Study of Profile of the Government Programs Implementation Germas and Traditional Medicine between Two Generations in a Rural Area

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of the study was to discover the implementation of the government regulations, such as the healthy living community movements (GERMAS) and utilization of jamu (herbal medicine/ traditional medicine) in village communities. Methods: The respondents in study were three groups: village cadres (they represented senior generation), junior high school students, and senior high school students (they represented young generation). All respondents were given the same questions, namely the frequency of eating vegetables and fruits; their favorite vegetable and fruit; knowledge of spices used as jamu. Especially, the senior group was given additional questions regarding what was their purpose in drinking jamu and how they got the jamu. Results: The total frequency of vegetable consumption for 3-7 days/week from three groups of respondents, namely village cadres, senior high school and junior high school students, were 98%, 88% and 68% respectively; the frequency of fruit consumption were 86%, 92% and 90% respectively. The favorite vegetable and fruit were Ipomoea aquatica and Musa paradisiaca, respectively. The knowledge regarding the benefits of spices as traditional medicine, the two spices were mostly known by all respondents were Curcuma longa and Zingiber officinale. The percentage knowledge for Curcuma longa were 32.47%, 23.81%, 23.45% respectively; and Zingiber officinale were 23.38%, 27.89%, 29.66% respectively. The purpose of drinking jamu for maintain health and knowledge to make jamu were 91% and 15.2%, respectively. Conclusion: Based on the results as previously described, the government regulations (Germas and use of jamu) in the village was continuous between the two generations.