Enhancing Community Knowledge on Essential Oils Through Educational Outreach in Mekarwangi Village, West Bandung
Hanifa Rahma 1, Bambang Tri Laksono 1, Taufik Muhammad Fakih 1, Farendina Suarantika 2, Vinda Maharani Patricia 2, Nurlaelatul Hadawiyah 1, Muhamad Ilham Hidayat 1

1. Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Islam Bandung, Jl. Ranggagading, Bandung 40116, Indonesia
2. Pharmacist Professional Education Study Program, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Islam Bandung, Jl. Batik Halus, Bandung 40123, Indonesia

Abstract

Essential oils are volatile aromatic compounds extractedfrom plants, widely known for their health and economicbenefits. Indonesia ranks among the worlds top producers, with over 40 types of essential oils, includingeucalyptus, citronella, clove, patchouli, ginger, nutmeg, and tamanu. Despite this rich potential, utilizationremains suboptimal, particularly in Mekarwangi Village, West Bandung Regency, due to limited public awareness. This study aimed to enhance community knowledge aboutessential oils through targeted educational outreach. A descriptive quantitative observational method wasemployed, involving 19 participants. Initial knowledge wasassessed using a pre-test questionnaire, followed by a counseling session that included informational materialsand interactive discussions led by a subject matter expert. A post-test was then administered to evaluate changes in understanding. The results demonstrated a statisticallysignificant improvement in knowledge, with averagescores increasing from 62.37&#8239-plus min&#8239-10.05 to 75.52&#8239- plus min 11.04. Notably, 63.16 percent of participants showed a qualitative shiftfrom poor to good knowledge categories. These findingsindicate that structured dissemination and counselingefforts effectively improved both the quality and quantityof public understanding regarding the use of essential oilsin Mekarwangi Village. This suggests that similarcommunity-based interventions could be a valuablestrategy for promoting the utilization of local natural resources for health and economic benefits.

Keywords: Essential oils, Community knowledge, Educational outreach, Indonesia, Quantitative improvement

Topic: Chemistry