<![CDATA[Pulmonary Tuberculosis (TB) remains the infectious disease with the highest mortality rate in Sumenep Regency, while the discovery of new cases at Pamolokan Health Center in 2025 reached only 52.6% of the national target of 90%. One key factor is the limited capacity of Posyandu cadres, who serve as the frontline in community-based health services, particularly in conducting close contact tracing. Strengthening their competence is essential to improve early TB case detection and reduce household transmission. This community service program applied a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach consisting of preparation, training, field mentoring, and evaluation. Twenty-five Posyandu cadres participated in interactive lectures, group discussions, case-based simulations, and on-the-job mentoring. Knowledge improvement was measured using pre-tests and post-tests, while skills were assessed through direct observation checklists during simulated and real field visits. The program significantly increased cadres’ knowledge, with average scores rising from 55.6% (pre-test) to 86.4% (post-test). The greatest improvement occurred in understanding close contact criteria (45%) and reporting procedures (40%). Skills also improved, with 92% of cadres demonstrating confident and structured communication during field visits and 88% successfully completing contact tracing forms accurately. Over three weeks of mentoring, cadres identified 42 close contacts from 15 TB patient households, with 38 (90.5%) agreeing to undergo examination at the health center. The combination of interactive training and on-the-job mentoring proved effective in strengthening cadres’ knowledge and practical abilities. Their social proximity to families helped reduce stigma-related barriers and improved cooperation during home visits. This approach also promoted sustainability, as cadres gained confidence to continue tracing activities with minimal supervision. ]]>
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