REVITALIZING MULU BEBE BANANA PEEL WASTE FROM NORTH MALUKU INTO ECONOMICALLY VALUABLE HEALTH PRODUCTS THROUGH THE EMPOWERMENT OF PKK WOMEN IN JATI

Abstract

Communicable diseases such as tuberculosis (TB), acute respiratory infections (ARI), dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), and malaria remain major public health problems in Ternate City, partly due to low community awareness of Clean and Healthy Living Behaviors (Perilaku Hidup Bersih dan Sehat/PHBS). Meanwhile, the abundant waste of Mulu Bebe banana peels in the area has the potential to be utilized because it contains bioactive compounds with antibacterial and antioxidant activities. Based on these conditions, a Community Service Program (Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat/PkM) was conducted to empower members of the Family Welfare Empowerment (Pemberdayaan Kesejahteraan Keluarga/PKK) group in Jati Subdistrict through the utilization of Mulu Bebe banana peels to produce economically valuable hand sanitizer and herbal tea products. The program was implemented in five stages: (1) socialization on PHBS, the benefits of Mulu Bebe banana peels, hand sanitizer and herbal tea formulations, packaging, marketing, and business management; (2) training in the production of hand sanitizer and herbal tea, packaging design, product marketing, and business management; (3) application of appropriate technology in the production process using standardized equipment; (4) intensive assistance and evaluation through monitoring business development; and (5) program sustainability through consultation facilitation and digital promotion. The results demonstrated an increase in participants' knowledge based on comparisons between pre-test and post-test scores, with the number of participants achieving scores above 80 increasing from 19 in the pre-test to 30 in the post-test. The participants also developed practical skills in producing 50 bottles of hand sanitizer and 25 boxes of herbal tea using the appropriate formulations, as well as the ability to create attractive and marketable packaging designs. Furthermore, the participants began to demonstrate the ability to implement both digital and non-digital marketing strategies and maintain simple financial records. In conclusion, the PkM program successfully improved the participants' knowledge and enhanced their social and economic capacities. Hand sanitizer and herbal tea products derived from Mulu Bebe banana peels not only contribute to efforts to promote PHBS and prevent communicable diseases but also create opportunities for sustainable new businesses for members of the PKK group in Jati Subdistrict.