Health promotion strategies in the acute respiratory infection control program at Medono Public Health Center, Pekalongan

Acute respiratory infection (ARI) remains a public health problem influenced by environmental factors and household behavior. This study aimed to explore the implementation of health promotion strategies in the ARI Disease Control Program at Medono Public Health Center, Pekalongan City, along with community perceptions of and barriers to preventive practices. A descriptive qualitative design was used, with semi-structured interviews conducted on 4-8 May 2026. Informants were selected by purposive sampling and comprised 12 residents who had experienced ARI and received education from the health center (including one health cadre) and one health promotion officer. Data were analyzed using the Miles and Huberman model (data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing), and source triangulation was applied. Education was delivered through face-to-face counseling, posters, and social media. The officer reported counseling roughly every three months, adjusted to case numbers, whereas residents reported receiving it about once a year. Residents described the health workers as friendly and easy to understand and reported changes such as opening windows and cleaning their homes. Program implementation was reported to be limited by staffing and budget constraints, while household prevention was perceived to be hindered by family members’ tobacco smoke, dust, and vehicle pollution, and the cost of improving ventilation. Residents expected more home visits and more frequent counseling. These findings suggest that a more proactive strategy, particularly home visits and stronger cadre involvement, should be considered. The findings cannot be generalized because of the small number of informants.