Children Immunization in order to Increase the Resistance of Pneumonia by SCOPH (CITRUS)

In 2024, SCOPH CIMSA-BEM KM FK Unand continued its commitment to combating pneumonia in children by launching the second year of the “CITRUS: Children Immunization in order to Increase the Resistance of Pneumonia by SCOPH” program. This initiative was designed as a community-driven effort to address the high prevalence of pneumonia in children under five in West Sumatra. Instead of merely observing World Pneumonia Day, the program focused on implementing practical interventions, including education, outreach, and immunization campaigns, in Kelurahan Seberang Padang.

CITRUS was initiated in response to the high prevalence of pneumonia among children under five in West Sumatra, which reached 70.8% in 2022. Additionally, vaccination coverage dropped from 58.8% in 2019 to 56.6% in 2022. The program aims to raise awareness about pneumonia vaccines and increase immunization access through education and community outreach. The activities included Pre-Intervention 1 (August 31, 2024), Pre-Intervention 2 (October 18, 2024), 1st Intervention (September 14, 2024), 2nd Intervention (September 28, 2024), 3rd Intervention (October 20, 2024), and 4th Intervention (November 9, 2024).

The first intervention featured a door-to-door outreach campaign led by SCOPH members. Teams were divided into small groups to visit households and engage residents in vaccine discussions. The community welcomed the initiative warmly, though it was evident that misinformation about vaccine validity had created hesitancy. SCOPH members addressed these concerns with accurate information validated by Dr. Finny Fitry Yani, Sp—a (K), from the Pediatric Department at the Faculty of Medicine, Andalas University. The first intervention succeeded in reaching ten households with the participation of 15 members, fulfilling the program’s objectives for this phase.

Building on the first phase, the second intervention incorporated interactive and engaging activities to foster closer ties with the community. SCOPH organized fun exercises and games with prizes, promoting both physical well-being and social interaction. The residents showed enthusiasm, actively participated in the activities, and warmly welcomed the team. These activities strengthened community bonds and created a supportive environment for meaningful discussions about health.

During the third intervention, an educational session was conducted at Posyandu Anggrek VII in Seberang Padang. The “Pneumonia A-Z” session was presented by a doctor from the Pediatric Respiratory Department of RSUP, M. Djamil Padang. This activity aimed to address misconceptions about pneumonia and its prevention. The community actively participated in a group discussion and Q&A session, with the doctor clarifying lingering doubts. Five community cadres were appointed to sustain the program’s impact and ensure continued dissemination of knowledge within the Posyandu area.

The final intervention on November 6, 2024, focused on practical health measures, including child anthropometry and anamnesis. In collaboration with the Seberang Padang Health Center, pneumonia vaccines were administered to children. Members of SCOPH applied the knowledge gained during the second pre-intervention to assist in the vaccination process. Posyandu Anggrek VIII was pivotal in maintaining well-organized children’s health data records. The appointed CITRUS cadres also encouraged other parents to vaccinate their children, although vaccine hesitancy persisted among some families due to familial objections.

Through its series of interventions, the CITRUS program demonstrated the power of community engagement, education, and collaboration in addressing public health challenges. By building trust and providing accurate information, SCOPH CIMSA-BEM KM FK Unand successfully laid the foundation for reducing pneumonia prevalence among children in Kelurahan Seberang Padang.

As a testament to its success, CITRUS was awarded the title of Best Project for Period 1 in CIMSA, highlighting its impact and excellence in improving community health.