Universitas Negeri Malang Community Service Team Promotes Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Its Prevention to Incense Stick Workers

The prevalence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) among workers in the incense stick industry has become a pressing concern. To combat the health risks associated with prolonged exposure to PM2.5 particles among incense stick workers, a community service project has been conducted in Malang Regency.  This project was led by Tika Dwi Tama, S.K.M., M.Epid, and included team members Mika Vernicia Humairo, S.K.M., M.P.H., and Dian Puspitaningtyas Laksana, S.K.M., M.K.K.K. from Universitas Negeri Malang.

The incense stick industry, vital to Malang Regency's economy, employs many individuals in Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). However, the production process releases fine particulate matter, including PM2.5, significantly increasing the risk of respiratory diseases such as COPD. Recognizing this health threat, the project team has developed and implemented a series of preventive measures to reduce exposure to these harmful particles.

This initiative aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being, by ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all workers. It also supports Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, by improving workplace conditions, and Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, through the development and implementation of innovative technology in the workplace.  

The efforts undertaken by the project team include the introduction of new ventilation systems, educational workshops on respiratory health, and the distribution of protective equipment to workers. These interventions are expected to lower the rates of COPD and improve overall health outcomes in the community.

Personal document, 2024