The Influence of Health Counseling on the Knowledge and Attitudes of Elementary School Students in Preventing Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever in Medan Denai District
Introduction
Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is a significant public health problem in Indonesia, causing broad social and economic impacts and being closely related to human behavior. In Medan, DHF is an endemic disease that experiences an increase in the number of cases every year. Various prevention efforts have been carried out, including health counseling activities, although the results achieved are still less optimal. This study aims to analyze the effect of health counseling on the knowledge and attitudes of elementary school students in efforts to prevent dengue hemorrhagic fever.
Background of the Study
Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is a mosquito-borne disease that is prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, including Indonesia. The disease is caused by the dengue virus, which is transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. DHF can cause severe symptoms, including high fever, hemorrhaging, and even death. In Indonesia, DHF is a significant public health problem, with a high incidence rate and a high mortality rate.
Methodology
This study used a pseudo-experiment (quasi-experiment) with pre-test and post-test designs in the control group. The study involved 105 fifth-grade students at SD Negeri 060910, which was divided into three groups: one group received once counseling, one more group, and the third group without treatment. Through a systematic stage, all groups underwent pre-test, followed by health counseling for the treatment group, and ended with a post-test.
Results
The results of the analysis showed a significant difference in the value of students' knowledge and attitudes before and after counseling, with p = 0,000. By using multiple linear regression tests, it was found that counseling material had the greatest influence on increasing knowledge (b = 0.590 and p = 0,000) and attitude (value B = 0.154 and p = 0.039) in groups that received counseling once. Whereas for groups that get counseling twice, counseling material also shows a significant effect on increasing knowledge (b = 0.635 and p = 0,000), while the most influential counseling media in changing student attitudes (b = 0.524 and p = 0.001).
Discussion
The results of this study indicate that health counseling has a significant effect on increasing the knowledge and attitudes of elementary school students in preventing dengue hemorrhagic fever. The study also found that counseling material has the greatest influence on increasing knowledge and attitude in groups that received counseling once. However, for groups that get counseling twice, counseling material also shows a significant effect on increasing knowledge, while the most influential counseling media in changing student attitudes.
Conclusion
Based on the results of this study, it is recommended that the Medan City Health Office, especially health workers, carry out counseling more than twice. This aims to stimulate changes in the attitudes and knowledge of elementary school students, so that they are expected to be able to take DHF prevention measures in their school and home environment. With a more intensive approach, it is expected that health counseling can contribute significantly in reducing the incidence of DHF, and overall increasing public awareness of the importance of preventing this disease.
Recommendations
DHF prevention not only depends on counseling, but also requires active involvement of all elements of society. Encourage students to share the knowledge gained with their friends and families can create a positive domino effect. Through collaboration between schools, parents, and health workers, it is hoped that health counseling can achieve broader and more effective goals in eradicating the spread of dengue hemorrhagic fever in endemic areas such as Medan Denai District.
Limitations of the Study
This study has several limitations. Firstly, the study only involved 105 fifth-grade students, which may not be representative of the entire population of elementary school students in Medan Denai District. Secondly, the study only used a pseudo-experiment (quasi-experiment) design, which may not be as effective as a true experiment design. Finally, the study only measured the effect of health counseling on knowledge and attitudes, and did not measure the effect on behavior.
Future Research Directions
Future research should aim to investigate the effect of health counseling on behavior, as well as the effect of health counseling on other outcomes, such as academic performance and social skills. Additionally, future research should aim to investigate the effect of health counseling on different populations, such as high school students and adults.
References
World Health Organization. (2019). Dengue.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Dengue.
Ministry of Health of Indonesia. (2020). Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever.
Medan City Health Office. (2020). Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever Prevention and Control.
Appendix
Table 1: Demographic characteristics of the participants
Table 2: Knowledge and attitude scores before and after counseling
Table 3: Multiple linear regression analysis results
Figure 1: Flowchart of the study design
Figure 2: Knowledge and attitude scores before and after counselingFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Influence of Health Counseling on the Knowledge and Attitudes of Elementary School Students in Preventing Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever in Medan Denai District
Q: What is Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF)?
A: Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is a mosquito-borne disease that is prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, including Indonesia. The disease is caused by the dengue virus, which is transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito.
Q: Why is DHF a significant public health problem in Indonesia?
A: DHF is a significant public health problem in Indonesia because it causes broad social and economic impacts, and is closely related to human behavior. In Medan, DHF is an endemic disease that experiences an increase in the number of cases every year.
Q: What is the purpose of this study?
A: The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of health counseling on the knowledge and attitudes of elementary school students in efforts to prevent dengue hemorrhagic fever.
Q: What method was used in this study?
A: This study used a pseudo-experiment (quasi-experiment) with pre-test and post-test designs in the control group. The study involved 105 fifth-grade students at SD Negeri 060910, which was divided into three groups: one group received once counseling, one more group, and the third group without treatment.
Q: What were the results of the analysis?
A: The results of the analysis showed a significant difference in the value of students' knowledge and attitudes before and after counseling, with p = 0,000. By using multiple linear regression tests, it was found that counseling material had the greatest influence on increasing knowledge (b = 0.590 and p = 0,000) and attitude (value B = 0.154 and p = 0.039) in groups that received counseling once.
Q: What are the implications of this study?
A: The implications of this study are that health counseling has a significant effect on increasing the knowledge and attitudes of elementary school students in preventing dengue hemorrhagic fever. The study also found that counseling material has the greatest influence on increasing knowledge and attitude in groups that received counseling once.
Q: What are the recommendations of this study?
A: Based on the results of this study, it is recommended that the Medan City Health Office, especially health workers, carry out counseling more than twice. This aims to stimulate changes in the attitudes and knowledge of elementary school students, so that they are expected to be able to take DHF prevention measures in their school and home environment.
Q: What are the limitations of this study?
A: This study has several limitations. Firstly, the study only involved 105 fifth-grade students, which may not be representative of the entire population of elementary school students in Medan Denai District. Secondly, the study only used a pseudo-experiment (quasi-experiment) design, which may not be as effective as a true experiment design. Finally, the study only measured the effect of health counseling on knowledge and attitudes, and did not measure the effect on behavior.
Q: What are the future research directions?
A: Future research should aim to investigate the effect of health counseling on behavior, as well as the effect of health counseling on other outcomes, such as academic performance and social skills. Additionally, future research should aim to investigate the effect of health counseling on different populations, such as high school students and adults.
Q: What are the references used in this study?
A: The references used in this study include World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Ministry of Health of Indonesia, and Medan City Health Office.
Q: What is the appendix of this study?
A: The appendix of this study includes Table 1: Demographic characteristics of the participants, Table 2: Knowledge and attitude scores before and after counseling, Table 3: Multiple linear regression analysis results, Figure 1: Flowchart of the study design, and Figure 2: Knowledge and attitude scores before and after counseling.