Proceedings of the International Conference on Public Health
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LONG-TERM HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL BURDEN OF DISEASE OF CRITERIA AIR POLLUTANTS AMONG ADULTS IN MPUMALANGA HIGHVELD PRIORITY AREA, SOUTH AFRICA
The Mpumalanga Highveld Priority Area has been characterized by elevated concentrations of criteria air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, SO2, and NO2). These criteria air pollutants have been globally associated with cardiopulmonary disease-related mortality. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the human health risks and environmental burdens associated with inhalation exposure to PM2.5, PM10, SO2, and NO2 among adults in the Mpumalanga Highveld priority area. Hourly concentrations of PM2.5, PM10, SO2, and NO2 from monitoring stations in the Mpumalanga Highveld from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2018, were obtained from the South African Air Quality Information System (SAAQIS) website. Daily cardiopulmonary disease-related mortality data for the same period were obtained from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA). The human health risk assessment framework, from hazard identification through dose-response assessment and exposure assessment to risk characterization, was applied to assess whether adults in the Mpumalanga Highveld priority area were exposed to PM2.5, PM10, SO2, and NO2 concentrations that may pose a non-carcinogenic health risk. The World Health Organization (WHO) guideline and relative risk were used to estimate the daily air quality health index (AQHI). Additionally, the environmental burden of disease resulting from exposure to PM2.5 concentrations was evaluated. In the Mpumalanga Highveld, particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) exceeded the annual National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) of 20 μg.m-3 and 40 μg.m-3, respectively, for seven out of ten years in the Gert Sibande district and for eight out of ten years in the Nkangala district. The health risk assessment has shown that adults exposed to particulate matter may face non-carcinogenic risks, with a hazard quotient greater than 1. Furthermore, residents in the Gert Sibande district were exposed to healthy ambient air on only 21.73% of the days, moderate ambient air on 38.61%, and unhealthy ambient air on 40.23%. From 2008 to 2009, there were 23,383 and 31,349 cardiopulmonary disease-related mortality cases in the Gert Sibande and Nkangala districts, respectively. The attributable fraction indicates that 4.29% (1,003 deaths from cardiopulmonary diseases) could have been avoided if PM2.5 had been below the annual South African National Ambient Air Quality Standard (SANAAQS) limit in the Gert Sibande district. Moreover, 20.56% (4,807 deaths from cardiopulmonary diseases) could have been avoided if PM2.5 had been below the annual WHO guideline in the same area. The paper recommends that the South African Department of Environmental Affairs should review the SANAAQS.
cardiopulmonary disease-related mortality
Copyright (c) 2026 RIRHANDZU NOVELA https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
EXPOSURE TO HYDROGEN SULPHIDE AMONGST SEWAGE WORKERS IN A METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY IN GAUTENG PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA
The study’s objectives were to determine concentration levels of hydrogen sulphide (H2S) in the working environment and its effects by describing the self-reported health effects and hydrogen sulphide among municipal sewage workers in the City of Johannesburg metropolitan municipality within Gauteng Province. One hundred and fifty- six participants from six different municipal wastewater treatment works were sampled. To determine any relation between self-reported outcomes and hydrogen sulphide exposure, a structured self-administered questionnaire was used. During an eight-hour shift, Drager X- am 5000 gas detectors were used to measure the concentration levels of hydrogen sulphide in the ambient air within three distances from operational sections. Concentration levels of hydrogen sulphide in the ambient air ranged from 0.99 ppm (parts per million) to 39.97 ppm, with a standard deviation (SD) of 8.72 and a mean of 12.83 ppm at a 5-meter distance, in effect the exposure levels were above the international and South African recommended exposure limit for an eight-hour shift. The self-reported health outcomes revealed that 33% of participants suffered from eye irritation, while 35% suffered from tiredness. The results also indicated that 33% of participants experienced headaches. Experiencing a burning sensation in the chest is positively correlated with hydrogen sulphide levels within 10 meters and 15 meters, according to the bivariate analysis. The results provide evidence of a correlation between self-reported outcomes and hydrogen sulphide exposure. The study also highlights that concentration levels of hydrogen sulphide closer to the source are much higher. Despite the current local and international legislation, workers continue to be exposed to higher levels of this harmful gas, thus highlighting the need for interventions.
risk factors and wastewater treatment works workers
Copyright (c) 2026 Charlotte Mokoatle, Bongiwe https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
EVALUATING ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH INVESTIGATIONS: LESSONS FROM THE 2017 LISTERIOSIS OUTBREAK LINKING TO 2024 CHEMICAL FOOD POISONING IN SOUTH AFRICA
A total of 1060 laboratory-confirmed cases of listeriosis and 216 deaths were reported by National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) in South Africa from January 2017 to July 2018. A ready-to-eat, processed meat product called polony was identified as the source of the outbreak. The World Health Organization (WHO) described this as the largest listeriosis outbreak that had ever been detected worldwide. This study aimed to examine the environmental health investigation methods on Listeriosis outbreak in South Africa during that period. The study identified factors to determine their association with the effectiveness of Listeriosis outbreak investigation. The study was conducted amongst 333 Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) at local government, who were directly involved in the outbreak in Gauteng, Western Cape and Kwazulu-Natal as the provinces that recorded the highest number of cases. Quantitative data was collected using a piloted online questionnaire with a set of close-ended and open-ended questions and was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The majority of participants, 316 (94.9%) were trained on outbreak investigation. About 298 (94.3%) of these participants trained in outbreak investigation participated in the 2017-2018 Listeriosis outbreak investigation. While participants reported challenges relating to location of cases to impact the effectiveness of outbreak investigation, other factors including improved human resources (50.8%), tools of trade and technology (30%) and legislative and policy framework (19.2%) were recommended for intervention to ensure effective outbreak investigations. These factors were also highlighted in the recent chemical food poisoning reports as areas of concern requiring urgent intervention. This as a result of the reported 22 children dying from chemical food poisoning-related illnesses since the beginning of 2024. Studies have investigated Listeriosis knowledge levels amongst consumers, analysed media messages on the outbreak and provided reviews on outbreak investigation reports and food systems governance in South Africa. This paper provides the perspective of EHPs knowledge and investigative methods during the outbreak and how these approaches link to the chemical food poisoning.
Copyright (c) 2026 Charlotte Mokoatle, Nector https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION IN SUPPORTING EARLY DETECTION OF CERVICAL CANCER: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF SMARTPHONE APPLICATIONS, DIGITAL EDUCATION, AND TELEMEDICINE TRAINING
Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of death among women worldwide, particularly in developing countries. Low health literacy, a shortage of trained healthcare professionals, and limited access to modern medical facilities are significant barriers to early detection. Technological innovations, including smartphone-based applications, digital education via social media, and telemedicine-based training, offer promising solutions to enhance access to and quality of healthcare services. This study is a systematic review conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta- Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Data were retrieved from multiple electronic databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, and the Cochrane Library. Studies meeting the inclusion criteria were analyzed to assess the effectiveness of digital technologies in supporting early cervical cancer detection. Data extraction and risk assessment were performed independently by two researchers. Eight selected studies demonstrated the effectiveness of technology-based interventions in improving health literacy, diagnostic accuracy, and healthcare worker competence. Digital education delivered via platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook has been shown to enhance knowledge and attitudes among women of reproductive age regarding early cervical cancer detection. Smartphone-based applications utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) achieved an accuracy rate of up to 93.8%, while telemedicine-based mentorship programs improved screening quality, with the Kappa coefficient increasing from 0.64 to 0.79. Technological innovations involving smartphone applications, digital education, and telemedicine mentorship have significant potential to overcome barriers to early cervical cancer detection. These strategies could be integrated into national healthcare programs to expand screening coverage and improve effectiveness, particularly in resource-limited settings.
Copyright (c) 2026 I Gusti Agung Ayu Novya Dewi, A.A.N. Jaya Kusuma, I Made Ady Wirawan, Anak Agung Sagung Sawitri, Kadek Tresna Adhi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH SEVERE OCCUPATIONAL INJURIES AMONG EMPLOYEES IN SONGKHLA PROVINCE, THAILAND: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY (2023)
Occupational injuries remain a major safety and health concern in Thailand. In 2023, over 80,000 cases were reported, with Songkhla province having the highest proportion of severe cases (4.42%) in the southern region. Although laws and preventive measures are in place, occupational injuries still occur frequently. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with severe occupational injuries among employees in Songkhla. This retrospective study used secondary data from the Occupational Safety and Health Center Region 9, Ministry of Labour. The sample included 1,920 employees from 769 companies in 2023, collected using a standardized form. Descriptive statistics summarized the characteristics of injury cases. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with severe injuries, using adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95%CI. Model precision was evaluated with the Hosmer–Lemeshow test and ROC curve. Among 1,920 employees, 1,020 (53.1%) sustained severe injuries. Most occurred in February (AOR=1.8; CI 1.1–2.9), March (AOR=1.9; CI 1.2–3.0), and November (AOR=2.1; CI 1.3–3.4). Higher odds were found in agriculture/fishery sectors (AOR=3.2; CI 1.0–10.1), deep lacerations (AOR=2.2; CI 1.7–2.8), and fractures/dislocations (AOR=3.9; CI 2.9–5.1). Lower odds were found for injuries to the head/face/neck (AOR=0.1; CI 0.01–0.6) and hip/waist/torso (AOR=0.1; CI 0.01–0.9). Leading causes included falling objects (AOR=1.5; CI 1.0–2.3), falls from height (AOR=1.7; CI 1.0–3.1), and transport-related accidents (AOR=4.0; CI 1.8– 9.0). Workplaces with ≥500 employees had higher odds (AOR=1.5; CI 1.0–2.1). The model showed good fit (χ2=5.59, p=0.232) and fair discrimination (AUC=0.705). Severe injuries were significantly associated with month, industry type, nature and location of injury, accident cause, and company size. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions in high-risk sectors, Strengthened enforcement at key times, and sector- specific prevention programs.
Copyright (c) 2026 Mr. Pornchai Chookaew, Asst. Prof. Dr. Tum Boonrod, Asst. Prof. Dr. Thitima na Songkhla, Dr. Witchada Simla, Asst. Prof. Dr. Dusanee Suwankhong, Ms. Supalak Kaeothong, Ms. Huda Juma https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF HAND DIMENSIONS BETWEEN THAI AND OTHER POPULATIONS BY GENDER: A LITERATURE REVIEW
Hand anthropometric data are critical for designing hand-operated tools and devices that appropriately fit human hand dimensions. Well-fitted tools improve usability, comfort, and safety while reducing the risk of hand-related musculoskeletal disorders. A key ergonomic design factor is the anatomical difference between male and female hands, which affects grip strength, reach, and tool interaction. This study conducted a structured literature review to synthesize gender-based differences in hand anthropometry among the Thai population and compare them with international findings. Articles were retrieved using the keywords “Hand Anthropometry” and “Hand Anthropometry AND Thai” from six academic databases: Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, Google Scholar, and TCI. The selection process involved six exclusion steps. First, duplicates and non-anthropometric topics were removed (4 articles). Second, studies unrelated to hand dimensions were excluded (27 articles). Third, studies with fewer than five participants or overly technical focus were excluded (2 articles). Fourth, studies not reporting participant nationality were removed (50 articles). Fifth, studies involving clinical populations or robotics were excluded (12 articles). Sixth, articles lacking sex-disaggregated data or full-text access were removed (12 articles). In total, 45 articles met the inclusion criteria. The analysis showed that Thai males had hand dimensions 3.36–13.42% larger than females, with the most significant differences (over 10%) in hand width. Compared to international studies, hand length in the Thai population demonstrated a greater gender-based gap. These findings emphasize the need to integrate sex-specific anthropometric data in ergonomic design. A nationwide anthropometric survey using standardized digital tools is recommended to support inclusive product development and safety standards in Thailand.
Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
Copyright (c) 2026 Mr. Jakkapong Inporn, Assoc. Prof. Klngduen Pochana, Assoc. Prof. Supapan Chaiprapat https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
AN INVESTIGATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES ON FOOD SAFETY AMONGST STREET FOOD VENDORS IN THE DURBAN CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT, SOUTH AFRICA
To safeguard human health food safety is indispensable. Food safety oversight, which is widespread in expanding informal food sector, causes concern. Hence, the overall objective of this study was to “investigate the level of knowledge and practices on food safety amongst street food vendors in the Durban Central Business District, South Africa”. The investigation was conducted using a descriptive cross-sectional study design, with non- probability convenience sampling utilised to recruit respondents. Three hundred and sixty (360) street food vendors who were selling vendor-cooked foods constituted the research population. The data was collected using a structured questionnaire that was administered by an interviewer. The questionnaire was adapted from similar studies conducted previously. The gathered data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 29 software. In South Africa, hot foods must have a core temperature of ≥+600C while in storage, in transit, or exhibition for sale. Only 23.9% (86) of respondents knew this. Likewise, chilled foods must have a core temperature of ≤+50C while in storage, in transit, or shown for sale. However, only 14.7% (53) of respondents knew this requirement. In reference to water safety, only 42.2% (152) of respondents were aware that water which is safe for use cannot be identified by its appearance. Approximately 14.7% (53) of respondents agreed that alteration in appearance, scent, and flavour does not always have to occur in food that has been contaminated. Concerning practices, only 8.9% (32) of respondents washed their hands with soap and running water. Approximately 51.5% (185) of respondents do not engage in handling food whilst handling cash. A minority of respondents (11.1%, 40) used warmers to keep cooked food. Regarding water safety, distinctive attributes of contaminated food, and storage temperatures street food vendors still lack essential knowledge. It is therefore necessary that street food vendors receive training.
Copyright (c) 2026 Jongikhaya Mbambe, Dr. Tshegofatso Nhabe, Dr. Makhutsisa Charlotte Mokoatle https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
DEVELOPMENT AND FEASIBILITY ASSESSMENT OF A DIGITAL STUNTINGMETER FOR CHILD GROWTH MONITORING IN INDONESIA
Child malnutrition, including stunting, wasting, and underweight, remains a major public health challenge in Indonesia, with long-term consequences on cognitive development, productivity, and national economic growth. Accurate and real-time growth monitoring is essential for the early detection and timely nutritional interventions. This study presents the development and feasibility assessment of the Digital Stuntingmeter, an ultrasonic-based anthropometric device designed to improve measurement accuracy and enable real-time integration with national health information systems. A multiparameter feasibility study was conducted covering technical, economic, social, and regulatory aspects. Technical feasibility was evaluated through laboratory-based accuracy testing by comparing Digital Stuntingmeter measurements with a gold-standard FLUKE laser distance meter. Social feasibility and user acceptance were assessed among 120 health cadres, midwives, and nutritionists using a structured survey based on the Diffusion of Innovations theory and qualitative Force Field Analysis. Economic feasibility was analyzed through production cost estimation, return on investment (ROI), and break-even point calculations, while regulatory feasibility was assessed against national medical device and child anthropometric standards. The results demonstrated high measurement accuracy, with an average deviation of ±0.2 cm, and strong user acceptance, with a mean acceptance score of 8.62 on a 10-point scale. The device supports both offline and online operation and enables real-time data integration with national systems such as e-PPGBM and SIGIZI. Economically, the estimated unit cost was 365 USD, with a positive ROI and a short break-even period under institutional procurement scenarios. The Digital Stuntingmeter shows strong potential for widespread application through institutional adoption in primary health care settings, particularly Posyandu and Puskesmas. With regulatory alignment and a clear commercialization pathway, this innovation offers a scalable and sustainable solution to strengthen child growth monitoring and support national stunting reduction strategies.
Copyright (c) 2026 Tri Siswati, Nurhidayat Nurhidayat, Muhammad Primiaji Rialihanto https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
ANTIMICROBIAL STEWARDSHIP: KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PERCEPTIONS OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE STUDENTS, IN A TERTIARY UNIVERSITY IN SOUTH AFRICA
The excessive use of antimicrobials in agriculture significantly contributes to the development of antimicrobial resistance in human and animal health, and impacts food safety, food security, and the economy of the country. In the fight against antimicrobial resistance equipping future professionals and developing a coordinated intervention designed to improve use of antimicrobial agents is essential in the agriculture sector. The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of final-year students enrolled in plant-related agricultural science programs at the University in South Africa on antimicrobial stewardship. A descriptive cross-sectional study design using a self-administered questionnaire was utilized. The participants were final-year students enrolled in agricultural science programs specializing in plant-related studies. Data was analysed using the IBM SPSS version 28 statistical software. A total of 28 participants which was a 68.29% response rate was attained. The participants demonstrated a solid understanding of antimicrobial stewardship as they all correctly described its role; however, some misconceptions regarding important concepts were observed. The participants demonstrated a positive attitude towards antimicrobial resistance prevention, however, 28.6% felt it is an extra burden. They also recognized the global seriousness of antimicrobial resistance and its threat to them and their families, however, only 32.1% of them felt adequately prepared to contribute to the fight against it. Furthermore, there was moderate, positive association between the participants' overall AMS knowledge and their perception. The association between participants' perceptions and attitudes was found to be moderate and negative. No association was found between their AMS knowledge and their attitude. This study underscores the need to focus on perceptions and attitudes in the preparation of future agricultural science professionals on antimicrobial stewardship.
Copyright (c) 2025 Bheki Magunga https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SAFE WORK PERMIT SYSTEM TRAINING IN IMPROVING WORKPLACE SAFETY UNDERSTANDING: PRE-POST TEST INTERVENTION STUDY
Applying the Safe Work Permit System (SIKA) training is one approach to reduce the number of accidents. Before implementation, SIKA training is crucial as it lays the groundwork for field implementation, followed by a supervision process, weekly audits, and monthly reviews. The SIKA training material provided consists of six material modules, namely SIKA basics, organization-role-responsibility, risk assessment, permit-to-work, audit, and energy isolation. This study adopts an intervention method by providing training designed to evaluate the effectiveness of training in improving participants' understanding of work safety. It aims to evaluate the effectiveness of SIKA training in improving workers' understanding of safety. We used a quantitative approach to conduct a statistical analysis of the collected data, which involved a total of 187 participants divided into 8 training batches. This study employed the paired T-test as its statistical test. The paired sample test's significance value of 0.001, smaller than alpha, leads to the rejection of H0 and the acceptance of H1. Safe Work Permit System Training has a significant impact on improving understanding of work safety. The number of participants who were above the passing grade when the pre-test was only 42 participants (22.46%) increased dramatically to 144 participants (77.01%). SIKA training shows its effectiveness in improving understanding of work safety through a significant increase in results between pre-test and post-test results. However, we need to implement individual monitoring and evaluation after training to close the understanding gap.
Copyright (c) 2025 Marta Rinza https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
CROSS-SECTIONAL POPULATION STUDIES: PREVALENCE OF METABOLIC SYNDROME AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS AMONG MEN IN INDONESIA
: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is rapidly increasing globally. An individual with MetS faces a fivefold increased risk of developing Type II diabetes (T2DM). Indonesia is positioned fifth among the ten countries with the highest prevalence of diabetes patients globally. Diabetes mellitus is a chronic illness that ranks third in mortality in Indonesia. Men with prediabetes have a greater susceptibility to developing T2DM attributable to diminished insulin sensitivity compared to women. This research aimed to ascertain the prevalence and risk factors of MetS among males in Indonesia. The study employed a cross-sectional design involving 9,220 men aged 15 to 97 years, sourced from RISKESDAS 2018. MetS is defined based on 3 criteria (JIS, NCEP/ATPIII, IDF). The risk factors for MetS include body mass index, smoking index, physical activity, alcohol use, intake of unhealthy foods, and consumption of fruits and vegetables. Data analysis with the Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression. The highest prevalence of MetS was recorded using JIS criteria at 19.5%, followed by NCEP/ATP III and IDF criteria at 10.7% and 11.0%, respectively. The prevalence of MetS and its components rises with advancing age. Factors associated with MetS were ages 30-79 years, overweight status, Grade 1 obesity, Grade 2 obesity, Grade 3 obesity, a smoking index of 200-400, a smoking index > 400, moderate physical activity, and poor physical activity. Temuan penelitian ini akan membantu merancang program pencegahan untuk mengendalikan peningkatan prevalensi MetS pada pria di Indonesia.
Copyright (c) 2025 Kirana Anggraini https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
ASSESSING KNOWLEDGE OF TUCK SHOP OWNERS ON FOOD SAFETY IN RELATION TO HYGIENE, FOOD POISONING AND CERTIFICATE OF ACCEPTABILITY IN VOSLOORUS, CITY OF EKURHULENI, SOUTH AFRICA
Abstract World Health Organization reported on the global burden of food-borne diseases by stating that the high death rates in regions such as Africa, has the highest burden of food-borne diseases per population. The incident that occurred in Soweto and other parts of South Africa over the safety of food being sold at tuck shops led to community uproar and panic. The primary objective of the study was to assess the knowledge of tuck shop owners on food safety in relation to hygiene, food poisoning and Certificate of Acceptability (CoA). A quantitative cross-sectional study was used. Participants without Certificate of Acceptability were included. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. The study population was 324 with a sample size of 100%. Data was captured into Microsoft Excel and exported to Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) for analysis. Tuck shop owners with primary and secondary education were significantly likely to be knowledgeable about food safety (OR) 5.88, 95%CI (2.34-14.63), (OR) 1.72, 95%CI (0.89-3.39). Participants who were purchasing food products at a retail shop or food warehouse with a Certificate of Acceptability (n=227; 70.1%) were significantly likely to be knowledgeable about food safety. The participants that did not know food poisoning were significantly more likely males in both crude odds ratio12.03 95% CI (2.87-50.48) and adjusted analysis AOR 8.91, 95% CI (1.89-42.08). About (n=84; 25.9%) of participants did not believe most deaths are also caused by food poisoning from poor hygiene (OR 8.80 95% CI (2.68-28.91) and AOR 8.67, 95%CI (1.83-40.85). The study has shown that tuck shops can be a public health threat in the community due to lack of knowledge of tuck shop owners on food safety and food poisoning which could lead to food poisoning outbreaks and subsequently death.
Copyright (c) 2025 Fun-one Caine https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
YOUTH TUBERCULOSIS TROOPS: MOBILIZING CASE FINDING FOR TB ELIMINATION IN INDONESIA
This research explores the role of adolescents in tuberculosis (TB) prevention through the Laskar TB (Youth Tuberculosis Troops) program in Indonesia. A qualitative research design was employed, with data collected from 52 adolescent volunteers and committee members of the organization through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The study highlights the success of the “Goes To School” program, which effectively increased adolescents’ knowledge about TB and empowered them to become health advocates by disseminating information within their communities. The study also examined the recruitment methods used to attract participants, noting that a combination of formal and informal approaches proved to be effective in engaging youth. However, challenges were identified in sustaining member participation, as many adolescents did not consistently engage in the program’s activities. Despite these challenges, the study concludes that engaging adolescents as active participants and change agents in health education can significantly contribute to raising awareness about TB and advancing the goal of TB elimination. The findings suggest that youth-led initiatives, when properly structured and supported, can play a crucial role in community-based health interventions.
Copyright (c) 2025 Rulliana Agustin, Dumilah Ayuningtyas, Adang Bachtiar; Shania Nursiah Hasri https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Is Desirable Dietary Pattern (DDP) Related to Stunting in Indonesia? Analysis of Food Consumption Pattern based on DDP Score 2018-2022
Indonesia is still struggling with stunting as a public health problem. Food consumption patterns are one of the direct factors that influence nutritional problems. The unbalanced diet of Indonesian people yet, as indicated by the Desirable Dietary Pattern (DDP) score, potentially renders nutritional problems. The study aims to analyze the relationship between DDP score and stunting prevalence during 2018-2022 in Indonesia. This study was a quantitative study with a cross-sectional study design. This study used secondary data DDP scores from the National Food Agency and data on stunting prevalence among children aged 0−59 months from Basic Health Research 2018, Indonesia Child Nutrition Status Survey 2019, stunting prevalence published data 2020 from the Secretariat of the Vice President Indonesia and Indonesia Nutritional Status Survey 2021-2022. The DDP refers to a variety of food and nutrition intake that is calculated based on energy (calorie) consumption, the percentage of different food groups, and numerically stated as a score. The DDP score for a group of foods is calculated by multiplying the energy percentage of each food by a rating, and a higher DDP score indicates a more varied and nutritionally balanced diet. DDP score and stunting prevalence among children aged 0-59 months data were used in this study for five years, from 2018-2022. The results showed that the DDP score 2018-2022 was negatively correlated with stunting prevalence (p<0.05) by linear regression analysis. DDP score increase is related to reducing the prevalence of stunting. Increasing the quality of food consumption driven by increasing food affordability, healthy and nutritious food availability is an important factor in increasing DDP scores as an effort to reduce the prevalence of stunting
desirable dietary pattern, food consumption, stunting, Indonesia
Copyright (c) 2025 Anggit Gantina https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS AS PREDICTORS OF COVID-19 INFECTION, RECOVERY, AND DEATH RATES
The Covid-19 pandemic provided lesson-learnt that ineffective epidemic control was took place when it is only prioritized on individual level and disregard the regional level. This research aims to identify the regional economic characteristics as a basis to districts/cities level pandemic control. This study analyzed infection, recovery, and death cases during the peak wave of the Delta variant on 26 May to 15 July 2021. Data were collected from 128 cities/districts of Java-Bali isles. Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) model was applied to investigate the correlation between intercorrelated health outcomes such as infection, recovery and death cases with regional economic characteristics. The results were divided into three economic characteristic domains that significantly affected the pandemic severity. Firstly, poverty characteristic as poor people density each 10.000 km2 is prevention factor for infectious cases and risk factor for recovery cases. Second, income characteristics i.e. informal worker’s income and formal worker’s wage are the predictors for pandemic severity. Informal worker’s income is risk factor for infectious and death cases, meanwhile formal worker’s is prevention factor for death case. Third, industry characteristic significantly is the predictor for infection and recovery case. Infection case could be prevented by the regional characteristics involve workforce ratio, trade and service workforce, and middle-up enterprise. Recovery case could be prevented by workforce density characteristic and more in risky by trade and service workforce, and middle-up enterprise characteristics. This research provided the basic framework to determine non-pharmaceutical interventions as pandemic countermeasures including mobility and social interaction restriction, work from home, centralized isolation facilities, and empowering hospitalization and intensive-care resources.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ade Heryana, Wiku Adisasmito, Cicilya Candi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
PERCEPTIONS, USES, AND BENEFITS OF HERBAL MEDICINES IN TREATING UTERINE FIBROIDS AMONG BLACK WOMEN IN SOUTH AFRICA
Studies on racial disparity of uterine fibroids (UFs) indicate that Black women are three times more at risk of being diagnosed than other racial groups. Yet most available trusted medical treatments for UFs and public health policy overlook this common illness as well as the needs of Black women. This study examines the perceptions, uses and benefits of herbal medicines used for the treatment of UFs amongst South African women. Online testimonies and reviews from clients were retrieved from the suppliers' online pages (n=60) and social media platforms: Instagram (n=6) and TikTok (n=18). Data analysed through thematic analysis revealed seven themes. i.e. i): regulating the menstrual cycle, ii)' relief from unpleasant menstrual symptoms', iii) 'proof that the medicines are working -confirmed by a medical practitioner', iv) 'proof that the medicines are working confirmed by medical practitioner', v)' reasons for using herbal medicines', vi)' time lapse before feeling the effects of the herbal medicines and vii)' other female reproductive benefits'. Women appreciate the ability of herbal medicines to relieve menstrual pains, regulate the cycle, and improve overall sexual reproductive health. However, the research gaps in ascertaining herbal medicines' efficacy still need to be addressed. Further studies are required to investigate the correlation between reduced symptomology, a placebo effect, the mechanism of action and the associated safety profile of herbal medicines.
Copyright (c) 2025 Njabulo Mbanda https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL TRAINING AMONG HEALTHCARE WORKERS: A SURVEY OF GAPS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE AT A NAMIBIAN HOSPITAL
Infection prevention and control is crucial in preventing the spread of infections in hospital settings and healthcare workers play a vital role in preventing such healthcare associated infections. However, globally, hospitals in low- and middle-income countries experience challenges in infection prevention and control. Such challenges shown in private hospitals to be attributed to a “lack of trained staff”, and insufficient information and technology support, which therefor necessitate research in public settings. A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted at a hospital in Namibia using non-probability convenience sampling to recruit 118 healthcare workers as participants. The study looked to identify gaps in the training of healthcare workers in infection prevention and control at the hospital. A self-administered pre coded questionnaire with was used as the research instrument to collect data. Data collected was entered on a customised Microsoft excel spreadsheet before being exported to Statistical Package for Social Science version 28 for analysis. Notably, 23% of participants felt that they had not received enough training in infection prevention and control practices during their training as health professionals. A considerable 55.9% of participants did not receive training in infection prevention and control when they started working at the hospital. In addition, 53.4% of participants did not receive any training on proper selection and use of personal protective equipment. Significantly, 71.2% of participants did not receive any follow-up training in infection prevention and control at the hospital. The study findings highlight the need for improvement in programmes targeted at training of healthcare workers on infection prevention and control in hospitals. Such training remains critical during clinical practice whilst training to be healthcare professionals, at entry into healthcare service and continuously along the provision of healthcare service to curb and prevent the spread of infections amongst patients, healthcare workers themselves and visitors to the hospitals.
Copyright (c) 2025 Makhutsisa Charlotte Mokoatle https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
BARRIERS AND SUPPORT SYSTEMS FOR EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING AMONG WORKING MOTHERS IN INDONESIA: A SOCIO-CULTURAL AND POLICY PERSPECTIVE
Despite the well-documented health benefits of breastfeeding for both mothers and infants, reintegration into the workforce postpartum presents a significant challenge. WHO (2023) stated that only 20% of countries worldwide require employers to provide paid maternity leave and facilities for breastfeeding or expressing breast milk. A rapidly growing female labor force participation rate exceeding 38.98% in Indonesia makes fostering supportive workplace environments critical. This study investigates the role of workplace social support in promoting breastfeeding practices among working mothers in Indonesia. This qualitative literature review employed Scopus, Science Direct, ProQuest, Google Scholar, and Crossref to understand essential forms of workplace breastfeeding social support, through the keywords “social support" and “exclusive breastfeeding” and workplace and "working mothers" and Indonesia. A comprehensive search of relevant databases yielded 1145 articles. Through a rigorous selection process, 23 articles were identified, published between 2012 and May 2024, comprising 11 quantitative and 12 qualitative studies. The primary barriers to breastfeeding in the workplace are: 1) lack of lactation facilities, 2) insufficient workplace support, and 3) unsupportive workplace policies. The review identified three crucial categories of workplace social support: informational support (providing access to lactation consultants, educational materials, and current information), instrumental support (implementing formalized breastfeeding policies, dedicated lactation facilities, extended maternity leave, flexible work arrangements, workload adjustments, and childcare options near workplaces), and peer support (facilitating participation in breastfeeding support groups and fostering communication networks among mothers). By implementing comprehensive social support, workplaces can empower working mothers to provide breast milk for their infants. Workplaces should provide dedicated facilities and resources to support mothers in nursing or expressing breast milk, fostering an environment that promotes exclusive breastfeeding among working mothers. Limitation: this article is a secondary review that relies on the quality of existing studies, although the studies were conducted through a rigorous selection process.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ni Wayan Dian Ekayanthi, Besral https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
RISK FACTORS OF PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS IN CHILDREN (0-14 YEARS): SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW
Pulmonary tuberculosis poses a major global health challenge, particularly among children. Accurate and early diagnosis is critical for effective treatment, yet diagnosing pulmonary tuberculosis in children is often complicated by their nonspecific clinical symptoms and the difficulties in collecting samples. This study aims to identify the risk factors and comorbidities associated with tuberculosis in children. The research methodology employed is a systematic literature review (SLR), with data gathered by documenting all relevant international journal articles sourced from four databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and ProQuest. During the review process using the PRISMA Flow Diagram, only 7 of the 152 records were initially identified after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. Key results reveal that HIV infection greatly increases the risk of tuberculosis in children due to weakened immune systems. Malnutrition is another significant factor, with undernourished children facing a much higher risk of contracting tuberculosis. Breastfeeding practices were also found to influence tuberculosis rates, with improper practices associated with higher incidences. Additionally, a history of contact with tuberculosis patients and lower socioeconomic status were found to increase the likelihood of developing the disease. Vitamin D deficiency was also identified as a potential factor influencing tuberculosis outcomes in children. This study highlights several key risk factors for pediatric pulmonary tuberculosis. Tackling these issues through comprehensive healthcare measures could improve early detection and targeted interventions, so it has better health outcomes for children at risk. The government's policy strategy regarding End TB 2030 is also the basis for what must be done immediately to prevent an increase in pulmonary tuberculosis mortality rates.
Copyright (c) 2025 Machrumnizar Machrumnizar, Adang Bachtiar, Rina Kurniasri Kusumaratna, Nikmatul Hidayah, Ruth Christy Setyaningtyas , Meiyanti Meiyanti https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
MEANINGFUL PARTICIPATION OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES TO ENSURE ENHANCED ACCESS TO SEXUAL REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH (SRH) INFORMATION AND SERVICES IN INDIA
India is home to an estimated 370 million young people, the largest in the world (Census 2011, Population Projections for India and States, 2011 – 2036) making Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) a critical component for ensuring health and well-being of young people thereby contributing to their holistic development. Given the current policy environment in the country, there are only two government programmes namely Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (focuses on adolescents, below age of 18) and Mission Parivar Vikas (focuses on married couples, both over and under the age of 18) with provisions for ensuring access to information and services pertaining to SRH. These programs have an obvious blind spot, with unmarried young people over the age of 18 left out from the service provision. Therefore, the challenge to address the diverse SRH needs of young people still persists. In order to comprehend the obstacles involved in the SRH service delivery for young people, a qualitative assessment was conducted through 90 key informant interviews with health service providers and RKSK programme implementers identified using randomised sampling technique across 10 states. The qualitative data was codified and analysed to highlight the key findings based on the narratives and anthology of the respondent’s feedback. The qualitative assessment led by young people highlighted the lack of awareness, staggered access to information among adolescents about the SRH services, low footfall of adolescents at Adolescent Friendly Health Clinics (AFHCs), incompetent and judgemental service delivery by the providers as key findings behind high unmet need of SRH services among young people. Using this data, youth champions across four states supported the government health functionaries in anchoring 6 Adolescent Health and Wellness Days (AHWDs) influencing about 2.5 lac people. This model of ecosystem approach of centering young people’s experiences to strengthen, design and deliver programmes ensures sustainability and effectiveness of SRH initiatives
Copyright (c) 2025 Abhinav Pandey; Nidhi; Tuteja P, Sadiqe S https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
INCREASING THE UPTAKE OF SKILLED CARE THROUGH TRADITIONAL BIRTH ATTENDANTS IN NIGERIA: A SCOPING REVIEW
The advocacy to increase skilled care services uptake for pregnant women has become part of the fight against reducing maternal mortality, particularly in developing countries. Using traditional birth attendants, this approach has initiated formal training sessions aimed at changing their mindsets and increasing accessibility of maternity services for all women in communities through this strategy. Therefore, the aim of this study is to identify gaps that exist within the formal training programmes conducted in Nigeria to understand approaches that can further assist in integrating TBAs into the healthcare system. Using a scoping review approach, a protocol was developed from the Arksey and O’Malley framework and Joan Briggs Institute guidelines for a detailed search strategy. 5 databases were searched including, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Psyche App. 16 articles were identified, which met the inclusion criteria developed. Data was analysed using thematic analysis through continuously mapping and reviewing of information to develop 4 themes. These are HIV coverage programmes to improve MTCT, Postnatal referral practices, Immunisation strategy uptake and Infection control practices. The findings suggest that implemented strategies and policies on formal training are not generalized despite evidence of training conducted across several regions. Furthermore, methods of post-training assessment are not equal due to independent agencies having control over training sessions. Moreover, community-based level research was mostly conducted while assessing the overall impact of the intervention rather than specific to TBAs opinions. Therefore, future recommendations are to focus on understanding TBAs perceptions towards sustainability of the training programmes and increasing skilled care services for all women.
Copyright (c) 2025 Hauwau Mohammed, Dr. , Professor https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF COMPUTER VISION SYNDROME AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
Online schooling and prolonged screen time can cause eye strain, dry eyes, watery eyes, itching, and headaches in college students. This study investigates how spending more time on screens during online classes affects the eye health of university students in South Africa. The study involved 349 university students attending online classes during the COVID lockdown. Data were collected via questionnaires, and univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate association strengths. The prevalence of Computer Vision Syndrome among students was 68%, a higher prevalence of CVS was found among female students (63%) compared to male students (37%). Results from the adjusted model showed that female students were more likely to report CVS than male students (OR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.07-2.67, p=0.023). Students within the age group 26-35 were less likely to report CVS as compared to students within the age group 18-25 (OR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.22-0.72, p =0.002). Postgraduate students were less likely to report CVS than undergraduate students (OR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.25-0.67, P <0.001). Students with more than one gadget were more likely to report having CVS, 2 gadgets (OR = 2.73, 95% CI: 1.32-5.62, p=0.007) and >2 gadgets (OR = 2.47, 95% CI: 0.99-6.14, P= 0.005). Students with family history of eye-defect were more likely to report eye defect (OR = 2.59, 95% CI: 1.53-4.38. P<0.001). CVS has a high prevalence amongst university students. Frequent pauses during screen use using customized apps or the 20-20-20 rule (to focus on 20 feet every 20 minutes for 20 seconds) should be performed by students while using their gadgets.
Copyright (c) 2025 Bukola Oluwarinde, Nonhlanhla Tlotleng, Vusumuzi Nkosi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
COST-EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS OF ADJUVANT OSIMERTINIB IN RESECTED EGFR-MUTATED EARLY-STAGE NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER IN THAILAND
Lung cancer is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. One-third of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients are diagnosed in resectable stage, for which curative surgery is the cornerstone of treatment. Adjuvant osimertinib, a third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR TKI), was shown to significantly reduce recurrence and prolong survival for completely resected EGFR-mutated NSCLC. We performed a cost-effectiveness analysis of adjuvant osimertinib compared to placebo in patients with resected stage IB to IIIA EGFR-mutated NSCLC using Thailand’s societal perspective. A Markov model estimated the lifetime costs and health benefits of osimertinib versus placebo, including three health states: disease-free, recurrent disease, and death, tracked over a lifetime using 4-week cycles. Results were reported as 2023 USD incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained. The result showed that a virtual patient receiving osimertinib had 2.36 more QALYs than one receiving the placebo, at an incremental cost of 62,604.90 USD. Compared to the placebo group, treatment with adjuvant osimertinib had an ICER of 26,474.02 USD/QALY gained. Therefore, osimertinib was not cost-effective at the Thai willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold of 4,619 USD/QALY gained. The drug price would need to be reduced by at least 85.07% for osimertinib to be cost-effective. In summary, adjuvant osimertinib for resected EGFR-mutated NSCLC patients is not cost-effective according to Thailand’s current WTP threshold. Negotiating drug costs and managed entry agreements could improve patient access to this effective treatment.
Copyright (c) 2025 Supitchaya Changsatja, Chayanis Kositamongkol, Lucksamon Thamlikitkul, Pochamana Phisalprapa, Touchanun Komonpaisarn https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
PSYCHOSOCIAL HEALTH AMONG SURROGATE MOTHERS
This study investigates the psychosocial health of Thai surrogates with a focus on advancing the development of surrogacy health promotion and policy at both national and international levels. Employing semi-structured telephonic interviews with fifteen Thai women who had served as surrogates within the previous seven years, the research identified four thematic dimensions—mental, environmental, social, and spiritual health—unveiling various aspects of surrogates' psychosocial well-being. Despite generally positive sentiments and the absence of perceived health risks, the study uncovered a noticeable impact on psychosocial health outcomes. The conclusion underscores the complexity of surrogates' psychosocial well-being, emphasizing their understanding of roles, spiritual fulfillment, and familial support. Additionally, it sheds light on unforeseen consequences of surrogacy bans, advocates for regulatory reform, and stresses the imperative for international cooperation to safeguard the well-being of all involved in surrogacy.
Copyright (c) 2024 Dulmi Udage https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
THE ROLE OF RADIO PROGRAMMES IN MITIGATING HIV AND AIDS AMONG FEMALE SEX WORKERS IN BLANTYRE
In Malawi, the prevalence of HIV among Female Sex Workers (FSWs) is high, with 49.9% of them infected. Various interventions, such as using radio to disseminate behavioral change messages to the group, have been implemented. However, there is limited data on the role of radio programmes in HIV and AIDS prevention among FSWs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of radio programs in the prevention of HIV and AIDS among FSWs. The study employed mixed methods, with quantitative and qualitative data collected concurrently through questionnaires and focus group discussions. Convenient and Snowballing techniques were employed to acquire numeric data, while purposeful sampling was used to obtain qualitative data. The study's ethical standards were followed. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed using excel, SPSS version 20 and theme analysis, respectively. The majority of the participants 47/76 (61.8%) get HIV information from the hospital when they go for medication assistance. Four participants (5.3%) listen to the radio. The study findings show that the majority of the FSWs do not listen to behavioural change radio programmes that are aired on various radio stations in Malawi as only 5 percent listen to the radio. The majority listen when they bump into the programmes. Radio might be regarded as a powerful tool in disseminating messages but not all health communication programmes are effective as also established by (Scalway, 2010). The majority of the participants (57.9 percent) stated that the role of behaviour change communication is to convey messages of HIV prevention and to avoid transmitting/contracting the virus. On factors that contribute towards behaviour change of FSWs, the study found that most FSWs earn a living through commercial sex work. This is in agreement with findings by Brents and Sanders (2010) who reported that financial drivers often push people into sex work. By implication, there is a need for initiatives that can empower FSWs economically.
Copyright (c) 2024 Theresa Kasawala, F Chikunkhuzeni , G Kadzakumanja https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND IRON INTAKE ARE NOT ASSOCIATED WITH BREAST MILK IRON LEVELS IN BREASTFEEDING MOTHERS WITH 0-6 MONTHS OLD BABY
Exclusive breastfeeding can reduce the risk of anemia in infants, even though the iron content in breast milk is low, the absorption rate of iron is quite high. The nutritional content of breast milk can be influenced by the mother's diet and nutritional status. This study aims to determine the relationship between nutritional status and iron intake with breast milk iron levels in breastfeeding mothers of infants aged 0-6 months. This study was an analytic observational study with a cross-sectional approach conducted in Seluma Regency. The population in this study were all breastfeeding mothers of infants aged 0-6 months. A total of 78 people were taken with the purposive sampling technique. Nutritional status was obtained by measuring height and weight and calculated by the Body Mass Index formula. Iron intake was measured using the Semi-Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire method for the last 1 month, while the measurement of breast milk iron levels was carried out by the spectrophotometric method. Data on characteristics were obtained using a questionnaire. Furthermore, the data were analyzed univariately and bivariately. Nutritional status measurements showed that 87.2% of breastfeeding mothers had normal nutritional status. Iron intake data showed that 82.1% of breastfeeding mothers had low iron intake and the results of measuring Fe levels in breast milk showed that only 16.6% had low breast milk iron levels . The results showed that there was no significant relationship between nutritional status with Fe levels in breast milk (p=0.762>0.05) and iron intake with Fe levels in breast milk (p=0.291). Nutritional status and iron intake are not associated with breast milk iron levels in breastfeeding mothers of 0-6 months old baby. Monitoring maternal health since pregnancy is necessary to obtain adequate breast milk in quality and quantity.
Copyright (c) 2024 Rostika Flora, DK Arifah , A Rahmiwati, F Harwanto , M Zulkarnain , H Hasyim , NA Fajar, N Ermi, AB Jasmine, Aguscik, Ikhsan, S Slamet , Y Purnama, N Sulung https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE THE SENSE OF ATTACHMENT TO THE COMMUNITY IN THE JAPANESE SUBURBAN POPULATION
This study aimed to identify what drives community attachment among suburban residents. Methods: In a cross-sectional analysis, 4,301 individuals (1,792 males, 2,480 females) from four Japanese regions were surveyed in 2019. A negative binomial regression model adjusted for area, age, and sex was used to calculate prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for neighborhood attachment factors. Multiple imputation with the fully conditional specification method addressed missing values. Results: The prevalence of the sense of attachment to the community was 82.3%. Years of residence ≥ 20 vs. ≤ 10 years (PR: 1.07; 95% CI: 1.01–1.13); satisfaction with the environment of nursing care in the residential area (PR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.03–1.09); ease of walking on the streets (PR: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.06–1.13); satisfaction with natural surroundings of the community (PR: 1.37; 95% CI: 1.23–1.54); satisfaction with the convenience of daily shopping, medical care, welfare, and cultural facilities (PR: 1.05; 95% CI: 1.02–1.09); satisfaction with engagement with neighbors and community (PR: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.08–1.18); presence of people in the community who can be consulted about problems (PR: 1.07; 95% CI: 1.03–1.11); degree of relationship with neighbors who would speak upon meeting vs. almost no relationship (PR: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.09–1.18); and presence of close friends in the community (PR: 1.07; 95% CI: 1.02–1.12) were significantly associated with a sense of attachment to the community. Conclusion: When developing a community, the factors that influenced the sense of attachment to the community should be considered by municipalities
Copyright (c) 2024 Shigekazu Ukawa, Yusuke Kato, Yonggeun Lee, Kazuoki Ohara, Kazuhiko Mori https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
IDENTIFICATION OF THE ARRHYTHMIAS AND MYOCARDIAL INFRACTION IN PILGRIMS VISITING KEDARNATH TEMPLE IN UTTARAKHAND USING A SMARTPHONE 12- LEAD ECG DEVICE
Every year, about 1.5 million pilgrims visit the 14 km long Kedarnath temple trek on foot at the height of 3584 meters above sea level. In 2022, the months of May and June reported a drastic increase in mortality due to Myocardial infarction in the pilgrims. Hence, a health camp was organized for heart health checkups in the symptomatic pilgrims. In the heart checkup camp, screening of symptomatic pilgrims was done using the smartphone-based Spandan 12 lead ECG device developed by Sunfox Technologies Private Limited, India. A Standard operating procedure was followed for monitoring and follow-up of the pilgrims with ongoing arrhythmias or Myocardial Infarction. The ECGs of the pilgrims with persistent symptoms like palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, and past medical history of hypertension, coronary interventions, smoking behavior, and diabetes were collected at the health camp. The reports with abnormal ECG were provided with immediate referral to the health care center. Whereas a tablet of 150 mg anti-platelet drug was given to pilgrims having critical and abnormal ECG. These pilgrims were immediately referred to the nearby district hospital. A total of 2343 pilgrims visited the Health camp for the screening, out of which 583 cases were pre-screened to be prone to cardiac abnormalities. The 12 lead ECGs collected from heart abnormalities prone patients were shared with a cardiologist at the Nodal center in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. 423 ECGs were interpreted as normal, 62 were abnormal, and 90 pilgrims were critical. Follow-ups taken after two days for pilgrims detected early for the abnormal and critical ECGs reported no casualties. Smartphone-based ECG device presents an impact in saving the lives of the people in Kedarnath by accessing the status of their cardiac health before trekking to the Kedarnath temple.
Copyright (c) 2024 yogendra singh, nitin chandola, Rajat Jain, Saurabh Badola, Anmol Jindal https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
FACTOR RELATED WITH WORK STRESS ON SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS TEACHER IN PADANG CITY
Work stress is a common phenomenon experienced by workers, including teachers, that can result in feelings of pressure and other adverse symptoms. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors associated with work stress among teachers in Public Special Schools in Padang City in 2022, using a quantitative cross-sectional design. A total sampling technique was used to recruit 32 teachers who are not have special school background and met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The data were collected using a questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS software and the chi-square test. The results of the study showed that 62.5% of the teachers experienced heavy work stress, with environmental, organizational, and individual factors all contributing to this stress. Specifically, 65.5% of teachers experienced risky environmental factors, 62.5% experienced risky organizational factors, and 65.6% experienced individual risk factors. The bivariate analysis indicated that there was a statistically significant relationship between work stress and environmental factors (p = 0.035), organizational factors (p = 0.014), and individual factors (p = 0.005) among teachers in Special Schools in Padang City in 2022. These findings suggest that school should update and improve teaching and learning facilities and work collaboratively to create a conducive work environment. Additionally, institutions should recognize and reward teachers for their passion and giving motivation while teaching.
Copyright (c) 2024 Nurmaines Adhyka, Sri Mindayani, Salsabila Khusen https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF HEALTH EDUCATION AND MEDIA USING LOCAL LANGUAGE IN IMPROVING REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH KNOWLEDGE AMONG ADOLESCENTS
Health education and media have been identified as strategies to improve adolescents' reproductive health knowledge, but barriers can be influenced by cultural context, including language. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of health education and media using the local language in improving reproductive health knowledge among adolescents in Bhuana Giri Village, Karangasem. The research design is a quasi-experimental two-group pre-posttest design, and purposive sampling was used to select the samples. A total of 50 students aged 12 to 17 years participated in the study. The first group received health education and media in the local language on reproductive health topics, while the other group received the same topics in the national language. Data analysis used the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Mann-Whitney test with a significant level of 0.05. The results showed that both interventions led to significant improvements in reproductive health knowledge. There was an effect of giving health education and media using the local language (p<0.001) and the national language (p=0.004). Based on the results of the Mann-Whitney test, there was a significant difference in effectiveness with p=0.005, and using the local language proved more effective in increasing adolescents' knowledge about reproductive health. Health education and media using the local language enable effective communication and interaction to avoid misunderstandings that can arise. The study's findings underscore the potential of culturally tailored educational materials to enhance learning outcomes in public health initiatives for adolescents.
I Gusti Agung Ayu Berlian Audya Parimayuna
Copyright (c) 2024 I Gusti Agung Ayu Berlian Audya Parimayuna, Ni Made Padma Batiari, Ni Wayan Candra Aswari https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0