Written by Ong Ying Ying1 and Edna Lim1, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Edited by Associate Prof. Dr Deburra Peak Ngadan1
Photo Credits: Mohamed Redduan Bin Mohamed Atta1, Tharmalingam Rajalingam1
1Masters in Public Health, 2024/2025 – 1 (Community Medicine and Public Health Department)
Photo 1.0 Group photo with Headmaster of SMK Green Road (5th from left) and Family Health lecturers (2nd and 3rd from Left), Health Promotion and Behaviour lecturer (4th from Left) with MPH students (in red coloured shirts)
On December 13, 2024, Masters in Public Health (MPH) students from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) conducted the “Girl Talk – Empower Your Choices” program at SMK Green Road, Kuching. This impactful initiative, aligned with the Family Health course’s learning outcome (CLO3) to perform family health-related activities in the community, aimed to promote awareness of sexual and reproductive health among adolescent girls, addressing pressing issues such as teenage pregnancy and mental health challenges.
Photo 2. Ice breaking activity with the students of SMK Green Road
Empowering Adolescents with Knowledge
The “Girl Talk” programme was an innovative community health promotion project integrated into the Family Health course together with Health Promotion and Behaviour course. The primary objective was to equip secondary school girls with the tools and knowledge necessary to make informed decisions about their health. By fostering open discussions and interactive learning, the program sought to reduce teenage pregnancy rates and improve mental health outcomes in Kuching.
Dynamic Activities to Engage and Educate
The event featured several engaging and educational activities that highlighted the practical application of family health principles as well as health promotion principles:
Station 1: Flex your emotion
Through a series of games, participants were encouraged to express their emotions and thoughts. These activities promoted open communication, enabling the girls to share personal feelings and experiences in a supportive environment.
Station 2: Facts and Myths
An interactive session focused on debunking myths and reinforcing facts about sexual and reproductive health. Participants were encouraged to ask questions, fostering critical thinking and dispelling misconceptions. This station aimed to build confidence and empower informed decision-making.
Station 3: Thumb your way out
This session introduced participants to mental health support systems, emphasizing the importance of seeking help when needed. The activities highlighted the significance of mental well-being alongside physical health.
By engaging in these activities, the MPH students demonstrated their ability to design and implement family health-related interventions within the community, fulfilling CLO3.
Knowledge Evaluation and Impact
The program included pre-test and post-test assessments to measure its effectiveness. Results demonstrated a significant improvement in participants’ understanding of sexual and reproductive health topics. By creating an environment of trust and openness, the initiative successfully enhanced participants’ comfort in discussing sensitive issues.
Collaboration for a Brighter Future
The “Girl Talk” programme showcased the collaborative spirit of UNIMAS MPH students and the supportive role of SMK Green Road’s principal and staff. The Year 1 MPH students demonstrated their commitment to public health by designing and executing a project that not only educated but also empowered the next generation.
Through this initiative, the MPH students successfully fulfilled the course learning objective of performing family health-related activities in the community. Their efforts underscore UNIMAS’s dedication to addressing community health challenges through education and engagement, paving the way for healthier and more informed futures.