The Role of Clean and Healthy Behavior in Prevention of Acute Respiratory Infection in South Tagulandang District, Sitaro Islands Regency

Abstract

Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) is still a public health problem in Indonesia, specifically in the islands. Data shows that this disease is most prominent in the Sitaro Islands Regency. Risk factors known are environmental factors, individual factors, and behavioral factors. The aim of this study was to determine the level of public knowledge about Clean and Healthy Behavior (CHB) also to increase and develop awareness about prevention of ARI through CHB counseling in South Tagulandang District. The study design was quasi experimental research and conducted in 6 villages located in the South Tagulandang District. The number of samples are 106 respondents with proportional random sampling. This study used pre-test and post-test questionnaires to measure the level of knowledge before and after counseling. Data were analyzed with univariate and bivariate analysis (paired t-test). Results showed that before counseling, most respondents were at the "poor" level amounted to 67 people (63.2%) and after counseling, as many as 84 respondents (79.2%) were at "good" level of knowledge. The paired t-test results found p value of 0.000 with a moderate correlation (r = 0.561), so there were significant differences before and after counseling in the community of South Tagulandang District. We recommend the District Health Office and local health centers should be more active in organizing Health Promotion Program, especially the Clean and Healthy Behavior and provide more media of health promotion for the community.

Primary School Student Online Video Competition Model to Improve Six Steps Handwashing Ability to Prevent Upper Tract Infection

“…In previous studies, it was only effective in children under six years of age [11]. Another prevention is providing health education to the public regarding clean and healthy living habits [12]. Personal hygiene and protection are the most important to prevent the spread of respiratory infections, such as washing hands and wearing masks [13].…”