Efektivitas Edukasi terhadap Pengetahuan Penggunaan Alat Bantu Berjalan pada Lansia di Puskesmas Bandar Khalipah Deli Serdang

Abstract

The elderly are a vulnerable group at risk of falls, which can have serious impacts on their health and mobility, particularly for those using walking aids. Education on the proper use of walking aids can help improve elderly individuals' knowledge and skills in fall prevention. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of education on walking aid use in enhancing the knowledge of elderly individuals at the Bandar Khalipah Public Health Center, Deli Serdang. A quasi-experimental study with a one-group pretest-posttest design was employed. The research instrument consisted of a questionnaire assessing knowledge of walking aid use, administered before and after the educational intervention. The pretest results indicated a low level of knowledge among the elderly; however, a significant improvement was observed after the intervention. Not only did the number of individuals with good and excellent knowledge increase, but the proportion of those with poor and very poor knowledge also decreased. This study demonstrates that education on walking aid use is effective in improving elderly individuals' knowledge. It is recommended that continuous health education and practical training be implemented to enhance understanding and proper use of walking aids as part of fall prevention efforts