Promotif : Jurnal Kesehatan Masyarakat

Comparative Effectiveness of Durian Peel and Coconut Shell Charcoal Biofilters for Calcium Carbonate Reduction in Groundwater: Experimental Study in Palu City

Hamidah, Nur Rismawati — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 15:05:29 +0700

Introduction: Water hardness caused by high concentrations of calcium carbonate is a persistent problem in many groundwater-dependent communities, including Palu City, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. Excessive hardness reduces water acceptability, increases household maintenance costs, and contributes to scaling in pipes and storage systems. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of two locally available organic-waste materials—durian peel charcoal and coconut shell charcoal—as low-cost biofilter media for reducing calcium carbonate concentrations in household well water.

Method: A laboratory-based experimental design was applied using batch adsorption methods. Groundwater samples with an initial calcium carbonate concentration of 568 milligrams per litre were treated with varying masses of each adsorbent and different contact times. The study examined combinations of adsorbent mass and exposure time to determine optimal operating conditions. Calcium carbonate levels before and after treatment were measured using standard titration techniques to assess removal efficiency.

Results: The results demonstrated that both organic-waste biofilters were capable of substantially lowering hardness levels. Durian peel charcoal achieved its best performance at a moderate adsorbent mass and short contact time, showing rapid adsorption kinetics and high affinity for hardness-related ions. Coconut shell charcoal also produced significant reductions but required greater mass and longer contact time to reach optimal effectiveness. The findings confirmed that adsorption performance was nonlinear and strongly influenced by operational parameters, material characteristics, and initial contaminant concentration. Comparison of the two media indicated that each possesses distinct advantages, highlighting the importance of context-specific optimisation for practical application.

Conclusion: Overall, the study shows that transforming locally abundant agricultural wastes into biofilter media offers a feasible and affordable strategy for decentralised water treatment. The research contributes new comparative evidence on the use of durian peel and coconut shell charcoal for hardness reduction and supports their potential use in household-scale systems. If validated under field conditions, these findings may support the development of affordable household-scale strategies for improving the acceptability of drinking water in resource-limited communities.

The Effect of Stunting Reduction Acceleration Policy Implementation on Posyandu Service Utilization

Multy Syaddam Nirwan, Fadly Umar — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 10:07:00 +0700

Introduction: Stunting remains a major chronic nutritional problem in Indonesia. Sigi Regency, Central Sulawesi, experienced a significant increase in stunting cases in 2024 despite the implementation of Presidential Regulation Number 72 of 2021 on the Acceleration of Stunting Reduction, including mentoring by the Family Assistance Team (TPK). As Posyandu serve as the frontline for stunting detection and prevention, their utilization by mothers of children under five is an important indicator of policy success at the community level. This study aimed to analyze the effect of stunting reduction acceleration policy implementation on Posyandu service utilization among mothers of children under five in Palolo Subdistrict, Sigi Regency.

Methods: This cross-sectional study involved all mothers with children aged 0–59 months in Palolo Subdistrict, Sigi Regency. The sample size, calculated using the Slovin formula (10% margin of error), was 100 respondents, selected through proportionate stratified random sampling by village. Data were collected using a validated structured questionnaire and analyzed using univariate, bivariate (Chi-Square), and multivariate (multiple logistic regression) analyses.

Results: Of the 100 respondents, 62.0% were classified as routine users of Posyandu services. Good maternal knowledge (62.0%), intensive TPK/KPM mentoring (52.0%), and exposure to policy dissemination (53.0%) were each significantly associated with Posyandu utilization in the bivariate analysis (p<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that TPK/KPM mentoring had the largest effect (Adjusted OR=5.71; 95% CI: 2.07–15.78; p=0.001), followed by maternal knowledge (Adjusted OR=3.61; p=0.011), exposure to policy dissemination (Adjusted OR=3.18; p=0.018), and family support as a covariate (Adjusted OR=2.63; p=0.041), with the model explaining 48.2% of the variance in Posyandu utilization (Nagelkerke R²=0.482; classification accuracy 78.0%).

Conclusion: The implementation of the stunting reduction acceleration policy significantly affected Posyandu service utilization among mothers of children under five in Palolo Subdistrict, with TPK/KPM mentoring emerging as the most influential factor. These findings indicate that the rise in stunting cases in Sigi Regency in 2024 was associated with variation in the effectiveness of policy implementation at the field level. Strengthening TPK/KPM mentoring capacity, providing continuous education, and expanding policy dissemination are essential to improve Posyandu utilization and support the acceleration of stunting reduction.

The Effect of Basic Life Support (BHD) Training on The Skills of Grade XII Students of The Non-Nursing Program at Nusantara Vocational High School (SMK) Palu

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 11:16:35 +0700

Introduction: Basic Life Support (BLS), or Bantuan Hidup Dasar (BHD), is an essential emergency response skill that can be performed by trained laypersons before professional medical assistance arrives. Students may become first responders in school or community settings; therefore, practical BHD training is needed to improve their emergency response skills. This study aimed to determine the effect of BHD training on the skills of grade XII non-nursing students at SMK Nusantara Palu.

Methods: This study used a pre-experimental design with a one-group pre-test and post-test approach. A total of 39 grade XII non-nursing students were selected using purposive sampling. The intervention consisted of structured BHD training using explanation, demonstration, guided practice, and simulation with a cardiopulmonary resuscitation manikin. Students’ BHD skills were assessed before and after training using an observation checklist. Data were analyzed using univariate analysis and the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test.

Results: Before training, most students were in the poor skill category (59.0%). After training, the proportion of students in the good skill category increased to 66.7%, while the poor category decreased to 2.6%. The median BHD skill score increased from 52.00 before training to 84.00 after training. The Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test showed a significant difference in BHD skills before and after training (Z = -5.432; p = 0.000).

Conclusion: BHD training significantly improved the practical skills of grade XII non-nursing students at SMK Nusantara Palu. Structured BHD training should be considered as a routine school-based emergency preparedness program.