Empowerment of Health Cadres in Efforts to Prevent Cardiac Emergency in the Community

Abstract

Urban communities are increasingly vulnerable to coronary heart disease due to high stress levels, unhealthy lifestyles, and prolonged activity outside the home. Sudden deaths suspected to be caused by cardiac emergencies often occur during work, driving, exercise, or rest. Community involvement, particularly through the empowerment of health cadres, is essential to address this issue. This study aimed to identify the knowledge of health cadres regarding cardiac emergency prevention and to evaluate their role in promoting cardiac emergency awareness within the community. A community empowerment program was conducted in Gedangan Subdistrict, Sidoarjo, involving 50 health cadres. Activities included training on coronary heart disease and basic emergency response, distribution of educational modules, mentoring sessions, and outreach to local residents. Each cadre was assigned two community members for education and monitoring over a two-week period. Evaluation was conducted through pre- and post-tests and community feedback. Prior to the intervention, 96% of cadres had never received education on cardiac emergency symptoms, and 100% were unaware of appropriate medications or emergency actions. Post-training, cadres successfully conducted outreach, and 100% of participating residents reported improved understanding and appreciation for the cadres’ role in cardiac emergency prevention. Empowering health cadres significantly enhances community awareness and preparedness for cardiac emergencies. Their role is vital in disseminating life-saving information and fostering proactive health behavior at the grassroots level.