Training on Developing Basil and Cajeput Extract Mosquito Repellent Spray as a Medium for Student Health Literacy Education

Abstract

Environmentally-based diseases such as dengue fever remain a public health problem in tropical regions. This study aimed to determine the health literacy levels of students at Muaro Jambi State High School 8 after participating in a training program based on a participatory and eco-health approach through the development of a mosquito repellent spray made from basil and eucalyptus extracts. The study employed a single-group design involving 40 students divided into several groups. The series of activities comprised four stages: preparation; program implementation (eco-health education, introduction to natural ingredients, and hands-on spray-making practice); completion of a health literacy questionnaire consisting of 42 statements on a 1–4 scale; and evaluation. The evaluation results showed that the students’ health literacy level after participating in the activity fell into the “good” category, with an average score of 2.98 out of 4.00, or 74.45%. The highest achievement was in the aspect of food safety at 84.72%, followed by chemicals and the environment at 77.03%, water safety at 74.31%, and air quality at 63.08%. Based on the results of this training activity, it can be concluded that training on the development of natural-ingredient-based sprays can provide contextual learning experiences and serve as an educational tool for students’ health literacy by integrating aspects of health, the environment, and the use of natural ingredients.