Althea Medical Journal
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Relationship between Emotional Distress and Workplace Influence on Depressive Symptoms among Online Motorcycle Taxi Drivers
Get PDFBackground: The rise of online motorcycle taxi services, driven by the demand for transportation and new technologies, has created a new landscape for drivers. However, despite the benefits, these drivers are not considered employees and are therefore vulnerable to psychosocial risks. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between psychosocial hazards and depressive symptoms among online motorcycle taxi drivers. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 218 online motorcycle taxi drivers in Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, and Tangerang from September to December 2022. The Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire version III was used to assess psychosocial hazards in the workplace and the likelihood of developing depressive symptoms. A multiple linear regression test was used, with a significance level set of p < 0.05.Results: Most respondents were male, and many had worked for over five years, with the majority working more than 8 hours a day. Emotional burden and workplace influences were positively correlated with depressive symptoms (p = 0.017; β = 0.154; and p = 0.002; β = 0.166, respectively). In contrast, the meaning of work and clarity of roles were negatively correlated with depressive symptoms (p = 0.009; β = -0.161; and p = 0.024; β = -0.195, respectively).Conclusion: This study highlights that emotional stress and workplace influence can exacerbate depressive symptoms, while a clear and meaningful work environment have a positive impact. Healthy lifestyle habits are one of the stress management solutions to improve emotional wellness
Concordance between Isothermal Amplification-Real Time Fluorescence Assay and Reverse Transcriptase Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction for Detecting SARS-CoV-2
Get PDFBackground: There are various nucleic-acid-based diagnostic tests used to detect SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19 patients such as reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and isothermal amplification real time fluorescence assay (IARTFA), with the first-mentioned is considered as the gold standard. The IARTFA is an alternative method using cross priming amplification (CPA) technique under constant temperature, with a simpler procedure and faster result. This study aimed to determine the concordance between IARTFA and RT-PCR in detecting SARS-CoV-2.Methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study with a random sampling method, conducted from August-October 2021 in Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Bandung. Data on patients was obtained from medical records. Cohen's kappa test was used to determine concordance between both methods.Results: A total of 30 subjects were collected, including subjects with positive result on RT-PCR and IARTFA (n=15), negative result on both methods (n=5), and with positive result on RT-PCR but negative on IARTFA (n=10). There were discrepancies between both methods in subjects with cycle threshold (CT) values ≥35. However, there was a significant concordance between both methods (Cohen’s kappa coefficient of 1, p = 0.006).Conclusion: In addition to RT-PCR, IARTFA is an alternative method for detecting SARS-CoV-2 with advantages and excellent concordance. In communicable diseases such as COVID-19, along with healthy lifestyles such as isolation and wearing masks, early diagnosis is important to prevent and manage the spread of the disease
Second-Line Anti-Tuberculosis Drugs Susceptibility Pattern in Multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis Patients at Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia
Get PDFBackground: Indonesia has the second-highest tuberculosis prevalence in the world. Moreover, Indonesia is among the 30 countries with the highest burden of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). This study aimed to determine the pattern of second-line anti-tuberculosis drug resistance in MDR-TB patients.Method: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional using data from MDR-TB patients aged 18 years and older, diagnosed with drug-resistant TB at Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital from December 2021 to June 2022. Total sampling was used. Data on age, gender, history of previous antituberculosis drug treatment and second-line antituberculosis drug susceptibility test results were collected. Resistance distribution patterns were identified using the Line Probe Assay (LPA) and the Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT) test.Results: Of 134 data retrieved, only 82 data were complete. The median age of the patients was 42 years (range 27-51 years), predominantly female (53.7%), without a history of antituberculosis drug treatment (52.4%). The highest number of resistances was resistant to high dose isoniazid (43.9%), followed by low dose fluoroquinolone (14.6%). Among patients who were resistant to low dose moxifloxacin, 16.67% of patients were still sensitive to high dose moxifloxacin. There was no resistance to bedaquiline.Conclusions: Almost half of the patients are resistant to high dose isoniazid, followed by resistance to low dose fluoroquinolone. These finding are expected to be taken into consideration by clinicians in making decisions on the diagnosis or management of MDR-TB patients and can further serve as input for the government in implementing MDR-TB control programs in Indonesia
Effectiveness of Pandang Dengar Orang Dengan HIV Campaign in Reducing HIV Stigma among Youth in Pati Regency, Indonesia
Get PDFBackground: Recently, there has been a significant increase in new HIV infections in several regions in Indonesia, one of which is Pati Regency, Central Java. The considerable barrier in preventing HIV/AIDS is the widespread stigma against people living with HIV (PLHIV). Innovative interventions are required to eliminate HIV stigma, particularly among young people. This study evaluated the effectiveness of the Pandang Dengar Orang Dengan HIV (ODHIV) campaign in reducing HIV stigma among youth in Pati Regency, Indonesia.Methods: This was an experimental study with a pretest-posttest control group design with randomization. The residents of Pati Regency aged 15 to 29 years who were active users of Instagram and WhatsApp were involved. The Pandang Dengar ODHIV campaign was conducted using Instagram Reels four times a week for three weeks in the intervention group. The instruments used were the Global Stigma and Discrimination Indicator Working Group (GSDIWG) and the Strive research consortium. The T-test was used to analyze the data with a significance level of 95%.Results: The results revealed a decrease in HIV stigma in both the intervention and control groups (p=0.001). After the intervention, the mean stigma score in the intervention group was lower than the mean in the control group (mean difference of 0.044), however, was not statistically significant (p-value=0.961).Conclusions: The Pandang Dengar ODHIV campaign is effective in reducing HIV stigma among youth in Pati Regency, Indonesia. Further research is needed to demonstrate the effectiveness of campaign in wider audiences and other areas
Factors Affecting Breast Milk Substitute in Pidie Jaya, Aceh, Indonesia
Get PDFBackground: Breast milk is the first, main, and best natural food for babies. Breast milk contains various nutrients needed in the process of growth and development of babies. Breastfeeding is a health behavior carried out by mothers. This study aimed to analyze the factors that influence the provision of breast milk substitutes.Methods: This was a quantitative study, using a cross-sectional design. Data collection was carried out from July to August 2022 on 71 mothers who had babies aged up to 6 months at the Bandar Baru Public Health Center, Pidie Jaya, Aceh, Indonesia. Consecutive sampling technique was used. The variables studied included behavior intentions, social support, accessibility of information, personal autonomy, and situational action. Chi-square was used to assess the relationship between independent variables and the dependent variables.Results: Most mothers were aged 20–35 years (70.4%), had junior high school education (78.9%), were unemployed (76.1%), and most did not provide breast milk substitutes (70.4%). Mothers who provided breast milk substitutes was significantly associated with the mother’s intention to give breast milk (p=0.002) and environmental conditions/situations for action (p=0.001). Mothers with low intentions tended to substitute breastmilk (53.8%). Furthermore, the situation of action influenced mothers to provide breast milk substitutes (48.6%).Conclusion: Factors that influence mothers to provide breast milk substitutes are low intention and environmental conditions/situations to act. Therefore, education for mothers to give exclusive breast milk is encouraged.
Suicide among Older Adults in Gunungkidul, Indonesia
Get PDFBackground: Older adults are vulnerable to suicidal crises due to decreased cognitive, health and psychosocial functions. Gunungkidul is a regency in Indonesia that has a demographic structure with an increasing older population and a high prevalence of suicide. This study aimed to determine the characteristics of suicide among older adults in Gunungkidul, Indonesia, from 2012 to 2022.Methods: This was a retrospective analytical descriptive study examining forensic reports of suicide from the Gunungkidul Resort Police, Indonesia, from 2012 to 2022. A total of 388 suicide reports were included, with 186 of them pertaining to older adult suicides. Demographic data and suicide methods were collected using descriptive statistics, and Chi-square analysis was performed to examine any associations or differences in the data.Results: Suicide cases in older adults were more dominant (55.03%) in all suicide cases in Gunungkidul. Hanging was the most prevalent method of suicide (96.2%) among older adults, and there was no difference in suicide methods between males and females (p=0.35). Furthermore, the older adults consisting of males (n=120) were more dominant than females (n=66), however, there was no significant difference across the age group in the youngest-old (60–69 years), the middle-old (70–79 years), and the oldest-old (≥80 years) age group (p>0.01).Conclusions: The prevalence of suicide in older adults in Gunungkidul exceeds other productive age groups, mostly males, and hanging is the most predominant method. Addressing suicide among older adults in Gunungkidul requires a holistic approach by considering individual and societal factors, which necessitates immediate attention to their health, psychological, and socio-economic needs through targeted interventions
Overview of Non-Pharmacological Treatment Option for Adolescent Girls with Dysmenorrhea in Cimahi, West Java, Indonesia
Get PDFBackground: Dysmenorrhea is a condition of pain during menstruation that may affect daily activities. The phenomenon of dysmenorrhea in West Java has reached 54,9%. When dysmenorrhea is not treated, it can decrease productivity at school. This study aimed to find out which therapy was more widely used, the reasons for using the therapy, and to identify changes in non-pharmacological therapy as seen from the visual analog scale (VAS) assessment.Methods: This research used quantitative data with a descriptive study conducted with a cross-sectional method, and the instrument used was a questionnaire. The study was conducted in July 2022 with a total sample of 457 participants, and 366 samples met the inclusion criteria. This data analysis used Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS version 28) to identify changes before and after non-pharmacological therapy options and the frequency distribution of the data.Results: The non-pharmacological therapy option was preferred by students (n= 366), and the reasons students used this therapy were seen from various aspects. Rest was the most frequently chosen activity by students (n= 329). All students felt a change in the pain scale before and after using non-pharmacological therapy with the visual analog scale (VAS).Conclusion: Students in grades 1 and 2 of SMAN 1 Cimahi prefer non-pharmacological therapy with rest. They have various aspects of reasoning and feeling changed after using the therapy. There is a change in the pain scale after using non-pharmacological therapy
Characteristics of Extraneural Tuberculosis in Patients with Tuberculous Meningitis Hospitalized at Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia in 2017–2021
Get PDFBackground: Tuberculous (TB) meningitis is the most severe manifestation of extrapulmonary TB and contributes to a high mortality rate. The presence of extraneural TB may raise suspicion of TB meningitis (TBM). This study aimed to explore the characteristics of extraneural TB in TBM patients.Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study using secondary data from medical records of TBM patients admitted at Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital Bandung, Indonesia from 2017 to 2021. Demographic and clinical data were collected, including HIV status. TBM cases were classified into grades I, II, and III using Medical Research Counsil (MRC) criteria that were based on Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score and the presence of focal neurological deficits. The clinical classification diagnosis of TBM was made based on the Marais diagnostic criteria which included several diagnostic items and corresponding scoring which further divides TBM into three classes. Extraneural TB is defined as the finding of TB outside the nervous system. Disseminated TB was diagnosed based on the finding of ≥2 infected locations.Results: During the study period, 497 medical records were analyzed. Most TBM patients experienced Grade II (76.9%) and extraneural TB site was found in 65.4%, with pulmonary TB as the common site (77%). The highest mortality rate was in disseminated TB (50%). The finding of extraneural TB did not differ between HIV-negative and HIV-positive patients (67.8% vs. 67.9%; p=0.101).Conclusion: The presence of extraneural TB is common in patients with TBM. Therefore, extraneural TB evaluation is important to ensure TBM diagnosis. Further studies are needed to explore factors related to TBM diagnosis to ensure TBM patient’s wellbeing
Association between Lamp Light During Sleep and Sleep Quality in Medical Students
Get PDFBackground: Sleep quality is influenced by numerous factors, including external factors, such as the sleep environment. One aspect of the sleep environment that can influence sleep is lighting. Light exposure emitted by lamps during sleep can impair sleep quality. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between lamp light during sleep and sleep quality in preclinical medical students.Methods: This cross-sectional observational analytic study was carried out on 386 preclinical medical students who were determined using the cluster sampling method. Data was collected in November 2022. Lamp light during sleep and sleep quality among students were measured using the Indonesian version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The association between lamp light and quality of sleep was analyzed by the Chi-Square test.Results: There were 26.68% of students who used lights when sleeping. Poor sleep quality was detected in 46.37% of students. The association between lamp light during sleep and quality of sleep yielded a p-value of 0.002.Conclusion: There is a significant association between lamp light during sleep and sleep quality in preclinical medical students. Thus, improving sleep quality in preclinical medical students may be achieved by modifying the lamp light during sleep
Significant Relationship between Hypertension and Obesity among Female Patients at A Hospital in Kupang, Indonesia
Get PDFBackground: Hypertension or high blood pressure is one of the most common non-communicable diseases found nowadays, affecting 1.28 billion people worldwide and causing about 7.5 million deaths annually. Many factors contribute to hypertension, one of which is obesity. This study aimed to explore further the relationship between hypertension and obesity, especially in female patients in Kupang, Indonesia.Methods: This study was an analytical observational with a cross-sectional approach, including female patients visited the outpatient’s clinic of internal medicine at a hospital in Kupang, Indonesia from July to August 2022. A purposive sampling technique was used. Data collection used an aneroid sphygmomanometer, stethoscope, and health scale. Data analysis was performed using the Chi-Square test. The strength of the correlation was tested with the coefficient of contingency.Results: Of the 100 female patients, 28% had hypertension and 41% were obese. The majority were housewives, aged 46–66 years. Chi square test results showed a significant relationship between obesity and hypertension (p=0.006). However, the correlation test with the contingency coefficient showed a positive correlation with weak correlation (r = 0.283).Conclusions: There is a relationship between hypertension and obesity in female patients at a hospital in Kupang, Indonesia. This finding highlights the need for effective management and prevention strategies, as well as promoting healthy lifestyles