A Study on the Rational Use of Antimalarial Medicines at Puskesmas Asologaima, Jayawijaya, Papua Pegunungan

Malaria remains a significant public health challenge in Papua Province, Indonesia, which consistently reports among the highest incidence rates nationwide. Environmental factors and community behaviors continue to impede effective prevention and treatment efforts. This study aimed to evaluate the rationality of antimalarial drug prescriptions at primary health centers (Puskesmas) in Jayawijaya, Papua Pegunungan Province. A retrospective, descriptive-analytical study was conducted using 135 prescription records from 2023 to 2024. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square test via SPSS software. The findings revealed that most prescriptions met rational drug use criteria regarding patient eligibility, drug selection, timing, and route of administration. However, a significant gap was identified in dosage accuracy, particularly in Plasmodium falciparum cases, where only 8.3% of prescriptions conformed to recommended dosing guidelines (p ≤ 0.05). These results underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions and prescriber training to improve the quality of antimalarial drug use in high-endemic areas.