Disease Prevention and Public Health Journal

Mapping and Clustering COVID-19 Cases in Kudus District

Dyah Retno Safitri, Dwi Sarwani Sri Rejeki, Sri Nurlaela, Rosita Dwi Jayanti — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Kudus District contributed the high case fatality rate (10%) of Coronavirus Disease at the end of 2020 in Central Java Province, one of the provinces which was the center of Coronavirus Disease transmission in Indonesia. Spatial analysis is useful for identifying areas of grouping or clusters of cases that indicate high risk areas so that prevention measures can be developed specifically in those areas. This study aimed to map and identify clusters of Coronavirus Disease cases in Kudus District. Method: An observational method with a case study design was conducted involving all confirmed cases of Coronavirus Disease from January to April 2021 in Kota Subdistrict, totaling 257 cases. Spatial analysis included overlay and buffering processed using ArcGIS, and clustering processed using SaTScan. Results: The study results showed that cases tended to be spread evenly across all villages, with the highest number of cases (8.2%) observed in Mlati Norowito Village. Spatial analysis revealed that the majority of cases were concentrated in villages with a population density of 8,001-12,000 people/km² (51.7%) and villages with a number of social assistance recipients of 801-1,200 (36.6%), residing less than 250 meters from health care facilities (50.5%) and less than 250 meters from public facilities (59.14%), and four secondary clusters of Coronavirus Disease cases were identified. Conclusion: A higher cases of Coronavirus Disease were identified in villages with a high population density, a large number of social assistance recipients, close proximity to health care and public facilities, and four secondary clusters were identified.

Dental and Oral Health Education Media: Effectiveness in Improving Health Students' Knowledge and Attitudes

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Adolescents' dental and oral health problems are significant to pay attention to. Because the incidence rate is relatively high, adolescents/students often experience dental and oral health problems due to the lack of proper education in maintaining dental and oral hygiene and health. Through video media and pocketbooks supported by attractive visual displays and thin but informative pages, it can be one solution to providing health education to students. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of using video media and pocketbooks as educational and health promotion media for improving students' dental and oral health. Method: This study used an experimental design with a pre-test and post-test model conducted on 104 students who were taken using purposive sampling. Then, this study was analyzed using the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test to compare the effectiveness of students' knowledge and attitudes before and after dental and oral health education. Results: The results showed increased knowledge (value: 0.000) and attitudes (value: 0.001) of students before and after being educated using pocketbook media about dental and oral health. Conclusion: providing pocketbooks and videos as health promotion education media is effective in improving students' knowledge and attitudes toward maintaining dental and oral health. Developing pocketbook content to be more varied and informative and using other promotional media to strengthen students' knowledge and attitudes is necessary.

Acceptance of COVID-19 Booster Dose 3 Based on the Health Belief Model: A Study at Peureulak Public Health Center

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: The COVID-19 vaccination program faces significant challenges due to public hesitation, with some individuals rejecting or harboring doubts across the 34 provinces of Indonesia. The Health Belief Model, one of the most widely used theories for understanding health and illness behaviors, provides a framework for examining participants' perceptions of susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, self-efficacy, and cues to action regarding COVID-19 vaccination. This study aimed to assess the acceptance of the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (Booster) using the Health Belief Model at Peureulak Public Health Center, East Aceh. Method: This research was conducted at the Peureulak Health Center, East Aceh. and employed an analytical quantitative approach with a cross-sectional design, involving 394 participants selected through purposive sampling. Data analysis methods applied include univariate, bivariate, and multivariate. Result: Results showed a significant association between perceived susceptibility and vaccine acceptance, particularly concerning infection risk. However, no significant relationship was identified between perceived severity and acceptance. Perceived benefits, in the terms of the belief that vaccination could reduce the risk of infection or complications and alleviate concerns about COVID-19 were strongly associated with vaccine acceptance. Perceived barriers were also significantly related to vaccine acceptance, especially regarding concerns over potential side effects. Additionally, cues to action, such as adequate information about COVID-19 and vaccination, positively contributed to increased vaccine acceptance. Conclusion: perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and cues to action were significantly related to vaccine acceptance.

Understanding of the Halal Certification Process Among Business Actors in the Food and Beverage MSME Sector in Indonesia

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: The obligation for halal certification is regulated under Law No. 6 of 2023, with initial implementation targeting food and beverage producers, including Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME). In 2024, Indonesia has 65 million MSMEs, the majority operating in the food sector. Business actors' understanding of the halal certification process using the self-declare scheme needs to be examined to ensure a smooth certification process and to optimize the role of the Halal Product Process (PPH) companion. This study explores business actors' knowledge and experience regarding the self-declare halal certification process. Method: This study employs qualitative research with a narrative design. In-depth interviews were conducted with three purposively selected business actors in Nomporejo Village, Galur, Kulonprogo, between July and August 2024. The collected data were analyzed and presented narratively. Results: Findings indicate that business actors lack a clear understanding of the halal certification process through the self-declare scheme, particularly regarding certification objectives, process flow, and the involved parties. Their understanding of certification objectives is limited to business benefits, while they recognize only business actors and PPH companions were involved. Their comprehension of the certification process is restricted to document preparation, with the PPH companion handling all subsequent steps. Conclusion: This limited understanding affects certification effectiveness, as business actors rely entirely on PPH companions for technical matters. The government must strengthen the role of PPH companions, enhance educational efforts, and encourage business actors to take an active role in maintaining halal compliance to ensure a more effective and sustainable certification process

Review: Utilization of Decision Support System in Identification of Drug-related Problems in Geriatric Patients

Niken Larasati, Sugiyono Sugiyono, Siwi Padmasari — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Globally, there were 703 million people aged 65 years or older in 2019. The largest population were in East and Southeast Asia (260 million) followed by Europe and North America (more than 200 million). This number is expected to grow to over 1.5 billion people by 2050. Treatment-related problems are events associated with drug use that may affect the patient's therapeutic goals. The prevalence of treatment-related problems is estimated to be 45.1% in populations meeting criteria for advanced age, polypharmacy, and multimorbidity. A decision support system (DSS) is developed based on individual conditions to provide recommendations for therapeutic and dosage selection, and to prevent drug interactions in complex cases. This study aims to evaluate the use of DSS in identifying treatment-related problems in geriatric patients across various countries. Method: This study uses a narrative review method to systematically discuss previous research findings. Results: This review examined journals on the use of decision support systems in identifying drug-related problems in geriatric patients. A search article published between 2016-2021 in the PubMed database yielded 10 relevant articles. DSS tools have shown to improve the continuity of care for geriatric patients. Previous DSS tools used include AGAlink, G-MEDSS, PRIMA-eDS, STRIPA, SENATOR, and TRIM. Conclusion: DSS represents a significant technological advancement that can be applied to prevent and reduce inaccuracies in prescribing, particularly for geriatric patients.

The Relationship Between Oral Antidiabetic Treatment And Blood Sugar Level Among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in Nur Hidayah Hospital Yogyakarta.

Mardiana Pujilestari, Arina Titami, Sugiyono Sugiyono — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that poses a global health threat, with type 2 diabetes mellitus accounts for 90% of all cases. In Indonesia, diabetes mellitus is among the causes of high mortality due to non-communicable diseases. If not treated properly, type 2 diabetes mellitus can lead to various complications, potentially worsening the patient's condition. To address this, blood glucose levels must be controlled through the use of oral antidiabetic medications, either as monotherapy or in combination therapy. This study aims to the accuracy of oral antidiabetic drugs use and its therapy outcomes (blood sugar levels) in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients at Nur Hidayah Hospital Yogyakarta. Method: This study is an observational study with retrospective data collection, carried out using the purposive sampling method. A total of 75 samples were obtained from 298 populations that met the specified criteria. Univariate data analysis methods are presented in the form of percentages and tables, including analyses of patient characteristics, treatment characteristics, and therapy outcomes. Subsequently, bivariate analysis was conducted using the chi-square test to determine the relationship between the accuracy of oral antidiabetic drugs use and therapy outcomes, specifically blood sugar levels of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Results: The findings of the analysis performed using the chi-square test revealed a correlation between the accuracy of oral antidiabetic medication and blood sugar levels in patients (p-value=0.012). Conclusion: proper use of oral antidiabetics shows that the patient's blood sugar levels are controlled.

Evaluation of Antibiotic Use in Children's Respiratory Tract Infections at Primary Health Center in Tabanan Bali

Sat, 22 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Respiratory Tract Infections are among the most common health problems affecting children globally, with a particularly high prevalence in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia. Inappropriate antibiotic use in treating respiratory tract infections can lead to antibiotic resistance. This study evaluates the rationality of antibiotic use in pediatric respiratory tract infections cases and assesses prescribing patterns based on established guidelines. Method: A descriptive observational study with a cross-sectional approach was conducted using purposive sampling. Data collected from 130 medical records of pediatric patients with respiratory tract infections (from January to March 2024) at a primary health care center in Tabanan, Bali were analyzed. The Gyssens method evaluated antibiotic rationality based on dosage, duration, and clinical indications. Data were analyzed descriptively to determine antibiotic prescribing patterns and compared with national antibiotic use guidelines. Results: The results showed that 46.1% of antibiotic use was included in the rational category (Category 0), while 43.1% were included in the use without clear indications (Category V). Amoxicillin is the most widely prescribed antibiotic (90.8%). These findings indicate a tendency to use antibiotics not by clinical guidelines. Conclusion: The use of antibiotics in pediatric patients with respiratory tract infections is mostly suboptimal. Interventions are needed to improve compliance with rational antibiotic use guidelines, including education for healthcare workers and ongoing monitoring of antibiotic prescribing patterns