Penyuluhan Edukasi Kesehatan Cara Mencegah Diare Dengan Makan Bersih Dan Cuci Tangan Di Sekolah Dasar Swasta Gereja Kristen Protestan Simalungun (GKPS) Pematangsiantar Tahun 2026

Abstract

Background: Diarrhea remains one of the leading causes of morbidity among school-age children and is closely associated with poor personal hygiene and unsafe food consumption. Health education promoting clean eating habits and proper handwashing is considered an effective preventive strategy to improve children's knowledge and healthy behaviors. Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of health education on diarrhea prevention through clean eating practices and handwashing among students at GKPS Private Elementary School, Pematangsiantar, in 2026. Methods: A quantitative study with a pre-experimental design using a one-group pretest–posttest approach was conducted. The study involved 50 elementary school students selected using total sampling. Data were collected using a structured knowledge questionnaire administered before and after the health education intervention. The intervention consisted of lectures, posters, leaflets, and demonstrations of proper handwashing techniques. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Paired Sample t-test with a significance level of 0.05. Results: The mean knowledge score increased from 61.40 ± 10.82 before the intervention to 86.20 ± 8.15 after the intervention. Statistical analysis revealed a significant improvement in students' knowledge following the health education program (p < 0.001). The findings indicate that health education effectively enhanced students' understanding of diarrhea prevention, particularly regarding clean eating habits and proper handwashing practices. Conclusion: Health education significantly improved elementary school students' knowledge of diarrhea prevention. Integrating regular health education programs into school health activities is recommended to promote sustainable clean and healthy living behaviors among school children.