The Influence of Health Education on Mothers' Knowledge About Prevention of Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) in Toddlers at Majalengka Public Health Center

Abstract

Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) can be easily transmitted and if not treated immediately will cause high morbidity and mortality rates in children under five. A low level of knowledge regarding ARI in toddlers will have an impact on mothers' inability to prevent and treat children with ARI. One intervention that can be done to solve the problem of lack of knowledge is health education. This study aims to determine the effect of health education on mothers' knowledge about preventing ARI in toddlers. This type of research was quantitative and a Quasi Experimental method with a pre test-post test design. The sample in this study was 49 mothers who had ARI toddlers (1-5 years) obtained using accidental sampling technique. Data was obtained using a questionnaire and univariate analysis with the T-Test. The results of this research showed that most of the knowledge was poor (40.8%) and this increased after health education was carried out, most of the knowledge was good (46.9%). The statistical test results obtained a p value of 0.000, meaning that there is an influence of health education on mothers' knowledge about preventing ARI in toddlers. The conclusion of this research was that health education can increase knowledge about preventing ARI in toddlers. Suggestions to the community health center nurses to develop innovative and more interesting health promotion media (for example: animated videos, motion graphics, etc.). It would be better if the health promotion media can be shared widely on the internet and social media (Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, YouTube) so that people can easily access information provided by the Puskesmas.