Driving Solutions Through Health Literacy: FKM UNHAS Presents at AHLA 2024
In the inevitable world of academic activities, a nation’s intellectual capacity is tested through its contribution to international scientific discourse. Hasanuddin University (UNHAS), through the Faculty of Public Health (FKM), has once again affirmed its strategic position in the regional and global knowledge map, particularly in Literacy, one of the crucial issues in Health. FKM UNHAS is actively participating in the 11th Asian Health Literacy Association (AHLA) Conference, held in Taichung, Taiwan. This conference serves as a barometer for the development of health literacy concepts and applications, brings together academics, researchers, and practitioners from a wide geographical spectrum, covering countries in Asia and Europe.
UNHAS’s participation in the 11th AHLA Conference is not merely a symbolic presence, but a tangible demonstration of the depth of research relevant to contemporary health challenges at the local, national, and global levels. The UNHAS delegation, consisting of three lecturers and ten students from the Master of Public Health Study Program and the Doctor of Public Health Study Program. Three articles were accepted for presentation in the Plenary Session highlighting the recognition of the significance of FKM UNHAS’s research findings. Prof. Dr. dr. Suriah, SKM, M.Kes, presented her research entitled ‘Health Literacy to Stimulate the Intention of Prospective Brides in Stunting Prevention’. This work is crucial for Indonesia, which is striving to achieve its national stunting prevalence reduction target. By focusing on the health literacy of prospective mothers, this research offers strategic upstream interventions, in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.2 (end all forms of malnutrition).
Meanwhile, Dr. Shanti Riskiyani, SKM, M.Kes, presented the results of her study, ‘HIV Literacy and Social Support among High-risk Groups in Makassar’. This presentation highlighted the importance of comprehensive understanding of HIV/AIDS among high-risk groups. This research not only contributes to epidemic control efforts in Makassar and Indonesia but also enriches the global discourse on the interaction between health literacy, social support, and adherence to HIV treatment/prevention.
Another presenter was Nurhaya Nurdin, a PhD student in Public Health, who contributed a systematic literature review (Scoping Review) entitled ‘A Scoping Review of Health Literacy Intervention for Informal Dementia Caregivers in Low and Middle Income Countries’. This review has significant implications for the international community, particularly in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). With the global ageing population, the burden of informal dementia care has become an urgent issue. Adequate health literacy for informal caregivers is a key factor in improving the quality of care provided to people with dementia. One additional article was presented through a Poster Presentation, complementing the academic contribution of FKM UNHAS.
The conference took place from 24 to 25 November at Chung Shan Medical University Hospital in Taichung. FKM UNHAS’s active participation in this forum strengthened international networking, opened up opportunities for cross-border research collaboration, and ensured that the curriculum and research direction at UNHAS remained relevant to global health challenges. For UNHAS, this contribution raises its international academic reputation index and strengthens its recognition as a World Class University whose research is oriented towards solutions to complex social issues. For Indonesia, the presented research can form the basis for more effective evidence-based health policies, particularly in mitigating stunting and infectious diseases.
Ultimately, this active involvement reflects the philosophy that improving health literacy is a civic imperative, where individuals’ ability to access, understand, evaluate, and apply health information effectively is an essential foundation for a resilient and competitive international community.