COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT POST-DISASTER AT KHOIROTUL USROH ISLAMIC BOARDING SCHOOL THROUGH SKIN DISEASE EDUCATION AND PRODUCTION OF TRANSPARENT SOAP AND RED GALANGAL (Alpinia purpurata) OINTMENT

Abstract

Floods occurring near river basins severely impact environmental sanitation and dermatological health in affected communities. Humid, overcrowded post-disaster conditions increase the incidence of skin diseases caused by fungal and bacterial infections. This community service program aimed to empower students (santri) and teachers at the Khoirotul Usroh Islamic Boarding School in Langkat Regency through skin disease prevention education and training in the production of transparent soap and topical ointment using active extracts of red galangal (Alpinia purpurata) rhizomes. The training involved 106 participants divided into two hands-on workgroups: female students (n=48), who focused on transparent soap formulation, and male students (n=58), who focused on topical ointment formulation (20-gram pots). Program evaluation included pre- and post-tests to measure knowledge acquisition, along with organoleptic quality testing of the produced preparations. Results showed an increase in average knowledge scores in both groups: the female student group recorded an average increase of 8.75 percentage points (from 74.38% to 83.13%), while the male student group recorded a 4.22 percentage point increase (from 79.66% to 83.88%); no formal inferential statistical test was conducted to confirm significance. The transparent soap began to solidify within 1 hour and fully hardened within 24 hours, yielding a clear appearance, stable foam, and pleasant fragrance. The topical ointment (20 g/pot) displayed a smooth, homogeneous texture, a cooling sensation upon application, and a distinctive herbal aroma. The school management demonstrated strong commitment to the sustainable, independent production and use of these herbal products.