One of the most important indicators in malaria eradication is the malaria surveillance information system (SISMAL) for recording and reporting medical cases. This paper aims to describe the availability and readiness of SISMALs at primary health centers (PHCs) in Indonesia. A cross-sectional survey was implemented in seven provinces for this study. The data was analyzed using bivariate, multivariate, and linear regression. The availability of the information system was measured by assessing the presence of the electronic malaria surveillance information system (E-SISMAL) at the studied PHCs. The readiness was measured by averaging each component of the assessment. From 400 PHC samples, only 58.5% had available SISMALs, and their level of readiness was only 50.2%. Three components had very low levels of readiness: (1) the availability of personnel (40.9%), (2) SISMAL integration and storage (50.2%), and (3) the availability of data sources and indicators (56.8%). Remote and border (DTPK) areas had a 4% better readiness score than non-DTPK areas. Endemic areas were 1.4% better than elimination areas, while regions with low financial capacity were 3.78% better than regions with high financial capacity, with moderate capacity (2.91%). The availability rate of the SISMAL at PHCs is only 58.5%. Many PHCs still do not have SISMALs. The readiness of the SISMAL at these PHCs is significantly related to DTPK/remote area, high endemicity status, and low financial capacity. This study found that the implementation of SISMAL is more accessible to malaria surveillance for the remote area and regions with low financial capacity. Therefore, this effort will well-fit to address barrier to malaria surveillance in developing countries.
Many countries, including Indonesia, were gravely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. While younger people were rarely severely affected by an infection, they still served as important spreaders of the disease. Therefore, the knowledge, perception and attitudes regarding COVID-19 of a mostly younger population was assessed in this study using a quantitative survey and semi-structured questionnaire. Out of 15 questions on COVID-19, males answered fewer questions (-1.26) correctly. Persons reporting more diseases in the last year (+0.49 per disease) that lived in a central area of Indonesia, and that had a better socio-economic status defined through household condition scores, had better knowledge of the symptoms, causes of and measures against COVID-19. Better knowledge independently predicted more responsible attitudes and stated behavior. Knowledge and understanding should be enhanced through information campaigns targeted specifically towards men, persons with poor socio-economic backgrounds and those living in the periphery of the state.