Made Agus Nurjana

Schistosoma japonicum is a zoonotic trematode that infects both humans and animals in endemic areas of Indonesia. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of S. japonicum infection in cattle and water buffalo and to compare molecular and microscopic diagnostic approaches. A total of 89 fecal samples (51 cattle and 38 water buffalo) were collected from endemic villages in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. Samples were examined using the Kato–Katz technique and real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Infection prevalence was calculated for each species, and differences between host species were analyzed using the chi-square or Fisher’s exact test. Diagnostic agreement between methods was assessed using McNemar’s test and Cohen’s kappa coefficient. qPCR detected S. japonicum DNA in 52.9% (27/51) of cattle and 5.3% (2/38) of water buffalo, whereas Kato–Katz identified infections in 21.6% (11/51) of cattle and 2.6% (1/38) of water buffalo. Overall, qPCR detected 29 infections compared with 12 detected by Kato–Katz. Infection prevalence was significantly higher in cattle than in water buffalo (p < 0.001). Diagnostic agreement between qPCR and Kato–Katz was moderate (κ = 0.49). When qPCR was used as the reference comparator, Kato–Katz detected 41.4% of qPCR-positive samples. These findings suggest that cattle may have a greater epidemiological contribution to environmental contamination than water buffalo in the study area. Molecular diagnostics detected substantially more infections than microscopy and may improve surveillance sensitivity in endemic settings.

Stunting terjadi akibat kekurangan gizi jangka panjang yang menyebabkan defisit energi, protein, dan zat gizi mikro, sehingga mengganggu perkembangan fisik dan mental anak. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengidentifikasi faktor-faktor yang memengaruhi stunting pada anak di bawah lima tahun (balita) di Provinsi Sulawesi Tengah. Analisis dilakukan menggunakan metode kuantitatif dengan desain cross-sectional berdasarkan data Riset Kesehatan Dasar (Riskesdas) 2018. Sampel terdiri dari 1.351 anak usia 0–59 bulan. Analisis multivariat menunjukkan bahwa determinan stunting adalah jenis kelamin, usia balita, kepemilikan buku kesehatan ibu dan anak (KIA), tinggi badan ibu, indeks massa tubuh (IMT) ayah, tempat persalinan, dan perilaku cuci tangan pakai sabun (CTPS) ibu (p-value < 0,05). Hasil penelitian ini diharapkan mendukung Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Republik Indonesia (DPR RI), khususnya Komisi IX, dalam mengawasi kebijakan penanganan stunting dengan fokus pada faktor utama penyebabnya. Upaya yang perlu ditingkatkan meliputi edukasi gizi bagi ibu, kemudahan akses layanan kesehatan, dan perbaikan ekonomi keluarga. Selain itu, pelayanan stunting harus terus diperbaiki untuk menjamin tumbuh kembang anak optimal.

To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of a rapid diagnostic test based on immunochromatography for detecting IgG antibodies in serum against Schistosoma japonicum in Indonesia. Blood and stool samples were collected from an endemic area in Indonesia to compare and evaluate the applicability of using a JDBIOTECH Schi IgG Rapid Test. Based on the research results, out of the total of 226 individuals, 38 individuals were declared positive for S. japonicum infection by microscopic examination, in which 36 individuals were declared positive while 2 individuals were declared negative for the infection by JDBIOTECH Schi IgG Rapid Test. Out of the 226 samples, 190 individuals were declared negative for S. japonicum infection by microscopic examination, 186 individuals were declared negative, while 4 individuals were declared positive for the infection by JDBIOTECH Schi IgG Rapid Test. The sensitivity and specificity of the JDBIOTECH Schi IgG Rapid Test were 94.44% (95% CI 81.34-99.32%) and 97.89% (95% CI 94.70-99.42%), respectively. Evaluation of JDBIOTECH Schi IgG Rapid Test for the detection of Schistosoma japonicum in Indonesia has yielded promising results. The test exhibited high sensitivity, correctly identifying 34 out of 36 confirmed cases. Furthermore, it demonstrated excellent specificity by accurately identifying 186 out of 190 uninfected individuals. These findings highlight the substantial potential of the JDBIOTECH Schi IgG Rapid Test as a valuable tool for the early diagnosis of Schistosoma japonicum infections within the Indonesian population.

Typhoid fever is one of the common enteric fevers in developing countries, especially in emerging metropolitan areas in Indonesia. Yet, studies on spatial and temporal distribution of tyhoid fever are lacking. This study was conducted to analyze retrospective hospital-based data at the village level over the period 2017-2023 to understand the spatial and temporal variation of typhoid fever in Jakarta. Spatial analyses were performed by Moran’s I and Local Indicators of Spatial Association (LISA) to examine spatial clustering of typhoid incidence and to identify high-risk villages for typhoid fever, respectively. Seasonal decomposition analysis was performed to investigate the seasonality of this infection. A total of 57,468 typhoid cases, resulting in a cumulative incidence of 533.99 per 100,000 people, were reported during the study period. The incidence was significantly clustered (I=0.548; p=0.001) at the village level across Jakarta. Statistically significant high-risk clusters were detected in the South and East of Jakarta that were heterogeneous over time. We identified seven persistent high-risk clusters in the eastern part of the city and two in the southern part. Moreover, the typhoid incidence showed a strong seasonality trend, significantly associated with monthly total rainfall (p=0.018). The study revealed a significant spatial variation with strong seasonality in typhoid incidence across the city suggesting a variation in transmission intensity and needs for effective public health interventions, especially in the high-risk areas. Improvement in water and sanitation facilities, hygiene awareness and surveillance are essential to help reduce typhoid transmission in Jakarta.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is still a health problem in Poso District. This can be seen from the high number of DHF cases and potential outbreaks from 2017 to 2018. The local government took the initiative to prevent DHF outbreaks in Poso Regency. The Central Sulawesi Provincial Health Office and the Poso Regency Health Office have implemented onehouse one-larvae observer program in the Poso Kota Selatan District area by engaging the local government and community. The implementation of the program and its accomplishments requires evaluation. This study aims to evaluate the one-house one-larvae observer program using input, process, output, and outcome indicators. The research adopts a descriptive-qualitative approach, employing observation and interviews within an evaluation research design. Data analysis was performed using interpretation and triangulation methods. Policy documents are available, and human resources supporting the program are in compliance with the decree. However, the budget for the program is insufficient, while the available infrastructure is sufficient. The process indicators demonstrate satisfactory progress. Based on outputs, there was an increase in achievement against the program target of the number of buildings inspected by house larvae observers over four years. The outcome indicator in the form of the larvae-free rate increased by >90% during one year of program implementation. The implementation of local innovations initiated by the Regency Health Office and stakeholders’ engagement has been proven to increase community participation in programs that impact the achievement of program outputs and outcomes.

Background: Depression is a mental health disorder. The prevalence of mental health disorders in the elderly is high. Aims: This study was to determine the mental status depression and emotional of the elderly based on their characteristics. Methods: This study was a further analysis of Basic Health Research 2018 data. The population was all households from all districts/cities in 33 provinces in Indonesia with a cross-sectional design. The sample was all elderly, with a total sample of 82,304,000 people. The respondents included young elderly (60–69 years), middle elderly (70–79 years), and old elderly (>80 years). Result: Depression is experienced by most of elderly aged 60 to 69 years as many as 3,756,384 respondents (59.72%), females as many as 3,885,191 respondents (61.77%), living in urban areas, as many as 3,147,131 respondents (50.03%), graduated from elementary school as many as 2,052,22 respondents (32.63%), not working as many as 3,535,241 respondents (56.21%), and quintile one expenditure level as many as 1,532,358 respondents (24.36%). Conclusions: Emotional disorders of depression in elderly are due to the adaptation process to physical and psychosocial changes. Family support is a must to improve elderly’s quality of life on mental health aspects, especially depression. Furthermore, better treatment by medical personnel is required.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of Mycobacterium (M.) tuberculosis infection and its associated risks in children under fifteen years of age. Methods: Based on secondary data from the 2018 Indonesian Basic Health Survey (RISKESDAS 2018), this cross-sectional study employed M. tuberculosis infection in children as a dependent variable and age level, sex, region, location, family case positive, and smoking as independent variables. Geospatial analysis was applied to show the prevalence of M. tuberculosis infection and multivariate regression was performed to analyze the risk factors of getting the infection among children under 15 years of age. Results: Prevalence ranges of M. tuberculosis infection among children aged 0-14 years, babies (age M. tuberculosis infection among children under 15 years of age was found in Papua and other provinces, such as Kalimantan and Java. Contacting with tuberculosis family members was positively associated with M. tuberculosis infection in children as shown by multivariate logistic regression (OR 8.94; 95% CI 5.4-14.6, PM. tuberculosis infection among children in Indonesia. Therefore, screening the household for contact with tuberculosis patients is a preventive treatment for children.

One of the factors that influence the development of mosquitoes is the water container. This study was performed to determine the relationship between the characteristics of water containers and the preferable conditions for laying eggs by Aedes sp. A single larva method was conducted during March 2019 in 300 houses in two villages (Turikale and Adatongeng) at Maros Regency, Indonesia. In total, 1,269 water containers were considered, and among them buckets were found to be the most common container. Logistic regression analysis showed that the type, container location, and weekly drainage were related to the presence of larvae/pupae in the Maros Regency (p-value < 0.05). Non-water containers, which are kept indoors and are not drained at least once a week, have a greater chance of breeding Aedes sp. More attention is given to non-water containers that are located inside the house. Prevention activities, especially draining water containers properly at least once a week ensures that they do not become breeding sites for Aedes sp. mosquitoes and helps to prevent the transmission of dengue viral fever.

Background: Childhood obesity is a major public health concern as it increases the risk of premature death and adult disability. Globally, the latest estimates showed that more than 340 million children and adolescents between the ages of 5 and 19 were overweight or obese in 2016. This study aimed to investigate the disparities in childhood overweight and obesity across 514 districts in Indonesia, based on geographic and socioeconomic factors. Methods: Geospatial and quantitative analyses were performed using the latest Indonesian Basic Health Survey data from 2018. Dependent variables were rates of overweight and obesity among children aged 5–17 years including by gender. Results: This study found that the rates of overweight were 17.2%, 17.6%, and 16.8% among all children, boys, and girls, while the rates of obesity were 7.0%, 7.9%, and 6.1%, respectively. Boys were 1.30 times more likely to be obese than girls, while overweight was similar between both sexes. Urban cities had significantly higher prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity compared with rural districts by up to 1.26 and 1.32 times, respectively. In addition, the most developed region had significantly higher prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity than the least developed region by up to 1.37 and 1.38 times, respectively. With regard to socioeconomic factors, our analysis demonstrated a notable disparity in the prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity across income quintiles. Specifically, the wealthiest districts exhibited a 1.18 times higher prevalence of overweight and obesity among all children compared with the poorest districts. This association was particularly pronounced among boys; in the richest quintile, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 1.24 and 1.26 times higher, respectively, in comparison to the poorest income quintile. In contrast, district-level education appears to exhibit an inverse relationship with the prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity, although the findings were not statistically significant.