A Qualitative Study of Mosquito Nest Eradication Behavior Using the Health Belief Model Approach in Bandarsari Village, Padang Ratu District, Central Lampung Regency

Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) remains a serious public health issue in Indonesia. Bandarsari Village in the working area of Surabaya Community Health Center is the location with the highest DHF incidence rate. Primary prevention through Mosquito Nest Eradication (MNE) with the 3M Plus strategy heavily relies on community participation, whose behavior is influenced by individual perceptions. This phenomenological qualitative study aims to explore the perceptions of the community and health workers regarding MNE using the Health Belief Model (HBM) framework. The research was conducted in September 2025 in Bandarsari Village, involving 11 key informants selected purposively, including the Village Head, Village Midwife, Program Manager, Hamlet Heads, and Neighborhood Association Heads. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGD), then analyzed using thematic analysis with data validity ensured through source triangulation. The analysis revealed six main themes aligned with the HBM constructs: perceptions of susceptibility and severity that were adequate yet reactive, high perceived benefits of MNE, strong socio-behavioral barriers (such as low sustained motivation and lack of community motivators), action cues dependent on case occurrences and external socialization, and still low self-efficacy at the community level for independent preventive actions. Critical findings indicate that the success of MNE is not solely determined by environmental factors and knowledge but is significantly influenced by psychosocial dynamics and community self-confidence. This study reinforces the need for a comprehensive intervention framework that not only focuses on education but also builds community self-reliance through approaches that address behavioral barriers, enhance collective self-efficacy, and establish a structured and sustainable system of action cues within DHF prevention programs.