Dikir Farmasi: folk songs for health education

Abstract

In an effort to enhance public awareness, we develop Dikir Farmasi as an innovative approach to deliver health information. Dikir Farmasi combines the elements of dikir barat (a type of traditional folk song rhythm) and traditional sketches which are popular in the state of Kelantan, Malaysia. These sketches and dikir barat rhythmic songs, with lyrics touch on issues such as drug abuse and regulation are presented in an entertaining and humorous way. Health promotion messages are disseminated using Dikir Farmasi in the form of compact disks, video compact disks, stage performance, exhibition, social media, printed media (signboard, brochure and flyer).

Theater Performing Arts (TPA): Community Empowerment to Improve Blood Glucose Control Behavior in Yogyakarta

“…Patients can exchange experiences in controlling blood glucose based on their daily experiences. Based on this experience patients can increase motivation in participation to control blood glucose practice (27,28). The TPA approach is an excellent media to deliver health message since can create a relaxed and entertaining environment.…”

“…This method has effective changed the behavior. The success of the program's was influenced by the roles of each character in the play (21,27,28). In Addition, raditional music and pray as a good medium for health promotion to increase public awareness about the importance of using the right medicine (27).…”

folk-songs-for-health-education-a-qualitative-exploratory-study-among-public-and-pharmacy-enforcement-officers

“…The respondents lack exposure to DF despite the DF has been promoted in supermarket chains, private buses and taxis, 287 health facilities throughout Kelantan, the Ministry of Defence, the Election Commission of Kelantan, the Department of Information, the Universiti Malaysia Kelantan and Universiti Teknologi MARA Kelantan. [11] Another main concern of the respondents was that information conveyed by DF may not translate into actual behavioral change. The mass media are intensively employed in public health with vast sums spent annually for the production and distribution of booklets, pamphlets, exhibits, newspaper articles, and radio and television programs in the hope that three effects might occur: the learning of correct health information, the changing of health attitudes, and ultimately the change of behavior.…”

“…[10] In Malaysia, the Pharmacy Enforcement Department of Kelantan has taken initiatives to promote health education via a traditional musical form dikir barat, an innovative EE approach by introducing Dikir Farmasi (DF) as a means to promote health awareness to the public. [11] DF is a new effort to expand and intensify the dissemination of information about the regulation of the legitimate use of drugs and cosmetics. The juxtaposition of elements of entertainment with an educational message facilitates pharmacy related messages to be communicated in a livelier manner.…”

“…[8] It was is utilized as a vehicle for social commentary, to stimulate discussion on current issues and scenarios. [11,13,14] DF combines the elements of dikir barat (a type of traditional folk song rhythm) and traditional sketches from the state of Kelantan, Malaysia. [15] The DF music album, entitled "Let's use registered medicine" was produced in June 2011, consisting of four sketches, namely 1) "Processing of illegal drugs", 2) "Introduction to the service of the enforcement unit", 3) "Registration of medication", and 4) "Illegal cosmetics", as well as three dikir songs, namely 1) "Understanding the service of pharmaceutical services"; 2)"Know your medication", and 3) "Drug information".…”