Makassar – The Community Service Team of the Faculty of Nursing, Hasanuddin University, in collaboration with the Antara Community Health Center in Makassar City, implemented the DiabNurse Care Program, a mindfulness training program to empower people with diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension. This activity was initiated in response to the increasing number of DM sufferers in South Sulawesi, who require serious attention in managing this chronic disease.
This program utilizes a health coaching and mindfulness approach to support and improve the quality of life of people with DM and hypertension. This activity is part of an internal Community Service grant from the Faculty of Nursing, Hasanuddin University, supported by the Directorate of Research, Technology, and Community Service, Directorate General of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Ministry of Education and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia.
Led by Dr. Nuurhidayat Jafar, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kep., the activity was attended by over 40 participants. The event began with a pre-activity check of weight (BB), height (TB), and body mass index (BMI), followed by a blood pressure measurement. This was followed by a presentation on factors contributing to diabetes management failure, the importance of diet, and a healthy lifestyle. Ms. Nurlaila Fitriani, S.Kep., M.Kep., Sp.Kep.J., also presented stress management strategies and demonstrated relaxation techniques. Ms. Marce Marghareta Takumansang, S.Kep., M.Kep., introduced mindfulness breathing techniques for maintaining mental and physical health, along with a live demonstration of effective mindfulness breathing.
Following the presentation, participants completed the Diabetes Knowledge Questionnaire (DKQ-24) to assess the knowledge of people with diabetes and hypertension regarding their illnesses. The Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS-17) also measured the level of stress experienced by sufferers during their diabetes. Participants also completed a questionnaire provided by the Antara Community Health Center for Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Screening. Door prizes were also distributed as a break from the activity.
At the end of the activity, participants’ blood pressure was measured again after the mindfulness breathing demonstration to determine any differences between pre- and post-demonstration. Random blood sugar (RBG) levels were also measured. Through this program, it is hoped that people with diabetes and hypertension will be able to improve their mindfulness breathing and stress management skills while maintaining a healthy lifestyle, thereby improving the quality of life for those with diabetes and hypertension in the work area of the Antara Community Health Center in Makassar City.
