Pengaruh Edukasi Kesehatan terhadap Penggunaan Dexamethasone dan Cyproheptadine sebagai Penambah Nafsu Makan pada Remaja

Abstrak

Inappropriate use of prescription drugs for non-medical purposes remains a public health concern among adolescents, particularly the use of dexamethasone and cyproheptadine as appetite stimulants. These drugs pose potential health risks when used without proper medical supervision. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of health education on adolescents’ knowledge and attitudes regarding the use of dexamethasone and cyproheptadine as appetite enhancers. A quantitative quasi-experimental study with a one-group pretest–posttest design was conducted among 30 adolescents aged 14–19 years in Aikmel Village, East Lombok, Indonesia, who had previously used or were currently using these drugs for appetite stimulation. Health education was delivered through lectures supported by leaflets containing information on drug indications, side effects, and rational use. Knowledge and attitude were measured using validated and reliable questionnaires before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The results showed a significant increase in knowledge scores from a median of 2 (range 2–5) at pretest to 9 (range 7–10) at posttest (p < 0.001). Attitude scores also significantly improved from a median of 23 (range 20–25) to 39 (range 37–40) after the intervention (p < 0.001). These findings indicate that health education using lectures and leaflets effectively improves adolescents’ understanding and attitudes toward rational drug use. In conclusion, structured health education significantly enhances knowledge and promotes more appropriate attitudes regarding the use of dexamethasone and cyproheptadine, suggesting its potential as a preventive strategy to reduce irrational drug use among adolescents.