Interactive Education on Clean and Healthy Lifestyles for Mothers of Toddlers Using the Ngemper Discussion Method

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FORMOSA NEWS - Jakarta - Ngemper Discussion Method Boosts Mothers’ Knowledge of Clean and Healthy Living Practices. An interactive education program using the “Ngemper Discussion” method significantly improved mothers’ understanding of clean and healthy living practices (PHBS), according to a 2026 study published in the Asian Journal of Community Services. The research was conducted by Louisa Ariantje Langi , Pitri Rosaria Sagala, Alifa Hasna R. Fachly, Kezia Kerenhapukh J. Ririhena, Cyndi Christine Gultom, Stephan Gilchrist, Eklesia Stefani Angelina from the Faculty of Medicine at Indonesian Christian University (UKI), involving public health experts, pediatric specialists, and medical students. The findings matter because low awareness of hygiene and sanitation remains a key driver of preventable diseases among toddlers in Indonesia. The study took place at the Hanjuang Integrated Health Post (Posyandu) in Tanah Baru Village, North Bogor District, and involved 20 mothers of toddlers. By introducing a casual, participatory discussion model, the researchers demonstrated a practical and scalable approach to improving community health education especially in settings where traditional lecture-based methods often fall short.

Why Clean and Healthy Living Education Still Matters
Clean and Healthy Living Behavior (PHBS) is widely recognized as a cornerstone of public health policy in Indonesia. It includes everyday habits such as handwashing with soap, proper waste management, safe food handling, and maintaining environmental hygiene. These behaviors are especially critical for toddlers, who are more vulnerable to infectious diseases like diarrhea, acute respiratory infections (ARI), and skin conditions. Despite ongoing public health campaigns, PHBS adoption at the household level remains inconsistent. Many families still lack access to clear, practical health information, and conventional education methods often fail to engage participants effectively. The Researcher emphasizes that mothers play a central role in shaping family health behaviors. When mothers have limited knowledge, the risk of disease in children increases. This gap highlights the need for more engaging and culturally relevant education strategies.

A Simpler, More Interactive Way to Learn
The research team introduced the “Ngemper Discussion” method, a community-based approach rooted in informal, face-to-face interaction. The term “ngemper” refers to sitting together casually often on the floor or in open spaces while discussing everyday issues in a relaxed setting.
The program combined:

• Interactive health education sessions.
• Small group discussions.
• Open question-and-answer exchanges.
• Pre-test and post-test evaluations.

Participants were encouraged to share personal experiences related to hygiene, childcare, and household practices. This approach aligns with adult learning principles, where active participation and real-life context improve understanding and retention. The researchers used a simple descriptive analysis, comparing participants’ knowledge before and after the intervention through structured questionnaires.

Clear Gains in Knowledge and Engagement
The results show a strong improvement in participants’ understanding of PHBS after the Ngemper Discussion sessions.

Key findings include:

• The proportion of mothers with “good” knowledge increased from 20% to 75%.
• The “poor” knowledge category dropped from 30% to 0%.
• The average knowledge score rose from 62.5 to 82.0.
• Overall improvement reached 19.5 points, equivalent to a 31.2% increase.

These gains were particularly evident in topics such as:

• Personal hygiene practices.
• Environmental sanitation.
• Prevention of infectious diseases.

The relaxed format encouraged participants to speak openly, ask questions, and engage more deeply with the material. Compared to traditional one-way lectures, the Ngemper Discussion method created a more inclusive and supportive learning environment. The research team from Universitas Kristen Indonesia notes that participants were not just passive recipients of information. Instead, they actively exchanged experiences and practical solutions, making the learning process more relevant and memorable.

Real-World Impact on Public Health
The findings suggest that participatory education models like Ngemper Discussion can play a crucial role in improving public health outcomes, particularly in community-based settings such as Posyandu.

In practical terms, better knowledge among mothers can lead to:

• Improved hygiene practices at home.
• Reduced risk of infectious diseases in toddlers.
• Healthier living environments.
• Greater community awareness of preventive health measures.

The study also highlights the importance of adapting education methods to local cultural contexts. Informal, dialogue-based approaches are often more effective in communities where formal instruction may feel distant or intimidating. The researchers recommend integrating the Ngemper Discussion method into routine Posyandu activities. Regular sessions such as monthly discussions could reinforce knowledge and support long-term behavior change. However, the study also acknowledges limitations. It focuses on short-term knowledge improvement and does not yet measure long-term behavioral changes. Sustained impact will require ongoing education, monitoring, and support from local health workers.

Author Profile

Louisa Ariantje Langi, SKM., MKM is a public health expert and lecturer at the Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Indonesian Christian University. Her work focuses on health promotion, community health education, and preventive healthcare strategies.

Pitri Rosaria Sagala, medical student, Indonesian Christian University

Alifa Hasna R. Fachly, medical student, Indonesian Christian University

Kezia Kerenhapukh J. Ririhena, medical student, Indonesian Christian University

Cyndi Christine Gultom, medical student, Indonesian Christian University

Stephan Gilchrist, medical student, Indonesian Christian University

Eklesia Stefani Angelina, medical student, Indonesian Christian University

dr. Christine Handayani Tampubolon, Sp.A, pediatric specialist and lecturer at Indonesian Christian University

Source
Langi, L. A., Sagala, P. R., Fachly, A. H. R., Ririhena, K. K. J., Gultom, C. C., Gilchrist, S., Angelina, E. S., & Tampubolon, C. H. (2026). Interactive Education on Clean and Healthy Lifestyles for Mothers of Toddlers Using the Ngemper Discussion Method. Asian Journal of Community Services (AJCS), Vol. 5 No. 3, 135–142.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/ajcs.v5i3.9
URL: https://journalajcs.my.id/index.php/ajcs