UMJ Team Provides Early Childhood ISPA Education at Depok Kindergarten

The Universitas Muhammadiyah Jakarta Community Service Team (PkM UMJ) held a session on ‘Strengthening ISPA Prevention Efforts in Early Childhood’ at TK Islam Kamila Insan Cita. This was carried out through an interactive introduction to ISPA based on the Digi-ISPA-Kit. Additionally, all students were introduced to the Human Respiratory System using a mannequin at TK Islam Kamila Insan Cita, Sawangan, Depok, on Wednesday (5/8/2026).

This activity demonstrates UMJ’s tangible commitment to having an impact on society. The event, attended by students, aimed to provide children with a basic understanding of the importance of maintaining respiratory health and to introduce respiratory organs in a simple and enjoyable way. The education was conducted using interactive methods, including videos and a mannequin for introducing the human respiratory system, to make it easily understandable for early childhood learners.

During the activity, the children were introduced to respiratory organs such as the nose, throat, and lungs, as well as how the respiratory system works in the human body. They were also given an understanding of ISPA, common symptoms such as coughing and colds, and how to prevent it. The team was chaired by lecturer Thresya Febrianti, SKM, M.Epid. She stated that health education carried out from an early age can instil healthy living habits and provide meaningful experiences in children’s lives regarding maintaining health.

According to her, the PkM team implemented a practical approach so that health education is delivered in an engaging way using educational media such as the Digi-ISPA-Kit, which consists of an ISPA module, leaflets about ISPA, a ‘Healthy Child’ pin, and a snakes and ladders game with an ISPA theme. “We brought an interactive and contextual educational approach for early childhood. This snakes and ladders game is specifically designed for the introduction and prevention of ISPA, so students can play it at home with their parents,” she said.

Besides Thresya, the team was also strengthened by Dr Mizna Sabilla, SKM, M.Kes, Dr Viarti Eminita, S.Si., M.Si, and three students from the UMJ Faculty of Public Health (FKM), Zahwalia Putri, Novi Oktavia Rahayu, and Syifa Fauziah. Participant enthusiasm was high throughout the activity. The children participated in the Q&A session and the simple practical exercises provided. The teachers at TK Islam Kamila Insan Cita also welcomed the activity as it was deemed to provide tangible benefits in supporting health education at the school.

The UMJ PkM Team hopes to provide long-term benefits for students and the school in preventing ISPA in early childhood and the school environment. Furthermore, it is hoped that this activity can contribute to sustainable public health development in Indonesia. The activity is also aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), supports the fulfilment of higher education Key Performance Indicators (IKU), and is in line with the government’s Asta Cita programme.

The head of TK Islam Kamila Insan Cita, Kusmiyati, S.Pd, affirmed the school’s commitment to supporting disease prevention efforts and creating a healthy school environment. She explained that this health education activity is very beneficial for students and the school. The school supports subsequent activities such as education for teachers and parents. “So that the school can also make a real contribution to preventing ISPA and creating a healthy school environment for students,” she said.

This programme was made possible thanks to support from a Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemdiktisaintek) Grant for 2026.