Mediating Roles of Barriers and Mitigation in Community-Based Health Adaptation to Floods: A Comparative Study in Bandung and Bojonegoro

Abstract

This study investigates the mediating roles of barriers and mitigation strategies in community-based health adaptation to floods, comparing two contrasting Indonesian regions: urban Bandung and rural Bojonegoro. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 201 participants (98 from Bandung and 103 from Bojonegoro) using purposive sampling. Data was collected through structured questionnaires covering five latent constructs: experience, barriers, wisdom, mitigation, and adaptation, and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with Goodness of Fit (GoF) assessment. The models demonstrated satisfactory fit (GoF = 0.495 for Bandung; 0.399 for Bojonegoro). Barriers had a significant negative impact on adaptation (β = –0.283 and –0.378), while mitigation exerted a positive effect (β = 0.583 and 0.487). Mediation analyses confirmed indirect effects through barriers and mitigation. Urban communities faced institutional and infrastructural constraints, whereas rural populations relied more on local wisdom and social solidarity as adaptive resources. Barriers and mitigation act as crucial mediating factors in shaping community-based health adaptation. Urban strategies should prioritize institutional strengthening and infrastructure, while rural interventions should build on social capital and indigenous knowledge. The findings emphasize the need for context-specific, community-centered approaches to strengthen public health resilience against climate-related floods.