Edukasi pencegahan rabies berbasis nilai religius pada masyarakat pencinta anjing - Wega, Marianus Oktavianus; Kuwa, Maria Kornelia Ringgi; Aga, Maria Sofia Anita (JOURNAL of Public Health Concerns, 2026)
Background: Rabies is a zoonotic disease transmitted through the bite of an animal infected with the rabies virus. It has a fatality rate of nearly 100% and can potentially cause death in both humans and animals. Currently, there is no effective treatment, making post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) vaccination the only life-saving measure. Purpose: To increase knowledge and behavior regarding rabies prevention through religious-based education for religious leaders and the community. Method: Community service activities were carried out on September 12, 2025, at the Kolisia Village Office, Magepanda District, Sikka Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province, targeting 50 dog-owning families who had given informed consent. This intervention was designed as religious-based education to improve rabies prevention behavior, with an approach adapted to the social and cultural characteristics of the local community. Education was provided through a lecture method for ± 15 minutes using powerpoint media and modules, followed by discussion and questions and answers for ± 10 minutes to deepen understanding including religious-based rabies prevention behavior. Measurement of the level of knowledge and understanding of participants using a questionnaire before the educational activity (pre-test) and after the educational activity (post-test). As an evaluation of the level of knowledge, attitudes, and rabies prevention behavior by comparing the pre-test and post-test scores. Results: The pre-test showed that community behavior regarding rabies prevention was generally in the adequate category, with knowledge at 72%, attitudes at 78%, and actions at 90%. After 30 minutes of education and discussion, the post-test results showed an increase, with knowledge in the good category at 42%, attitudes at 30%, and actions at 30%. Conclusion: Religious-based education has proven effective in improving rabies prevention behavior in communities in endemic areas, and therefore can be a promotive and preventive strategy for rabies control in the community. Suggestion: It is hoped that religious-based rabies prevention education activities can be implemented sustainably and expanded in scope by involving more religious leaders, health workers, and relevant cross-sectors. Keywords: Health education; Public health; Rabies prevention; Religious approach Pendahuluan: Rabies merupakan penyakit zoonotik yang ditularkan melalui gigitan hewan yang terinfeksi virus rabies dengan tingkat fatalitas hampir 100% serta berpotensi menyebabkan kematian pada manusia maupun hewan. Hingga saat ini, belum tersedia pengobatan yang efektif sehingga vaksinasi pasca pajanan (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis/PEP) menjadi satu-satunya upaya penyelamatan. Tujuan: Meningkatkan pengetahuan dan perilaku pencegahan rabies melalui edukasi berbasis nilai religius kepada tokoh agama dan masyarakat. Metode: Kegiatan pengabdian kepada masyarakat dilaksanakan pada 12 September 2025 di Kantor Desa Kolisia, Kecamatan Magepanda, Kabupaten Sikka, Provinsi Nusa Tenggara Timur dengan sasaran 50 kepala keluarga pemilik anjing yang sudah memberikan persetujuan (informed consent). Intervensi ini dirancang sebagai edukasi berbasis nilai religius untuk meningkatkan perilaku pencegahan rabies, dengan pendekatan yang disesuaikan pada karakteristik sosial dan budaya masyarakat setempat. Edukasi diberikan melalui metode ceramah selama ±15 menit menggunakan media powerpoint dan modul, kemudian dilanjutkan diskusi serta tanya jawab selama ±10 menit untuk memperdalam pemahaman meliputi perilaku pencegahan rabies berbasis nilai religius. Pengukuran tingkat pengetahuan dan pemahaman peserta menggunakan kuesioner sebelum kegiatan edukasi (pre-test) dan sesudah kegiatan edukasi (post-test). Sebagai evaluasi tingkat pengetahuan, sikap, dan perilaku pencegahan rabies dengan membandingkan antara skor pre-test dan post-test. Hasil: Pre-test menunjukkan bahwa perilaku masyarakat dalam pencegahan rabies rata-rata berada pada kategori cukup, dengan pengetahuan 72%, sikap 78%, dan tindakan 90%. Setelah diberikan edukasi dan diskusi selama 30 menit, hasil post-test memperlihatkan adanya peningkatan, yaitu pengetahuan kategori baik sebesar 42%, sikap baik 30%, dan tindakan baik 30%. Simpulan: Edukasi berbasis nilai religius terbukti efektif dalam meningkatkan perilaku pencegahan rabies pada masyarakat di wilayah endemis, sehingga dapat menjadi salah satu strategi promotive dan preventive dalam pengendalian rabies di masyarakat. Saran: Diharapkan kegiatan edukasi pencegahan rabies berbasis nilai religius dapat dilaksanakan secara berkelanjutan serta diperluas cakupannya dengan melibatkan lebih banyak tokoh agama, kader kesehatan, dan lintas sektor terkait.