Sanitation and Healthy Living Behavior in Campus Boarding Houses: A Case of UINSU Medan

Abstract

Background: Poor environmental sanitation can affect students’ learning motivation, concentration, and daily activities in boarding houses. This study aimed to assess environmental sanitation facilities and healthy behaviors among students living in boarding houses around the State Islamic University of North Sumatra, Medan Tuntungan.

Method: This study used a case study approach involving 96 student boarding houses located around the Universitas Islam Negeri Sumatra Utara, Medan Tuntungan campus. Data were collected through direct interviews with boarding house residents and field observations using an observation form. The variables observed included housing conditions, clean water supply, wastewater drainage, garbage disposal facilities, and toilet availability.

Result: The majority (85.4%) of boarding houses had tiled or ceramic floors. More than half of the boarding rooms lacked adequate ventilation. Refill drinking water was the main source of drinking water for most respondents (71.9%). All boarding houses had toilet facilities. However, disease vectors such as flies, mosquitoes, rats, and cockroaches were found in 69.8% of boarding houses. Most residents did not have a smoking habit (92.7%).

Conclusion: Overall, most student boarding houses around the State Islamic University of North Sumatra, Medan Tuntungan, met the requirements for a healthy home. Nevertheless, improvements are still needed, particularly regarding ventilation and the control of disease-transmitting vectors to support a healthier living environment for students.