Evaluation of Educational and Occupational Determinants on Societal Compliance with Health Protocols During the Pandemic Period in Indonesia

Sheyla Najwatul Maula (Midwifery Program, Faculty of Health and Science, Agung Putra University, Indonesia)
Nadroh Br. Sitepu (Poltekkes Kemenkes Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia)
Juwi Athia Rahmini (Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Muhammadiyah Jakarta, Indonesia)
Ketut Lisnawati (STIKes Wira Medika Bali, North Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia)
Irwan Hadi (STIKes Yarsi Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia)
Agus Rochmat (Chemical Engineering Department of Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa University, Banten, Indonesia)
Shirly Gunawan (Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Tarumanagara, West Jakarta, Indonesia)
Anis Laela Megasari (Anesthesiology Nursing Study Program, Vocational School, Sebelas Maret University, Indonesia)

Contagion: Scientific Periodical Journal of Public Health and Coastal Health
Vol 8, No 3 (2026): Contagion

While non-pharmaceutical interventions are critical for pandemic mitigation, empirical evidence regarding the structural and socioeconomic determinants of public compliance during epidemic transitions remains fragmented in developing economies. Existing literature primarily focuses on broad epidemiological trends without identifying how specific demographic strata navigate behavioral adherence during the pandemic transition phase. To bridge this literature gap, this study investigates the demographic and occupational determinants of health protocol compliance in Indonesia, establishing an analytical framework to differentiate between self-directed preventive behaviors and institutionally enforced adherence. A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted using a digital convenience sampling strategy across Indonesian provinces. Data were collected from 506 validated respondents via a structured 35-item instrument evaluating behavioral adherence, implementation process, and environmental readiness. Bivariate inferential analyses were conducted using Pearson’s Chi-Square tests at a significance threshold of p < 0.05 to examine relationships across demographic and occupational strata. Educational attainment significantly predicted active, self-directed preventive behaviors, specifically handwashing frequency (p = 0.001) and physical distancing (p < 0.001). Conversely, occupational status strongly governed compliance with workplace-regulated measures, including temperature screenings (p = 0.001), mask utilization (p < 0.001), and hand hygiene (p < 0.001), with formal sector personnel exhibiting significantly higher adherence than self-employed entrepreneurs. However, universal administrative mandates showed no significant variation by education level (p > 0.05), and physical distancing remained uniform across occupations (p = 0.195).  These findings demonstrate that public compliance is bifurcated into institutionally enforced adherence and cognition-driven adherence. Effective epidemic containment requires dual-track intervention strategies, maintaining administrative enforcement in formal workplaces while deploying targeted educational outreach for informal and independent workforces.Keywords:  COVID-19, Public Health Compliance, Health Behavior, Occupational Health, Health Literacy.