The Relationship Between Education Level and Public Knowledge of Malaria in East Seram Regency, Maluku

Nathalie Elizcheva Kailola; Theresia Natalia Seimahuira; Jerome Constantine Lekatompessy

doi:10.56741/IISTR.jphs.001196

Authors

Nathalie Elizcheva Kailola
kailola.nat@gmail.com
Pattimura University
Theresia Natalia Seimahuira Pattimura University
Jerome Constantine Lekatompessy Pattimura University

Keywords:

Malaria, Education attaintment, Community knowledge, Health Literacy, Healthcare Facilities

Abstract

Malaria remains a significant public health challenge in tropical regions, including East Seram Regency in Maluku Province, which continues to experience high malaria endemicity. Community education plays a vital role in shaping health literacy and malaria knowledge. This cross-sectional study examined the association between education level and malaria knowledge among 253 randomly selected respondents using a validated questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis examined the relationship between education, healthcare facility visits, and malaria knowledge. The findings indicated that higher education level was strongly associated with better malaria knowledge (OR=6.93; 95% CI: 1.89–25.45; p=0.003). Respondents who had visited health facilities were more likely to have good malaria knowledge (OR=2.45; 95% CI: 1.38–2.90; p=0.001). Other variables, including gender, marital status, income, and age, were not statistically significant after adjustment. To reduce malaria burden, scalable interventions should prioritize educational outreach and improve access to quality health services. Integrating these strategies into regional malaria control programs can enhance community health literacy and support sustainable prevention efforts.

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Author Biographies

Nathalie Elizcheva Kailola, Pattimura University

Nathalie Elischeva Kailola is an educational scientist and a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Pattimura. In addition to her role as a lecturer, she also serves as a health center and clinic assessor. Beyond her primary academic duties, she also teaches at the Faculty of Agriculture, in the Environmental Science Department at Universitas Pattimura. Furthermore, she lectures at the Pasapua College of Health Sciences (STIKes Pasapua). (email:kailola.nat@gmail.com).

Theresia Natalia Seimahuira, Pattimura University

Theresia Natalia Seimahuira is an education scientist, senior lecturer of The Faculty of Medicine at Pattimura University. In addition to her role as a lecturer, she is also employed as a speaker and public educator at a multilevel marketing company. In addition to her primary appointment, she also serves as a member of faculty at several institutions, including the Faculty of Science and Technology at Pattimura University. Furthermore, she fulfils the role of reviewer for a number of accredited journals. (email: theresianatalia1030@gmail.com).

Jerome Constantine Lekatompessy , Pattimura University

Jerome Constantine Lekatompessy is a lecturer and researcher at the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Pattimura. His academic and research interests focus on neurology and neuro public health, with a particular emphasis on health systems in Eastern Indonesia. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, he actively contributes to collaborative research projects and policy-focused studies. He also serves as a reviewer for several accredited journals and international scientific conferences. (email: jerome.lekatompessy@lecturer.unpatti.ac.id)

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