Journal of Public Health Sciences
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Analysis of Health-Seeking Behavior for Non-communicable Diseases: a Literature Review
People's behavior in seeking health care is an important first step in preventing and controlling non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Non-communicable diseases account for 43 million deaths globally, with 82% of these premature deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. Therefore, this literature review aims to explore patterns of health-seeking behavior and the factors that influence them worldwide. This research employed a literature review method, with data searches conducted through Emerald Insight, PubMed, and Scopus, following the PRISMA protocol guidelines for literature reviews. The keywords used in the search strategy were "health-seeking behavior" and "non-communicable disease" combined using Boolean operators AND and OR. Seven international articles published between 2019 and 2024 met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The findings of this research indicate that health-seeking behavior for non-communicable diseases varies significantly across countries, with a preference for traditional medicine remaining prevalent. Social, cultural, economic, and health services access factors influence this preference. Policymakers and relevant stakeholders should encourage promoting health-seeking behavior, expanding health insurance coverage, and strengthening healthcare infrastructure
Breastfeeding as a Natural Therapy for Anxiety: A Study of Heart Rate Variability in Breastfeeding Mothers
Perinatal mental health issues, particularly postpartum anxiety, are a global concern with significant impacts on maternal well-being and child development. Heart Rate Variability (HRV), reflecting autonomic nervous system balance, is a useful indicator of stress and anxiety. Breastfeeding is known to enhance HRV and reduce anxiety via oxytocin release. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of breastfeeding using an oxytocin carrier in reducing anxiety among breastfeeding mothers, measured through HRV. A quasi-experimental, cross-sectional design was used, involving 120 breastfeeding mothers purposively sampled from communities in the Special Region of Yogyakarta. The intervention involved applying an oxytocin carrier for 15–20 minutes, twice daily for three days. HRV and anxiety levels were measured pre- and post-intervention using standard laboratory instruments and validated questionnaires. Results showed a significant effect (p = 0.000 < 0.05), indicating that breastfeeding interventions with an oxytocin carrier effectively reduced maternal anxiety and improved HRV in both mothers and infants. This approach supports maternal mental health, breastfeeding success, and strengthens the physiological bond between mother and infant. It is recommended to integrate breastfeeding education highlighting its benefits for autonomic balance, anxiety reduction, and overall maternal-infant well-being
Perception and Knowledge of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) among Undergraduate Students of Institut Supérieur Bilingue Libre du Togo (IBLT University Togo)
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a global health concern with increasing prevalence, particularly in developing countries. Despite its significant impact, public awareness and understanding of CKD remain limited. This study assessed the knowledge and perception of CKD among university students of IBLT University in Togo. A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed, and a standardized questionnaire was administered to 112 students, covering sociodemographic characteristics, CKD knowledge, and perception. The study found that while most students had a reasonable understanding of basic CKD concepts, significant gaps existed in their knowledge. Only 26% demonstrated good knowledge of CKD, while 46% had average knowledge and 28% exhibited poor knowledge. The perception of CKD varied among respondents. The majority believed that a person could live with one kidney, but there was uncertainty about screening costs and personal health awareness. Concerns about stigmatization, treatment costs, and religious beliefs were also prevalent. The study highlights the need for improved CKD education and awareness among young populations like university students. Targeted interventions are necessary to address knowledge gaps, dispel misconceptions, and provide support for individuals with CKD
Associations Between ANC History, Anemia, Exclusive Breastfeeding, and Maternal Diet with Nutritional Status of Children Aged 2–5 in Rural Indonesia
The first thousand days of life, beginning with pregnancy, are crucial for a child's development, influenced by factors like maternal nutrition, health, antenatal care (ANC), exclusive breastfeeding, birth weight, immunization, and complementary feeding. Regular ANC visits are vital for monitoring the health of both mother and fetus. This cross-sectional study examined the association between ANC history, anemia during pregnancy, exclusive breastfeeding, and maternal dietary practices with child nutritional status in Ciranggem Village, Sumedang Regency (2021–2023). Data from 30 mothers of children aged 2–5 years were analyzed using Chi-square tests. Significant associations (p < 0.05) were found between all four maternal factors and child nutritional outcomes, highlighting their collective impact on growth. The study used an analytical observational design with total sampling. Results showed 73.3% of mothers received ANC, practiced exclusive breastfeeding, and maintained a healthy diet, while 26.7% had a history of anemia. Children's nutritional status was as follows: Normal (66.7%, 20 children), Stunting (20%, 6 children), Underweight (10%, 3 children), and Overweight (3.3%, 1 child). Statistical analysis yielded a p-value < 0.05, indicating a significant link between maternal factors and child nutrition
Occupational Sitting Posture and Lower Back Pain Among Employees: A Cross-Sectional Study
Low back pain refers to discomfort in the lower back that can interfere with daily tasks. Health centers are work environments that involve ergonomic activities such as lifting, pushing, pulling, reaching, carrying objects, and handling patients, all of which present potential hazards that may lead to musculoskeletal disorders. This study investigates whether low back pain among employees at the Merdeka Health Center in 2024 is associated with their sitting posture while working. The research applied an analytical survey with a cross-sectional design, using a questionnaire to collect primary data from 35 respondents who met the inclusion criteria. The majority of respondents were female (82.9 percent), aged between 26 and 35 years (40 percent), and worked in functional positions (51.4 percent). Most reported using chairs with backrests while working (82.9 percent), not sitting with a hunched posture (60 percent), and working less than six hours per day (62.9 percent). Statistical analysis produced a p-value of 0.564, indicating no significant association between sitting posture and the occurrence of low back pain. Based on the findings from both the past week and past year, there is no meaningful relationship between sitting position at work and low back pain among employees of the Merdeka Health Center in Bogor City
Association Between Dimension of Intelligence and Work Performance among Medical Data Recorders: A Cross-sectional Study
Medical records are vital for informed diagnosis and patient care. Therefore, optimizing the performance of medical data recorders is essential. Performance can be assessed based on several factors, including ability, attitude, appearance, leadership support, initiative, and responsibility. Intelligence, encompassing intellectual, emotional, and spiritual dimensions, represents an important aspect of ability. This study examines the relationship between work performance and intelligence dimensions among medical data recorders. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Health Center of East Surabaya with 35 participants. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression. Most participants were aged 30–40 years, predominantly female, held a diploma, and had over five years of work experience. The highest mean intelligence score was observed for spiritual intelligence (mean = 4.37), specifically in flexibility and the principle of truth. The highest mean performance score was observed for concentration (mean = 4.54). Linear regression analysis indicated that gender and intelligence dimensions significantly influenced performance, with a strong correlation (R = 0.767). These findings highlight the importance of structured leadership coaching, memory enhancement modules, and emotional resilience training for health workers to improve performance
Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Validation of H-PEPSS in Indonesian Diploma-III Nursing Students
In Indonesia, there is currently no standardized tool to evaluate patient safety competence among nursing students. This study aimed to culturally adapt and test the H-PEPSS for use with Indonesian nursing students. The participants were final-year diploma nursing students from Jakarta and West Java. The process included translation, expert validation, pilot testing, and cultural adaptation using cognitive interviews and student feedback. Items were developed through domain analysis and reviewed by experts to ensure relevance and clarity. The validity of the measurement model was examined using RMSEA, SRMR, and CFI indices, while internal consistency was tested to assess reliability. A total of 344 students from eight institutions in Jakarta and Bandung took part in the psychometric testing. The Content Validity Index (CVI) ranged from 0.73 to 1.00 across items. Pearson correlation coefficients varied by domain. The three-factor structure showed a good model fit, with standardized factor loadings above 0.4. All indicator variables exceeded the 0.30 significance threshold. The Indonesian version of H-PEPSS demonstrated a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.795, indicating acceptable reliability. The results suggest that H-PEPSS is a suitable instrument for assessing patient safety competencies among Indonesian nursing students and can be successfully adapted for use in different cultural settings
Comparative Analysis of INA-CBGs Tariffs and Unit Cost of Cesarean Section: A Systematic Review in Indonesian Hospitals
The National Health Insurance (JKN) requires efficient, equitable, and sustainable healthcare services. However, various studies indicate discrepancies between INA-CBGs tariffs and actual hospital service costs. One of the procedures with the highest claim rates is Cesarean Section (CS), which exhibits significant disparities. This study aims to analyze the average unit cost associated with Cesarean Sections (CS) across Indonesia using the Activity-Based Costing (ABC) method. A systematic literature review (SLR) approach was employed, analyzing articles published between 2017–2024. Relevant articles were retrieved through the Google Scholar database. Of the 79 articles initially identified, 37 passed the preliminary screening, and 12 articles met all inclusion criteria. Results indicate that INA-CBGs tariffs for CS procedures only cover 25%–54% of actual costs, varying by service class, hospital location, and operational efficiency. This mismatch contributes to financial deficits in hospitals, potentially compromising service quality, restricting medical equipment procurement, and increasing healthcare professionals’ workloads. Moreover, regional cost variations demonstrate that the current tariff system inadequately considers geographic factors and service complexity. Hospitals in major cities like Bandung report nearly double the unit costs compared to regions such as Yogyakarta or Lampung. Therefore, findings highlight the necessity of reformulating INA-CBGs tariffs to better reflect hospitals' actual conditions. Without updates based on cost-of-service, the financing system risks perpetuating service disparities and reducing the quality of national healthcare. The review findings indicate that the actual cost of Cesarean Section (CS) procedures in Indonesian hospitals is significantly higher than the INA-CBGs tariffs reimbursed by BPJS, with disparities ranging from 46% to 75%
Occupational Hazards and Safety Practices among Woodworkers in Sokoban Wood Village, Ghana
The study determined the knowledge of workers on occupational health hazards and safety practices at Sokoban Wood Village in Ghana. A descriptive design with a quantitative approach was adopted. The study employed convenience sampling of the non-probability technique to select respondents to participate in the study. Data was collected from 83 respondents using structured questionnaires and analyzed descriptively with the aid of SPSS software. These findings shed light on the potential risks and challenges faced by the participants, highlighting the importance of occupational safety measures and health education to mitigate these hazards. Woodworkers were aware of occupational hazards associated with their work. The lack of proactive measures in response to noise pollution and the reliance on self-medication for airway-related ailments highlight the need for improved awareness, education, and healthcare services. It was recommended, among other things, that the leaders and managers should link up with local health authorities to provide comprehensive training programs that educate woodworkers about the potential hazards they face in their occupation, particularly related to sawdust and noise exposure.
The Relationship Between Education Level and Public Knowledge of Malaria in East Seram Regency, Maluku
Malaria remains a significant public health challenge in tropical regions, including East Seram Regency in Maluku Province, which continues to experience high malaria endemicity. Community education plays a vital role in shaping health literacy and malaria knowledge. This cross-sectional study examined the association between education level and malaria knowledge among 253 randomly selected respondents using a validated questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis examined the relationship between education, healthcare facility visits, and malaria knowledge. The findings indicated that higher education level was strongly associated with better malaria knowledge (OR=6.93; 95% CI: 1.89–25.45; p=0.003). Respondents who had visited health facilities were more likely to have good malaria knowledge (OR=2.45; 95% CI: 1.38–2.90; p=0.001). Other variables, including gender, marital status, income, and age, were not statistically significant after adjustment. To reduce malaria burden, scalable interventions should prioritize educational outreach and improve access to quality health services. Integrating these strategies into regional malaria control programs can enhance community health literacy and support sustainable prevention efforts