How does the dayak ngaju community treat malaria? a qualitative study on the use of traditional medicine in Central Kalimantan Province, Indonesia

Malaria is an endemic disease present in most tropical countries, including Indonesia. The elimination of Malaria has been among the strategies used to improve the health status of the community. However, most traditional tribes in Indonesia who live in remote areas may opt to use traditional medicine instead of the biomedical services available in health facilities. This study aimed to shed a light on the use of traditional medicine for treating malaria within the Dayak Ngaju community.

This research was designed using a qualitative approach. Five respondents, consisting of a community leader and traditional healers, agreed to participate in the study. The interviews were conducted in the interviewee's house in Gunung Mas district, Central Kalimantan province. Descriptive analysis was employed to explain the phenomena of the use of traditional medicine within the study community.

Three themes emerged as the result of the study, including 1) the community perception of malaria, 2) familial influence on the use of traditional medicine, and 3) access to public health facilities for malaria treatment. People consider malaria to be a mild disease that the traditional healer has adequate knowledge of and capacity to cure. The family has the role of encouraging and deciding on the use of traditional medicine. Despite the use of traditional medicine, Dayak Ngaju community use the biomedical health services when they are accessible.

Traditional medicine is considered to be the first option for seeking care among the Dayak Ngaju community. Providing access to health facilities will promote the use of said facilities and biomedical services for malaria treatment.