Sapporo Medical Journal

Abstract : Indonesia as a developing country is always facing various infectious and non-communicable diseases, including Maluku Province, especially East Seram District. The purpose of the following research was to identify factors related to community knowledge about leprosy in East Seram District. Data were obtained from a household health survey conducted in September-December 2023 in East Seram District, involving 253 respondents. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors that impact on people's knowledge of leprosy. We found that most respondents had a low level of knowledge about leprosy (83.4%). Those who graduated from elementary/junior high school or no school (OR=2.65, p=0.029), graduated from university (OR=6.93, p=0.003), came from households with a high wealth index (OR=5.11, p<0.001), and had visited a health worker (OR=2.77, p=0.010) had a high level of knowledge about the disease. This study suggests the need for health education programmes targeting individuals with less knowledge in East Seram. This study suggests the need for health education programmes targeting individuals with poor knowledge in East Seram District to improve knowledge and disease management.