthcare facilities.
Author Profiles
Source
“Increasing Patient and Family Knowledge on Nosocomial Infection Prevention through Health Counseling in Hospitals,” Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Formosa (JPMF), 2026.
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