NERS NEWS – Surabaya, February 20, 2026 – Nursing Clinical Practice (PKK) students from the Faculty of Nursing, Airlangga University, conducted a health education activity at the home of a patient with tuberculosis (TB) on Friday, February 20, 2026. This activity was carried out as a form of promotive and preventive intervention in family nursing care, with the theme “Clean Living Behavior, Cough Etiquette, and Balanced Nutrition in Families with TB.”
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and transmission occurs through droplets when the patient coughs, sneezes, or speaks. Therefore, education on clean living behaviors and cough etiquette is an important step in preventing transmission to other family members.
The activity began with a brief assessment of the condition of the house, ventilation, the patient’s coughing habits, and the family’s eating patterns. Next, the students provided direct education to the patient and family members about the importance of maintaining cleanliness in the house, opening windows every morning to ensure good air circulation, regularly cleaning floors and furniture, and not spitting indiscriminately. During the coughing etiquette session, patients were taught to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or the inside of their elbow when coughing or sneezing, to dispose of tissues in a closed trash can, and to wash their hands afterwards.
In addition, students also provided education on balanced nutrition for TB patients. It was explained that consuming foods high in protein, such as eggs, fish, tempeh, and tofu, as well as vegetables and fruits, is very important for boosting immunity and speeding up the healing process. Families were also advised to ensure that patients take anti-tuberculosis drugs (OAT) regularly as recommended by health workers for optimal treatment and to prevent drug resistance.
During the activity, patients and their families were cooperative and actively asked questions. Not only that, but whenever our team visited to educate them on how to prevent transmission and recommended foods, the families were happy. Based on the evaluation, the family was able to repeat the correct coughing etiquette and mention examples of nutritionally balanced foods for TB patients. The family also expressed their commitment to implementing the habit of opening the house ventilation and supporting the patient’s medication compliance.
They were enthusiastic, actively shared stories, and responded quickly to every question while expressing positive feelings. The patient’s mother said, “I’m happy to be educated like this, because I didn’t know before.” This statement shows that our non-pharmacological intervention on education about Healthy Living, Coughing Etiquette, and Balanced Nutrition can be an effective effort in improving quality of life and achieving recovery.
This activity also received appreciation from Ners Waji, a nurse working at the Kalijudan Community Health Center. She said that our activities would have an impact on the quality of life of patients and their families, thereby encouraging patient recovery and making it more beneficial by implementing Healthy Living Behaviors, Coughing Etiquette, and Balanced Nutrition.
This activity is part of efforts to support Goal 3 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely Good Health and Well-being, particularly in controlling infectious diseases such as tuberculosis. Through education and family support, it is hoped that the risk of transmission can be reduced and the quality of life of patients improved.
Penulis: Firiyal Mitsalina
Editor: Nasya Puspita A (Airlangga Nursing Journalist)
