Rr. Sri Endang Pujiastutia, Sudarmin, Reza Akmar, Agung Tri Prasetya, Aurima Hanun Kusuma, Ike Puspatiningrum
Nginang, or chewing betel quid in Indonesia, is part of ethnonursing related to healthy living habits, particularly in maintaining dental, gum, and oral health. The purpose of this study is to analyze the culture of chewing betel quid in the context of ethno-STEM and its implications for nursing research management. This study employed a qualitative descriptive method to explore the traditional knowledge and practices surrounding nginang. Data were collected through observations and interviews with three practitioners of nginang from Java and Lombok. The results showed that the majority of students do not have prior experience or the necessary knowledge of the practice of nginang; however, they viewed the potential for nursing practice education. It is also indicated that nginang has the potential to strengthen teeth and increase immunity against oral and gum health disorders. This is due to the content of bioactive compounds in betel quid, which possess antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, as well as the presence of calcium (Ca) and potassium (K) ions that contribute to strengthening the tooth structure. During the chewing process, various chemical reactions occur and active substances are extracted that contribute to the body's defense mechanisms in the oral area. The implications of these findings opened opportunities for the integration of cultural and traditional practices in formal nursing education, enriching students with transcultural nursing. The findings also opened further research opportunities on the bioactive activities of compounds in betel quid, other health benefits of nginang, and efforts to preserve local cultural values in support of public health. © Copyright (c) 2025 The Authors. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/.
Politeknik Kesehatan Kemenkes Semarang, Indonesia; Universitas Negeri Semarang, Indonesia; Puskesmas Tambak Semarang, Indonesia; Politeknik Negeri Indramayu, Indonesia
