NEWS NEWS — To minimize the risk of physical infection and improve mental health outcomes, a group of Young Nurses from the Professional Nursing Education Program, Batch B27, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Airlangga (Unair), held a Hospital Health Promotion (PKRS) activity in the form of interactive counseling on the importance of personal hygiene for psychiatric patients. This educational activity, combining lectures, discussion, and practical demonstration, was held on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at the Jatayu Ward of Prof. Dr. Moeljono Hospital, Surabaya, directly targeting inpatients so they could optimally learn to care for themselves independently.
The PKRS activity was designed to be engaging and applicable so it would be easy for psychiatric patients to understand. The event began with an opening by the MC, followed by a comprehensive presentation of core material on the definition, goals, and impact of neglecting personal hygiene. Rather than simply providing theory, the Unair Young Nurses team also gave a live demonstration of proper self-care procedures. The demonstration covered the six steps of handwashing, combing hair neatly, and routine nail trimming to avoid harboring germs. After the demonstration, patients were given the opportunity to practice the hygiene movements themselves, followed by an interactive Q&A session and a comprehension evaluation before the event was formally closed.
The activity was held collaboratively on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, from 09:00 to 09:30 WIB, under the supervision and guidance of on-duty nursing staff. The PKRS activity was supervised by academic advisor Rr. Dian Tristiana, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kep., and clinical advisor Ns. Abdul Salam, S.Kep., Ns. The committee consisted of students from the Professional Nursing Program, Batch B27, Faculty of Nursing Unair, Jatayu Group 1. The presenter for this activity was Aprilia Anggi Puspita; the MC was Fianita Fitri Sa’idah; Rista Zulfidha Rindi served on the Demonstration Team; Endah Nabila S. P. and Syah Reza Alfiana N. A. acted as Facilitators; and Nur Asa Malinda served as Observer and Note-taker.
The background for this PKRS activity is based on the clinical fact that nearly 70% of patients with schizophrenia or other mental disorders experience self-care deficits due to disrupted thought processes, altered perception, and an extreme decline in inner motivation. This inability to maintain bodily hygiene has severe systemic impacts, ranging from an increased risk of skin and urinary tract infections, reduced self-confidence, worsened social isolation, to a slower clinical recovery process. Therefore, this counseling session aimed to equip patients with independent psychomotor skills so that their physical health would improve alongside their psychological condition. This activity is a tangible contribution and real support from the Faculty of Nursing, Unair, toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 on Good Health and Well-being through health promotion and prevention efforts within the hospital setting, as well as SDG 4 (Quality Education) through the provision of inclusive health education.
The conclusion of this personal hygiene counseling activity shows that an education approach based on direct demonstration is highly effective in stimulating compliance and interest in self-care among psychiatric patients. Through patient, step-by-step teaching, patients in the Jatayu Ward successfully showed improved understanding of proper bathing, hair washing, nail trimming, tooth brushing, and elimination procedures. It is hoped that similar PKRS activities can continue to be conducted regularly going forward, involving the active participation of families as the primary supervisors at home, as a real manifestation of the ongoing commitment of the Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Airlangga, to providing the best educational contributions and community service to the wider public.
Author: Fianita Fitri Sa’idah
Editor: Eva Khoirunnisa Adinta (Airlangga Nursing Journalist)
