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Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 20 views

Knowledge, Perception, and Use of Traditional Medicine as an Effort to Self-Medication in the Community in Tukka District, Central Tapanuli Regency

Introduction

In an effort to improve health, people often conduct self-medication, namely the selection and use of drugs to treat the symptoms of the disease independently. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), self-medication is an important action that reflects individual health behavior. In Tukka District, Central Tapanuli Regency, the use of traditional medicine in the context of self-medication is an interesting phenomenon to be examined, especially in terms of knowledge, perceptions, and habits of the use of the drugs by the community. Traditional medicine has been used for centuries in many parts of the world, including Indonesia, as a means of treating various health conditions. However, the use of traditional medicine in self-medication practices has raised concerns about its safety and effectiveness.

The Importance of Self-Medication

Self-medication is a common practice in many communities, including in Tukka District, Central Tapanuli Regency. According to the WHO, self-medication is an important action that reflects individual health behavior. It is estimated that up to 70% of people in developing countries use traditional medicine as a means of treating various health conditions. In Indonesia, traditional medicine is widely used, and it is estimated that up to 80% of the population uses traditional medicine as a means of treating various health conditions.

Research Purposes

This study aims to determine the level of knowledge, perception, and use of traditional medicines by the community in Tukka District as an effort to self-medication. By understanding this, it is hoped that the factors that affect public health behavior can be identified and provide useful information for the development of community-based health services. The study also aims to examine the relationship between demographic factors, such as education level and type of work, and the level of community knowledge about traditional medicine.

Research Methods

This study used a descriptive cross-sectional method and was conducted in February-March 2021. The location of the study was in Tukka District, Central Tapanuli Regency, with a sample of 389 respondents. Sampling was carried out through observation and use of questionnaires designed to measure the knowledge, perception, and use of drugs by multiple choice methods. The data obtained were analyzed statistically using the Univariate and Bivariate methods with the Chi-Square test through the SPSS 22 program at the 95% confidence level.

Research Result

The results showed that of 389 respondents, 339 respondents (87.1%) had good knowledge about traditional medicine, while 40 respondents (10.3%) had moderate knowledge and 10 respondents (2.6%) had poor knowledge. Public perception of drug use shows that the majority of respondents have a positive view and have utilized traditional medicine in self-medication practices. This study also found that demographic factors such as the level of education and the type of work affect people's knowledge (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that the community in Tukka District, Central Tapanuli Regency, has knowledge, perception, and the use of good traditional medicine as an effort to self-medication. Demographic factors, such as education level and type of work, are proven to affect the level of community knowledge. This shows the importance of better health education to increase the understanding and use of drugs safely and effectively in society.

Implications of the Study

The study has several implications for the development of community-based health services. Firstly, it highlights the importance of health education in increasing the understanding and use of traditional medicine safely and effectively in society. Secondly, it emphasizes the need for policymakers to develop policies that support the use of traditional medicine in self-medication practices. Finally, it suggests that further research is needed to examine the relationship between traditional medicine and self-medication practices in other communities.

Recommendations

Based on the results of the study, the following recommendations are made:

Health education: Health education programs should be developed to increase the understanding and use of traditional medicine safely and effectively in society.
Policymaking: Policymakers should develop policies that support the use of traditional medicine in self-medication practices.
Further research: Further research is needed to examine the relationship between traditional medicine and self-medication practices in other communities.

Limitations of the Study

The study has several limitations. Firstly, the study was conducted in a single district, and the results may not be generalizable to other communities. Secondly, the study used a descriptive cross-sectional method, which may not be able to capture the dynamic nature of self-medication practices. Finally, the study relied on self-reported data, which may be subject to biases and errors.

Future Research Directions

The study has several future research directions. Firstly, further research is needed to examine the relationship between traditional medicine and self-medication practices in other communities. Secondly, the study should be replicated in other districts to examine the generalizability of the results. Finally, the study should be extended to examine the impact of traditional medicine on public health outcomes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the study found that the community in Tukka District, Central Tapanuli Regency, has knowledge, perception, and the use of good traditional medicine as an effort to self-medication. Demographic factors, such as education level and type of work, are proven to affect the level of community knowledge. The study has several implications for the development of community-based health services, and several recommendations are made to address the limitations of the study.
Q&A: Knowledge, Perception, and Use of Traditional Medicine as an Effort to Self-Medication in the Community in Tukka District, Central Tapanuli Regency

Q: What is traditional medicine, and how is it used in self-medication practices?

A: Traditional medicine refers to the use of plants, animals, and other natural substances to treat various health conditions. In self-medication practices, traditional medicine is used to treat symptoms of diseases independently, without the guidance of a healthcare professional.

Q: What is the significance of self-medication in the community?

A: Self-medication is a common practice in many communities, including in Tukka District, Central Tapanuli Regency. It is estimated that up to 70% of people in developing countries use traditional medicine as a means of treating various health conditions.

Q: What are the benefits of using traditional medicine in self-medication practices?

A: Traditional medicine has been used for centuries in many parts of the world, including Indonesia, as a means of treating various health conditions. Some of the benefits of using traditional medicine in self-medication practices include:

Accessibility: Traditional medicine is often readily available and accessible to people in rural areas.
Affordability: Traditional medicine is often less expensive than modern medicine.
Cultural significance: Traditional medicine is often an integral part of a community's cultural heritage.

Q: What are the risks associated with using traditional medicine in self-medication practices?

A: While traditional medicine can be beneficial, there are also risks associated with its use in self-medication practices. Some of the risks include:

Safety: Traditional medicine can be toxic or cause adverse reactions if not used properly.
Effectiveness: Traditional medicine may not be effective in treating certain health conditions.
Interactions: Traditional medicine can interact with modern medicine, leading to adverse reactions.

Q: What are the demographic factors that affect the level of community knowledge about traditional medicine?

A: The study found that demographic factors such as education level and type of work affect people's knowledge about traditional medicine. For example, people with higher levels of education and those who work in healthcare professions tend to have better knowledge about traditional medicine.

Q: What are the implications of the study for the development of community-based health services?

A: The study has several implications for the development of community-based health services. Firstly, it highlights the importance of health education in increasing the understanding and use of traditional medicine safely and effectively in society. Secondly, it emphasizes the need for policymakers to develop policies that support the use of traditional medicine in self-medication practices.

Q: What are the recommendations of the study for policymakers and healthcare professionals?

A: The study recommends that policymakers and healthcare professionals:

Develop health education programs: Develop health education programs to increase the understanding and use of traditional medicine safely and effectively in society.
Develop policies: Develop policies that support the use of traditional medicine in self-medication practices.
Conduct further research: Conduct further research to examine the relationship between traditional medicine and self-medication practices in other communities.

Q: What are the limitations of the study?

A: The study has several limitations, including:

Single district: The study was conducted in a single district, and the results may not be generalizable to other communities.
Descriptive cross-sectional method: The study used a descriptive cross-sectional method, which may not be able to capture the dynamic nature of self-medication practices.
Self-reported data: The study relied on self-reported data, which may be subject to biases and errors.

Q: What are the future research directions of the study?

A: The study has several future research directions, including:

Replication: Replicate the study in other districts to examine the generalizability of the results.
Extension: Extend the study to examine the impact of traditional medicine on public health outcomes.
Further research: Conduct further research to examine the relationship between traditional medicine and self-medication practices in other communities.