Aceh Province had the highest rate of leprosy in Indonesia; in 2014, 436 new Multibacillary cases were reported. Nagan Raya was the District in Aceh with the highest number of cases; new cases in 2015 comprised 26 with Paucibacillary (PB) and 21 with Multibacillary (MB) with a total of 4.26% with Grade II disability. The phenomena of handling and treatment by the people in Nagan Raya involve treatment by traditional healers, “Tabib”, to treat the leprosy, with treatments known as Peundang locally. The purpose of this study was to find out and to take steps to improve the effectiveness of the Tabib in controlling leprosy in Nagan Raya. The main object of this study, which used a quasi-experimental design, was to find out and to improve the treatment of leprosy patients by the Tabib who treat them there. Data was gathered using a questionnaire with an interview and the intervention was to provide training and a pocket book about leprosy and how to detect, control, and manage it there and the role that the Tabib can play in controlling leprosy in the future. The results of the study showed that there was a significant difference in knowledge about leprosy between the EG (Experimental Group) Tabib after they got the training including the pocket book and the Tabib in the Control Group (CG); i.e., that did not get any training nor the pocket book. Furthermore, after the training, there was also a significant difference in the attitude towards leprosy between the EG and the CG of Tabib. There was also a significant difference in the future role of the Tabibs to control the spread of leprosy between the EG and the CG. Based on these results, it is hoped that the District Health Department can implement a partnership model with the Tabib in Nagan Raya (and elsewhere) to use the pocket book with training to implement a program to control the spread of leprosy and also to always support the Tabib to improve their role in controlling and eliminating leprosy amongst the village people.

Aceh Besar District in Aceh is an endemic area of filariasis. This endemic state is strongly influenced by peoples’ perception of filariasis countermeasures. This study aimed to determine the relationship between the family perceptions of the health role in filariasis countermeasures using the Health Belief Model (HBM). An analytical survey was applied with a cross-sectional study approach. The study population was families at three villages in working neighborhoods of Kuta Baro Primary Health Care, namely Lambaro Bileu, Lambaet, and Cot Preh. This represents 1,113 families with a sample of 92 families that were selected using a proportionate stratified random sampling technique. The study instrument was a questionnaire and was analyzed in a univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analysis. The results of the study showed that the families’ perceived susceptibility to filariasis disease and the families’ perception of the benefits from filariasis preventive actions are related to the health role in filariasis countermeasures (p = 0.012 and 0.0001). However, the families’ perception of the seriousness of filariasis disease and the families’ perception of barriers in filariasis preventive action did not influence the health role in filariasis countermeasures (p = 0.259 and 0.230).

Background: Aceh province has the greatest risk of death due to smoking-related heart diseases. To reduce this tobacco epidemic in Aceh, the local government has established Smoke-free Areas (SFA/Kawasan Tanpa Rokok/KTR) local regulations (Qanuns). However, the implementation of the established Qanuns remains suboptimal with many violations throughout the province. Methods: This study investigated the challenges and opportunities for improving implementation of KTRs in Banda Aceh municipality using in-depth interviews and document reviews.Results: Various barriers to effective implementation of KTRs were identified: lack of commitment of Banda Aceh authorities in implementing KTR policies; lack of understanding of the KTRs among involved actors; inadequate socialization of KTRs to communities; and misunderstanding of “enclosed areas” as KTRs. However, some important opportunities were identified: the Ministry of Education regulation that promotes KTRs at schools; and smoking prohibition as part of Sharia laws and other religious recommendations. Conclusion: This study has identified barriers and enablers for effective KTR implementation in Banda Aceh. Some key major recommendations are provided to enhance the implementation of KTR policies in Banda Aceh municipality.