The Contribution of Health Advocates in Strengthening Community Participation in Preventive Health Programs

Diah Ayu Lestari; Rahmiati; Nur Aulia

doi:10.37899/mjdh.v2i1.282

Authors

Diah Ayu Lestari Nursing Department, Politeknik Kesehatan Kemenkes Makassar, Indonesia
Rahmiati Nursing Department, Politeknik Kesehatan Kemenkes Makassar, Indonesia
Nur Aulia Nursing Department, Politeknik Kesehatan Kemenkes Makassar, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37899/mjdh.v2i1.282

Keywords:

Community Participation, Health Advocacy, Health Communication, Health Literacy, Preventive Health Programs, Public Health Engagement

Abstract

Community participation is an essential component of effective preventive health programs, yet many communities continue to experience low engagement due to limited health literacy, sociocultural barriers, and inadequate access to health information. This study aims to analyze the contribution of health advocates in strengthening community participation in preventive health programs. A quantitative correlational design was employed involving 210 respondents selected through stratified random sampling from community-based preventive health initiatives. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis. The findings reveal a strong positive relationship between health advocate activities and community participation, indicating that educational outreach, counseling, and mobilization significantly enhance preventive health engagement. Health advocate activity remained the strongest predictor of participation even after controlling for demographic variables, while educational attainment also showed a significant influence on participation levels. The novelty of this study lies in its use of a predictive quantitative framework to empirically measure the contribution of health advocates within preventive public health systems. The study implies that strengthening institutional support, advocacy training, and culturally responsive communication strategies is essential for improving the sustainability, inclusiveness, and effectiveness of preventive health programs.

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