bio.undip.ac.id. A community service team from the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Mathematics (FSM), Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP), successfully organized a reproductive health education and enrichment program for students at SMPN 9 Semarang on Tuesday (7/4).
The initiative was specifically designed to enhance reproductive health literacy among adolescents while supporting the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, which focuses on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages.
Expert-Led Education
The program was led by Rasyidah Fauzia Ahmar, M.Si., alongside three expert lecturers: Dra. Silvana Tana, M.Si., Drs. Muhammad Anwar Djaelani, M.Kes., and Dr. Kasiyati, S.Si., M.Si..
The core educational session was delivered by Drs. Muhammad Anwar Djaelani, M.Kes., and attended by students from the Youth Scientific Group (KIR) of SMPN 9 Semarang, accompanied by their supervising teachers.
Bridging the Information Gap
Oftentimes, reproductive health education in schools remains purely conceptual. This gap frequently leads students to seek information from unverified sources, such as social media, which can result in misconceptions about their own bodily health.
In response, the UNDIP team aimed to provide a safe, structured, and participatory space for scientific discussion. The program integrated reproductive health topics with fundamental biological concepts, focusing on several key areas:
- Understanding the human reproductive system and the processes of growth and development.
- Biological changes occurring during puberty.
- Practical guides to maintaining reproductive hygiene.
- Prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and understanding the impacts of risky behavior.
Interactive Learning
The method of linking biological science with real-life adolescent experiences proved highly effective in sparking dialogue. Students enthusiastically engaged in the session, asking insightful questions to clarify information they had previously encountered.
The synergy established between the UNDIP Biology Study Program and SMPN 9 Semarang is expected to be the beginning of a long-term partnership. Such collaborations are envisioned as sustainable learning networks that foster positive health attitudes and behaviors in the younger generation.