PENGETAHUAN DAN SIKAP LANSIA TERHADAP PENCEGAHAN KEJADIAN RHEUMATOID ARTRITIS DI GAMPONG COT BEUT, ACEH BESAR

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmunedisease that often affects the elderly, significantly impacting their quality of life and public health systems. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of the elderly in Gampong Cot Beut, Aceh Besar, regarding the prevention of RA. A descriptive quantitative design with a cross-sectional approach was employed, involving 100 respondents selected using a simple random sampling method. A structured questionnaire based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) was used to collect data. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analysis. The results showed that the respondents had low levels of knowledge about RA, with most unable to identify risk factors such as smoking and obesity or prevention methods such as regular physical activity. However, their attitudes toward prevention were generally positive, with 78% expressing a willingness to attend health education programs. A significant positive correlation (r = 0.68; p < 0.05) was found between knowledge and attitudes, indicating that improved health literacy could encourage proactive attitudes toward RA prevention. This study highlights the importance of community-based health education tailored to the local cultural and social context, as well as improving healthcare access in rural areas. The findings provide critical insights for designing effective prevention programs, especially in regions with limited healthcare resources.