Education And Early Screening For Non-Communicable Diseases Among Coastal Communities In The Service Area Of The Teluk Nibung Community Health Center, Tanjungbalai City, Indonesia

Abstract

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and stroke, remain major public health challenges, particularly in communities with limited access to preventive health services. This community service activity aimed to improve knowledge and awareness of NCD prevention and early detection among coastal communities in the working area of Teluk Nibung Community Health Center, Tanjungbalai City, North Sumatra. A quantitative pre-experimental design with a one-group pretest–posttest approach was used. A total of 100 participants aged ≥18 years were selected through purposive sampling in June–July 2026. The intervention consisted of interactive health education on NCDs, risk factors, healthy lifestyles, prevention, and early detection, combined with screening of blood pressure, random blood glucose, cholesterol, and body mass index. Knowledge was assessed using a 20-item questionnaire before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a Paired Samples t-test. The results showed that participants with good knowledge increased from 14.0% before the intervention to 85.0% after the intervention, while the proportion with poor knowledge decreased from 28.0% to 0%. The mean knowledge score increased from 60.2 ± 9.8 to 88.7 ± 7.2, with a mean difference of 28.5 points (p < 0.001). The integrated health education and early NCD screening program was effective in improving participants’ knowledge and awareness. This approach has potential as a promotive and preventive strategy for strengthening NCD control in coastal communities.