Increasing immunity during the COVID-19 pandemic by strengthening the effects of clean and healthy life behavior (PHBS) and vegetable eating movement (Germasur) education on Omah Berkah Orphanage Children, Grabag, Magelang Regency

Abstract

The coronavirus (COVID-19) is a high infectious disease that was discovered towards the end of 2019 in Wuhan, China. Indonesia has reported an increasing rate of the virus. However, the pandemic is possibly prevented by boosting immunity and implementing Clean and Healthy Life Behavior (PHBS), including consuming fruits/vegetable and washing of hands, respectively. As a consequence, PHBS and Germasur (Vegetable Eating Movement) have been adopted to enhance immunity in children. Meanwhile, fruit/vegetable intake and maintaining cleanliness appear relatively challenging for most children, particularly in the context of orphanage. Therefore, the purpose of this integrated community service (PPMT) is to determine the effects of PHBS and Germasur education in increasing the immunity of 24 children at the Omah Berkah Orphanage, Grabag, Magelang Regency, during the COVID-19 era. Community development, educational and participatory research methods were applied. The results showed an increase in PHBS and Germasur behavior in everyday life.