HEALTH COMMUNICATION STRATEGY FOR ENDING OPEN DEFECATION IN A RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY: A CASE STUDY IN MALANG DISTRICT, INDONESIA

Abstract

Objective: Goal 6.2 of the SDGs emphasizes the importance of safe sanitation and ending open defecation in promoting health and well-being. This study analyzes health communication strategies for ending open defecation (OD) in a riverside community and identifies communication elements impeding the outcome.
 
 Methodology:. Using a qualitative approach, the data were collected through a forum group discussion (FGD), in-depth interviews, and observations. Fourteen people attended the FGD, including village government leaders, community and religious leaders, health cadres, people with OD habits, a midwife. Eight people were interviewed, including the head of the primary health center, the head of the environmental health division at Malang District Health Office, village government leaders, community and religious leaders, a sanitarian, and people with OD habits.
 
 Findings: The triggering method was combined with a customized communication strategy to promote OD behavior change. The study identifies challenges to achieving promotion objectives, such as villagers' distrust of some assisting team members due to a lack of training or workshops, the 'no subsidy' messages were ineffective because the local government granted latrine for the poor before, the use of face-to-face communication as a sole channel was found ineffective due to unreliable sources and a large number of participants, there is no regulation to sustain behavioral change.
 
 Suggestions: This study recommends training or workshops for community members who serve as the triggering team, encouraging self-built latrines through a financing plan and latrine models tailored to villagers' capabilities and preferences, combining face-to-face communication with villagers' preferred media, and issuing a regulation governing penalties for offenders.