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The Covid-19 pandemic which started in the city of Wuhan has become a serious threat to many countries, including Indonesia. The significant increase in patient cases prompted the research team at the Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta and Universitas Gadjah Mada to conduct a joint research with the Global Challenge Research Fund (GCRF), Heriot-Watt University. This collaborative research which analysed community behaviour and health facility readiness in Indonesia during Covid-19 pandemic is chaired by Professor Arnab Bhattacharjee, Professor and Head of Economics Fellow, National Institute of Economic & Social Research, Heriot-Watt University. This study examines the quantitative side using the Epidemic Preparedness Index. Furthermore, the qualitative side applies COM-B model analysis which focuses on the study of changes in people's behaviour during a pandemic.

In quantitative research, results show that the spread of Covid-19 has increased when entering the Eid Celebration homecoming season. The number of infected cases is increasing when entering the New Normal era or “New Adaptation of Habits” accompanied by a policy of relaxation from the government.

Novat Pugo Sambodo MIDEC., A researcher from the UGM Centre for Health Insurance Financing and Management Policy (KP-MAK Centre), said that, “During the pandemic, Epidemic Preparedness Index (EPI) at the provinces are used to show level of readiness of each region to cope with Covid-19 pandemic. However, the results of Epidemic Preparedness Index (EPI) associated with the Case Fatality Rate (CFR) and Recovery Rate (RR) cannot be fully used as a benchmark for the increase in death cases and the accumulation of positive cases. Thus, we plan to improve CFR and RR calculation based on additional consideration which are not covered in our current estimate". Based on the epidemiological triad, in addition to environmental factors supported by public health infrastructure, people's behaviour also affects the increase in positive cases. “Therefore, in order to reduce the spread of the virus, a behaviour changes due to public awareness is imperative.”

Recently, WHO informs that Corona viruses transmit not only through droplets when sneezing, coughing or talking without using a mask, but also through the airborne. "Besides the government responsibility to prepare ample health facilities, both central and local governments must always raise public awareness. The health protocol is summarised as 3M, namely Washing Hands regularly, Using Face Masks, and Physical Distancing (in Indonesian jargon: ’Mencuci Tangan, Memakai Masker dan Menjaga Jarak’). Likewise, Limiting Mobility and that adherence to health protocols in public places is a must to prevent spread of Covid-19. Policy brief and public service advertisements or PSAs presented in audio-visual and infographics are our research’s outcomes. The PSA will be used as public reminders," said Faculty of Economics and Business UMY researcher, Dyah Titis Kusuma Wardani, MIDEC., Thursday (13/08).

In addition, researcher dr. Rakhmat Ari Wibowo, M.Sc (FK-KMK UGM) said that the increase in cases of infection is exacerbated by the lack of public understanding of Covid-19 transmission route and rampant Covid-19 fake news. Environmental factors, social influences, local government policies, religious motives, economic opportunities, and socio-cultural factors as well as personal choices can be a facilitator or conversely barrier of preventive behaviours. However, these qualitative findings have only been analysed by single researcher, therefore subjectivity is still possible. We will continue analysing the qualitative finding independently by two researchers to minimise subjectivity, then we will publish these results soon.

As a final point, Romi Bhakti Hartarto M.Ec, a researcher from the UMY Department of Economics who is also the Coordinator-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) of Heriot-Watt University highly recommended that the research can be used by the government to formulate the right policies. "It is our shared hope that by working together we can stop the spreading the Covid-19 pandemic."

Video of Tackling Covid-19 in Indonesia: A Collaboration with GCRF

https://youtu.be/mbhx1QxuQ6I

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