Tropical Health and Medical Research (E-Journal)
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Characteristics and Abundance of Microplastics in the Feces of Communities on the Banks of the Musi River, Palembang
Get PDFMicroplastic pollution has become an increasingly worrying global environmental issue. Microplastics are plastic particles measuring less than 5 mm from the degradation of large plastics or using products containing microplastics. Microplastics can enter the human body through contaminated food, water, and air, with feces being one of the indicators of exposure. This study aims to analyze the characteristics and abundance of microplastics in feces in communities on the banks of the Musi River in Palembang City. This study used a descriptive design with laboratory analysis. Fecal samples were collected from 50 respondents selected by purposive sampling based on fish consumption patterns and water sourced from the Musi River. The study was carried out using the microplastic separation method using a solution and particle identification using a stereo microscope and FTIR spectroscopy. The results showed that microplastics were found in all respondents' feces samples, with concentrations ranging from 9-27 particles per gram and an average of 18 particles per gram. The dominant types of microplastic polymers found were Polystyrene (PS), Nylon, Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), and Polyethylene (PE). It was concluded that the presence of microplastics in feces indicates significant exposure. Microplastics, such as fragments, fibers, and other particles, were found in people's feces with various shapes, sizes, and colors. The abundance of microplastics in feces indicates contamination, which most likely comes from consuming food and drinks exposed to microplastics. It is recommended that a campaign be carried out to reduce single-use plastic or increase waste processing in riverbank areas
Impact of Antiretroviral Therapy Duration on Hematology Profile in HIV Patients at Buntok Health Center, Indonesia
Get PDFHIV/AIDS is a global health challenge that requires long-term therapy, one of which is the use of Antiretroviral (ARV). ARV therapy has a significant impact on the patient's hematological profile, such as hemoglobin, hematocrit, erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets. However, the long-term effects of ARV therapy on hematological profiles in Indonesia, especially in the Central Kalimantan region, have not been widely studied. This study aims to analyze the relationship between the length of ARV therapy and hematological profile in HIV patients at Buntok health center. This study used an analytic survey design with a cross-sectional approach. The study sample involved 29 HIV patients undergoing ARV therapy, taken by total sampling. Data were obtained from medical records and laboratory examinations and then analyzed using the Spearman correlation test to test the relationship between variables. The results showed a significant association between the duration of ARV therapy and the levels of hemoglobin (p = 0.005), hematocrit (p = 0.001), erythrocytes (p = 0.000), and platelets (p = 0.023). However, no significant relationship was found between the duration of ARV therapy and the number of leukocytes (p = 0.063). The correlation found was negative, indicating that the longer the ARV therapy, the more certain hematological parameters decreased. It is concluded that the duration of ARV therapy is associated with changes in the hematological profile of HIV patients. These findings suggest the importance of routine monitoring of hematologic profiles to detect adverse effects of ARV therapy, especially in patients on long-term therapy
Evaluation of the Duration of Anti-Tuberculosis Drug Administration on Leukocyte Profiles in Tuberculosis Patients
Get PDFTuberculosis (TB) is a global health problem that requires monitoring the immune response during treatment. Leukocyte profile is an important indicator in assessing the body's response to anti-tuberculosis drug therapy. The purpose of the study was to determine the difference in leukocyte profiles in pulmonary TB patients after 0 months and 2 months of anti-tuberculosis drug treatment—analytical research method with cross-sectional design on 60 pulmonary TB patients in Sungai Malang and Karias Health Center. Samples were selected purposively. Leukocyte examination was performed using Hematology Analyzer, and data were analyzed by independent t-test and Mann-Whitney. The results showed a significant decrease in the number of leukocytes (9,877/mm³ to 6,678/mm³, p<0.05), segment neutrophils (68.73% to 51.33%, p<0.05), and a significant increase in lymphocytes (21.07% to 37.33%, p<0.05). Basophils, eosinophils, rod neutrophils, and monocytes showed no significant difference (p>0.05). Conclusion A 2-month anti-tuberculosis drug treatment duration decreased leukocytes and segment neutrophils and significantly increased lymphocytes. Leukocyte monitoring is recommended as an indicator of therapy response
Oral Candida spp. Density as a Blood Glucose Marker in Diabetes Mellitus Patients
No full textCandida spp. is a commensal fungus in the oral cavity that can become an opportunistic pathogen when there is a decrease in the immune system or metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus. Hyperglycemia in people with diabetes increases salivary glucose levels, which can be a nutrient source for Candida, thus triggering increased density, biofilm formation, and antifungal resistance. This study aims to analyse the relationship between blood glucose levels and oral Candida spp. density in patients with diabetes mellitus. The study used a cross-sectional design in 29 Guntung Manggis Banjarbaru Community Health Centre patients. Saliva samples were collected by mouthwash and planted on Hichrome Candida Differential Agar (HCDA) media to calculate colony density. At the same time, blood glucose levels were measured spectrophotometrically using the GOD-PAP method. The results showed abnormal blood glucose levels (?200 mg/dL) were found in 16 respondents (55.2%), and abnormal Candida spp. density (>500 CFU/mL) was also found in 16 respondents (55.2%). The growth of Candida spp. detected in 24 samples (82.8%). The Chi-square test showed a significant association between hyperglycemia and increased oral Candida spp. density (p = 0.017). These findings suggest that hyperglycemia plays a role in increased Candida density in the oral cavity. Hence, monitoring blood glucose levels and oral Candida density is important for preventing fungal infection complications in patients with diabetes mellitus
The Effectiveness of Ginger, Lemon, and Honey Decoction in Reducing Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnant Women with Emesis Gravidarum: A Quasi-Experimental Study
Get PDFNausea and vomiting during pregnancy, or emesis gravidarum, can occur at any time and may persist into the second or third trimester, causing dehydration or severe complications if unmanaged. Ginger, lemon, and honey create a drink rich in vitamins, minerals, and enzymes beneficial for reducing these symptoms. This study aimed to analyze the effect of consuming a ginger, lemon, and honey decoction on pregnant women with emesis gravidarum at the Malinau City Health Center. Conducted from May to June 2024, this quasi-experimental study involved 30 participants divided into two groups: 15 in the Education group and 15 in the intervention group. The intervention involved consuming fresh ginger boiled with 3 cc of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of honey twice daily for four days. Nausea and vomiting were measured using The Rhodes Index Nausea, Vomiting, and Retching (INVR), a validated questionnaire. Results showed a significant reduction in INVR scores in the intervention group compared to the Education group (p < 0.001). After four days, the mean score in the intervention group was 8.60, 2.53 points lower than the Education group (11.13). These findings demonstrate that consuming ginger, lemon, and honey decoction for four days effectively reduces nausea and vomiting in pregnant women
The Effect of Sputum Delivery Time on the Sensitivity of Culture and AFB Microscopy in the Diagnosis of Drug-Resistant TB
No full textDrug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) is a major challenge in TB control in Indonesia. Early detection using liquid and solid media cultures is crucial due to the limited sensitivity of Acid-Fast Bacilli (AFB) microscopic examination. In addition, the time of sputum specimen delivery can also affect bacterial viability. This study aims to determine the relationship between liquid and solid media culture results with AFB microscopic results in immediate and delayed sputum in patients with DR-TB. This is an observational analytical study with a cross-sectional design, involving 40 sputum samples from DR-TB patients examined at the South Kalimantan Provincial Health Laboratory from January to April 2025. Samples were grouped based on the time of sputum delivery (<7 days = immediate; ?7 days = delayed), and examined using AFB microscopic methods, Mycobacterium Growth Indicator Tube liquid culture, and Lowenstein-Jensen solid culture. Data analysis was performed using the Spearman correlation test. Of the 40 sputum samples examined, 2 (5%) were positive by AFB microscopy, 8 (20%) were positive by liquid culture (MGIT), and 6 (15%) were positive by solid culture (Lowenstein-Jensen). The results showed that in immediate sputum, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) was detected in 7 samples using liquid media and in 5 samples using solid media. In contrast, in delayed sputum, only one sample was positive in both media. Most samples with negative AFB microscopy still yielded MTB growth in culture, particularly in immediate sputum. There was no significant correlation between AFB and liquid culture results in immediate sputum (p=0.172), but there was a substantial correlation between AFB and solid culture (p=0.025). In delayed sputum, both liquid and solid cultures showed a significant correlation with AFB results (p=0.046). Liquid culture was proven to be more sensitive than AFB microscopic examination, especially for immediately examined sputum. MTB viability and accuracy of results decreased in late-delivered sputum, so optimal specimen delivery management is necessary to maintain diagnostic quality
Comparison of TCM GeneXpert MTB/RIF Ultra Examination Results with AFB Microscopic Examination in Pulmonary TB Patients with MTB Detected
No full textTuberculosis (TB) is a disease in Indonesia with the second largest number of cases in the world after India. One of the TB-free strategies is early diagnosis with bacteriological laboratory examination for rapid treatment, thereby reducing the incidence rate. WHO recommends the GeneXpert molecular rapid test for confirming the diagnosis of TB. The TB diagnosis is confirmed by Acid-Fast Bacilli (AFB) microscopic examination for laboratories with difficulty accessing rapid molecular tests. The study aims to compare the rapid molecular test GeneXpert MTB/RIF Ultra examination with Ziehl-Neelsen stained AFB microscopic examination in diagnosing lung patients who have been detected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis very low, low, medium, and High (MTB detected)—the type of observational analytical study, with a cross-sectional design to understand the differences. The sampling technique is a total sampling of 30 samples, and data analysis using the Wilcoxon statistical test. Of the 30 samples tested for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), the Molecular Rapid Test identified all samples as positive (100%). In contrast, AFB microscopy detected only 23 positive cases (76.67%) and failed to detect MTB in 7 samples (23.33%). Based on bacterial load classification, three samples (10%) were categorized as very low, with AFB results showing two negatives (6.67%) and one scanty (3.33%). Among the nine low-load samples (30%), five were AFB-negative (16.67%) and four were positive (1+) (13.33%). In the seven medium-load samples (23.33%), microscopy detected five samples as 1+ (16.67%), two as 2+ (6.67%), and one as 3+ (3.33%). Of the 11 high-load samples (36.67%), AFB identified three as 2+ (10%) and eight as 3+ (23.33%). The conclusion of the results of the Molecular Rapid Test examination with AFB microscopic there shows a significant difference (P < 0.025) < ? (0.05). It is recommended that further research be conducted to compare three bacteriological examinations, namely rapid molecular test, AFB microscopic, and culture, as a gold standard examination
Correlation Between APTT and Anti-Tuberculosis Therapy Stages at Cempaka Health Center
Get PDFTuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that is still a global health problem. TB treatment with anti-tuberculosis drugs can affect the hemostasis system, one of which is through changes in activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT). However, the relationship between APTT values ??and the phase of TB therapy is still not fully understood. This study aims to analyze the relationship between APTT values ??and the phase of TB therapy and patient characteristics, including age and gender. This study used a cross-sectional design with an accidental sampling technique involving 30 pulmonary TB patients undergoing anti-tuberculosis drug therapy at the Cempaka Health Center. APTT examination was performed using an automatic method with a normal value of 25–43 seconds. Statistical analysis used the Pearson correlation test for normally distributed data and the Spearman test for non-normally distributed data. The results showed that 63% of patients had normal APTT values ??(26.0–41.2 seconds; average 32.7 seconds), while 37% of patients experienced prolonged APTT (44.8–49.7 seconds; average 47.6 seconds). There was no significant relationship between APTT values ??and the TB therapy phase (p=0.165), age (p=0.249), and gender (p=0.630). There was no significant relationship between APTT values ??and TB therapy phase, age, and gender. However, these results indicate that some patients experience changes in the hemostasis system during TB therapy. This study suggests that monitoring APTT in TB patients undergoing anti-tuberculosis drug therapy is still needed to anticipate potential coagulation disorders. Further research with a larger sample size and control of nutritional factors and patient inflammation status is recommended to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the effects of TB therapy on the hemostasis system
Kacip Fatimah (Labisia pumila) as Natural Sunscreen: Analysis of Flavonoid Content and Ultraviolet Protection Ability
Get PDFThe cause of melanoma cancer is exposure to high-intensity ultraviolet rays from sunlight. Kacip Fatimah (Labisia pumila) utilizes the people of the interior of Kalimantan to protect their skin from sunlight by attaching leaves to the face or skin. Kacip Fatimah (Labisia pumila) contains flavonoid compounds, which are thought to impact these various properties. This study aimed to determine the ultraviolet protection ability and total flavonoid levels of Kacip Fatimah (Labisia pumila) leaves. Kacip Fatimah (Labisia pumila) leaves originating from Central Kalimantan were cleaned, dried in an oven, ground, and then extracted with air solvents, 70% ethanol, and 96% ethanol. Flavonoid identification was carried out with specific reagents, and total flavonoid levels were determined by colorimetric method using quercetin as a comparison. The ultraviolet protection ability of Kacip Fatimah (Labisia pumila) leaf extract was measured using a UV-Vis Spectrophotometer with the Sun Protection Factor parameter. The results showed the presence of flavonoids in the third extract. The total flavonoid content of air extract, ethanol 70%, and ethanol 96% from Kacip Fatimah (Labisia pumila) leaves were obtained respectively at 1.69%, 2.15%, and 2.38%. The most extracted flavonoids were in ethanol 96%solvent. The ultraviolet protection ability at a concentration of 100 - 500 ppm from air extract was in the range of 2.80 - 7.99, in ethanol 70% extract in the range of 5.69 - 38.39, while in ethanol 96% extract in the range of 8.76 - 49.07. The highest ultraviolet protection was in 96% ethanol extract from Kacip Fatimah (Labisia pumila) leaves. The results showed that Kacip Fatimah (Labisia pumila) leaves can provide ultraviolet protection with the content of active compounds of the flavonoid group. The research results can be scientific evidence for utilizing and developing products from Kacip Fatimah (Labisia pumila)
Effectiveness of HEPA Filters in Reducing Airborne Bacteria in Public Health Laboratory Rooms in Bontang City, Indonesia
No full textAir is a basic human need whose quality needs to be maintained, especially in closed environments such as laboratories. Several factors, such as temperature, humidity, lighting, occupancy density, and ventilation systems, affect the presence of microorganisms in the room. Laboratory users can control microorganisms that cause air contamination by using High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters. This study aims to determine the effect of HEPA filter use on the number of airborne germs in laboratory rooms. This type of research is an analytical observational study with a cross-sectional design, with nine rooms as research objects. Air samples were taken six times in each room, namely twice before the use of the HEPA filter (0 hour), twice after the use of the HEPA filter for 3 hours without activity, and twice after the use of the HEPA filter for 3 hours with laboratory service activities. Statistical tests used one-way ANOVA to analyze the data. The results showed that the average number of airborne germs before the use of the HEPA filter was 357,667 CFU/m³. After 3 hours of use of the HEPA filter without activity, the number decreased to 177,444 CFU/m³. After 3 hours of active HEPA filter use, the number of airborne bacteria decreased to 124 CFU/m³. The statistical test results showed a significance value of 0.000 (p < 0.05), which means there was a significant difference between groups. The conclusion is that the use of HEPA filters has a substantial effect on reducing the number of airborne bacteria in the Bontang City Health Laboratory room. Future researchers are advised to increase the duration of HEPA filter use and identify the types of bacteria in the laboratory room