NERS NEWS — Efforts to improve health among the elderly are one of the important steps in preventing and controlling various health problems that commonly occur with increasing age. One of the health problems frequently found among elderly residents in RW 07, Dukuh Sutorejo Urban Village, is gout. As a form of health education and promotion in the community, students of the Nursing Profession Education Practice, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Airlangga, Groups 1, 2, and 3, Community and Family Nursing Rotation at Kalijudan Community Health Center, conducted a health education and medical check-up activity entitled “GEMAS: Gerakan Sehat Atasi Asam Urat.” The activity was held on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at the RW 07 Community Hall, Dukuh Sutorejo Urban Village, Mulyorejo District, Surabaya City, targeting elderly residents of RT 01–04, RW 07, Dukuh Sutorejo Urban Village.
This activity was conducted with the assistance of Clinical Supervisor Waji, S.Kep., Ns., as well as Academic Supervisors Dr. Makhfudli, S.Kep., Ns., M.Ked.Trop., Prof. Ferry Efendi, S.Kep., Ns., M.Sc., PhD., and Dr. Eka Misbahatul Mar’ah Has, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kep. The GEMAS (Gerakan Sehat Atasi Asam Urat) activity aimed to increase elderly people’s knowledge and awareness about gout, including its definition, risk factors, signs and symptoms, treatment, as well as prevention and management efforts. In addition to providing education, participants were also invited to practice finger and toe movement exercises as light physical activity to help maintain joint flexibility and function. As the closing of the series of activities, uric acid level examinations were conducted as an effort to screen and detect the health conditions of the elderly at an early stage
One of the health messages delivered to the elderly was the implementation of the “URAT” behavior, namely Utamakan makanan rendah purin (Prioritize low-purine foods), Rajin minum air putih (Drink plenty of water regularly), Aktif bergerak dan menjaga berat badan (Stay active and maintain body weight), and Teratur melakukan pemeriksaan kesehatan secara rutin (Undergo regular health check-ups). Participants were also provided with education regarding the restriction of high-purine foods, such as organ meats, anchovies, sardines, and shellfish, as well as the importance of physical activity according to their abilities.
Through the GEMAS: Gerakan Sehat Atasi Asam Urat activity, elderly people are expected to better understand the importance of maintaining their diet, remaining physically active, meeting their fluid needs according to their health conditions, and undergoing regular health check-ups. This activity is also expected to encourage elderly people to become more active in maintaining their health so that uric acid levels can be better controlled and the risk of recurrent gout attacks can be minimized.
Writer: Nadila Maulida
