ABSTRACT
Positive COVID-19 cases in Malang City, Indonesia continue to increase. Until 04 August 2021, the COVID-19 update shows 3301 positive cases with 7754 cured and 832 deaths. This study aims to identify nurses preparedness in rural area community health centers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Malang for self-control to implement health protocol. This study intends to provide insights on controlling COVID-19 spread in Malang, Indonesia. This research is a quantitative study with correlative analytic observational design and a cross-sectional approach involving 120 nurses from 16 primary health centers. The results of the bivariate analysis using gamma correlation test are: knowledge factors (p = 0.005; r = 0.35), attitude (p = 0.000; r = 0.46), means of infrastructure (p = 0.000; r = 0.54), and self-control (p = 0.000; r = 0.52) for the quarantined COVID-19 patients. Knowledge, attitude, infrastructure, and safe house factors can influence self-control for COVID-19. In rural areas, health education-as education and empowerment for patient self-control-is an effort to encourage them to obey health protocol during the pandemic. Nurse readiness and preparedness during the pandemic is crucial for strengthening the assertive behavior commitment through self-control. This ensures the community's awareness of the importance of complying with health protocols for the common good. Mental nursing intervention needs to be added as a part of psychosocial therapy for the community's social problems, primarily in reducing the pressure due to the social distancing enforcement to control and prevent COVID-19 spread.