Cadre-driven health education for enhanced tuberculosis treatment in North Minahasa Indonesia

Introduction: Tuberculosis remains a global concern, with rising incidence and mortality rates, notably in Indonesia. Specifically, the Wori Health Center in North Minahasa Regency reports a treatment success rate of only 75%, indicative of ongoing challenges. Community cadres play a pivotal role in tuberculosis management by facilitating patient referral and care. This study aims to bolster cadre involvement through targeted health education, addressing the pressing need to improve TB treatment outcomes in Wori Subdistrict of North Minahasa, Indonesia. Methods: Using a quasi-experimental design, this study assessed the impact of health education on cadre knowledge regarding TB prevention. Total sampling involved 100 community cadres within the Wori Health Center's jurisdiction. Results: Pre- and post-intervention analysis revealed a significant increase in cadre knowledge concerning tuberculosis prevention (p-value = 0.000). This underscores the efficacy of health education in fostering informed and proactive community engagement, thereby enhancing tuberculosis treatment success rates. Conclusion: The study emphasizes the pivotal role of health education in empowering community cadres, especially in remote regions. By equipping cadres with enhanced knowledge, this approach contributes substantially to the effectiveness of tuberculosis treatment efforts in underserved areas. Integrating health education strategies is thus imperative for optimizing cadre involvement and combating TB in challenging contexts.