RESUMO
Background: The ageing population in Indonesia is increasing. However, biological and social changes and declines may trigger mental health problems among the elderly. Existing data show that the prevalence of mental health problems (depression) among the elderly in Indonesia is above 15%. Aim: This study aims to investigate the relationship between the Majelis Zikir (dhikr assembly) and the mental health of the elderly. Setting: The research was conducted in Aceh Barat District, Aceh Province, Indonesia. Methods: This study uses a retrospective cohort design. The study sample consists of individuals aged 60 years or older. The total sample size was 114 (57 exposed and 57 unexposed groups). The research instrument was in the form of a questionnaire. Results: The respondents had an average age of 67.61 years, with more females (63.2%), more educated (67.5%), more unemployed (71.1%) and 61.4% felt that their income was sufficient. The analysis showed that the relative risk value of members of the dhikr assembly was 1.857 (95% CI: 1.266-2.724) and showed a significant relationship between the dhikr assembly and mental health. Conclusion: Dhikr, as one of the forms of religious activities in Islam, has a positive role in older people's mental health. Elderly members of the dhikr assembly are likelier to achieve better mental health. Contribution: The findings in this study can assist healthcare professionals and policymakers in their efforts to maintain and improve the mental health of the elderly through dhikr.
RESUMO
Aceh Province had the highest rate of leprosy in Indonesia; in 2014, 436 new Multibacillary cases were reported. Nagan Raya was the District in Aceh with the highest number of cases; new cases in 2015 comprised 26 with Paucibacillary (PB) and 21 with Multibacillary (MB) with a total of 4.26% with Grade II disability. The phenomena of handling and treatment by the people in Nagan Raya involve treatment by traditional healers, "Tabib", to treat the leprosy, with treatments known as Peundang locally. The purpose of this study was to find out and to take steps to improve the effectiveness of the Tabib in controlling leprosy in Nagan Raya. The main object of this study, which used a quasi-experimental design, was to find out and to improve the treatment of leprosy patients by the Tabib who treat them there. Data was gathered using a questionnaire with an interview and the intervention was to provide training and a pocket book about leprosy and how to detect, control, and manage it there and the role that the Tabib can play in controlling leprosy in the future. The results of the study showed that there was a significant difference in knowledge about leprosy between the EG (Experimental Group) Tabib after they got the training including the pocket book and the Tabib in the Control Group (CG); i.e., that did not get any training nor the pocket book. Furthermore, after the training, there was also a significant difference in the attitude towards leprosy between the EG and the CG of Tabib. There was also a significant difference in the future role of the Tabibs to control the spread of leprosy between the EG and the CG. Based on these results, it is hoped that the District Health Department can implement a partnership model with the Tabib in Nagan Raya (and elsewhere) to use the pocket book with training to implement a program to control the spread of leprosy and also to always support the Tabib to improve their role in controlling and eliminating leprosy amongst the village people.