Dr. Susanne Dida, MM, talks about the book “Healthy and Cheerful during the Pandemic: The Adventures of Jojo Anak Jatinangor”

Head of the Center for Health Communication Studies at Fikom Unpad, Dr. Susanne Dida, MM, shared information about the book “Healthy and Cheerful during the Pandemic: The Adventures of Jojo Anak Jatinangor” in the program Hard Talk of Research Results and Dissemination of Padjadjaran University on October 28, 2021. This Hard Talk entitled “Examples of Development Research with Immediate Benefits” is a program of the Directorate of Research and Community Service of Universitas Padjadjaran in collaboration with Fikom Unpad. Dr. Ira Mirawati, M.Si., participated as a host in this program.

At the beginning, the Head of the Center for Health Communication Studies (Pusdi Komkes) Fikom Unpad expressed his hope that children could understand health protocols during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Then, Mrs. Susanne and friends from Pusdi Komkes Fikom Unpad conducted research to develop a product that could realize these hopes. In the product development process, the team realized that programs aimed at children would be different from adults. Ms. Susanne said that children will tend to prefer books that have pictures in them. Finally, the Pusdi Komkes Fikom Unpad Team conducted formative research regarding what children actually need so that they can understand health protocols.

Before the birth of the hope that many children can understand health protocols, this was actually motivated by Mrs. Susanne who realized that children in Jatinangor had not received information regarding how the health protocol should be. Not to mention that currently, face-to-face learning has begun to be gradually implemented. Mrs. Susanne finally thought of making comics, as a medium that is a concrete step to be used as a provision for children in undergoing the COVID-19 Pandemic. “I involve young lecturers, Masters students, (and) Masters students,” says Ms. Susanne.

The team that participated in the development of this product consisted of young lecturers, master’s students, and undergraduate students. The Komkes team looks for students who match the skills needed, for example when the team needs a draftsman, they look for students who can draw and are willing to join this development team. When creating a product, in this case a book (comic), there is also a brainstorming process, which initially has some special notes, such as the material is simple, the language is easy to understand, and there is also local content in it.

“One the material must be simple, number two the language must be easy to understand, if possible use a language that has local content,” said the Head of Pusdi Komkes Fikom Unpad.

Next, the team tried to create a character that seemed to be an extension of Pusdi Komkes, which was then named Jojo. It is Jojolah’s role to introduce health protocols to his readers. The process of creating this Jojo character is very interesting because there are many aspects that need to be considered, from character to visualization. The team also tested with the children about which picture best suited Jojo’s character.

Before going to the field, the team also conducted trials on children who are relatives of the Komkes Team itself. During the trial, a report was also made about the children’s understanding of the book “Sehat Ceria Di Masa Pandemic: The Adventures of Jojo Anak Jatinangor”. Then the results of the report become material for improvement and development of this book.

“… make a report of what kind of arrest they had, how long it took them to finish reading this, whether they understood it or not …,” said Ms. Susanne.

From the results of the trial conducted by the Komkes Team, the book “Healthy Cheerful During the Pandemic: The Adventures of Jojo Anak Jatinangor” can be read and understood by children immediately even without the need for adult guidance.

“… so this book, this comic, it turns out that without us guiding and so on, people (can) understand,” said Ms. Susanne.

The Hard Talk Program on Research Results and Dissemination of Universitas Padjadjaran can be watched again through Universitas Padjadjaran YouTube. (NA)