Acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine in Generation Z: A cross-sectional study in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia

Background: Adequate health systems and effective strategies are needed to increase trust and acceptance in vaccines. Generation Z is more concerned with environmental issues related to the pandemic situation.Objective: This study aimed to assess the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine in Generation Z.Methods: This was an observational analytical study with a cross-sectional design on generation Z in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, from May to July 2021. The samples were taken by cluster sampling using faculty classification. Data was collected using a questionnaire with a google form, included the characteristics, knowledge regarding COVID-19 and vaccine, and the media information.Results: There were 396 participants. Most of them were 20 years (52.6%), female (74.8%), and Muslim (93.7%). About 61.6% live outside the city and had insurance (77.3%). Half of the participants knew the COVID-19 symptoms (51.26%), some participants were hesitant (11.8%) and did not even know (0.76%). Almost all participants were aware of the COVID-19 vaccination program (99.2%), benefits (95.2%), side effects (84.1%), and knew the contents of the COVID-19 vaccine (62.1%). Most of them were willing to take the COVID-19 vaccine (77.8%). However, 17.93% were hesitant, and 4.29% were unwilling to participate. Most participants were not trusting vaccines (43.9%), did not feel the need (29.3%), and felt access was not easy (26.8%). Most of them used social media to get information about COVID-19 (89.1%).Conclusion: Generation Z has a good acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine, even though there are still doubts and rejects. Accurately and sustainable information is needed.

Scabies in Koranic schools in Dakar, Senegal: Comparison of two therapeutic modalities

Background: In 2017, WHO recognized scabies as a neglected tropical disease. The optimal treatment is not well defined in some communities.Objective: This study aimed to compare ivermectin and benzyl benzoate in the treatment of scabies in Koranic schools (or "daara") in Dakar (region).Methods: This was a prospective randomized trial conducted from January to October 2018 in Senegal. Any resident living in the selected "daara" and diagnosed with scabies was included. The administered treatments were benzyl benzoate (BB) or ivermectin. At the outset, if one case of scabies was diagnosed, all residents received treatment. Ivermectin was given at the dose of 200 mg/kg. The same treatment was repeated on day 7 for each group, the endpoint was at D14, and the data were analyzed with STATA 14.Results: Fifteen "daara" were included. Of the 959 residents, 70 were diagnosed with scabies: prevalence of 7.29%. All patients except one were male; the mean age was 9.98 years (4-17). At D14, in the BB arm, cure rate was 42.85% (n = 15) while in the ivermectin arm, this rate was 5.71% (n = 2) with a significant difference (p = 0.01). On D28, the cure rate was still higher in the BB group 57.14 (n=20) versus ivermectin 21.42 (n = 6) with a significant difference (p = 0.004). On D42, all patients except eight were cured. At D14, we found a link between the cure rate, the number of people in the room (p = 0.01), and the number of showers per week (p = 0.01) but no link with the number of people per "daara" (p = 0.163). At D28, we found a link between the cure rate, the number of people sleeping in the room (p = 0.03), and the number of showers per week (p = 0.01) but not with the number of people per "daara" (p = 0.07).Conclusion: In Koranic schools, the cure rate is higher with benzyl benzoate compared to ivermectin.

Causes and impacts of phubbing on students in a public university

Background: With the rapid development of smartphones in the market, phubbing has become popular, which is a behavior of ignoring someone in the environment because it focuses more on gadgets than on building conversations.Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore causes of phubbing, and its impact on the health of adolescents, especially students. Methods: This study employed a qualitative research design conducted in June 2021 at Halu Oleo University, Indonesia, among students in the fourth semester. Focus Group Discussion and In-Depth interviews were used for data collection. Data analysis was thematic.Result: The results showed that the students realized that an individual with phubbing behavior tends to forget the interaction activities in the surrounding environment. The duration of smartphone usage was from two hours to ten hours per day. Phubbing is becoming a phenomenon among students due to the need to get the latest information or news during their studies.Conclusion: There are many reasons for phubbing, including obtaining updated knowledge and information that leads to social media use more often, eliminating boredom, seeking entertainment, and staying in touch with friends and parents. However, phubbing impacts physical health, such as headaches, soreness in the eyes, the strain on the neck, and mental/social health, such as anxiety, fear, discomfort, and disruption of social interactions. It is therefore recommended to remind the students not to use smartphones excessively.

Factors related to the presence of mosquito eggs trapped in ovitraps DHF-endemic areas in Kendari City, Indonesia

Background: Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), one type of infectious disease caused by the dengue virus, is still becoming a public health problem in Indonesia. The high number of dengue cases in Indonesia, especially in Kendari City itself, is closely related to environmental conditions, especially when it is known that the city has entered the rainy season.Objective: This study aimed to identify and analyze the factors associated with the presence of mosquito eggs trapped in ovitraps DHF-endemic area in Kendari City, Indonesia.Methods: This study used an analytic observational approach with a cross-sectional design. The research sample in this study was 50 houses located in endemic areas of Kendari selected using simple random sampling. Data were collected by observation using a checklist sheet and direct observation in each room of the respondent's house based on lighting, temperature, humidity, and physical environmental conditions, as well as the presence of mosquito eggs or larvae trapped in the ovitrap. The analysis was carried out in two stages, namely univariate analysis and bivariate analysis using the Chi-Square test.Result: From 50 houses observed, 13 houses (26%) had the presence of mosquito eggs, 42 houses (84%) had bad air temperature, 19 houses (38%) had poor humidity, and 35 houses (70%) had a higher frequency. In addition, the temperature, lighting, and environmental conditions did not have a significant relationship with the presence of mosquito eggs in ovitraps in endemic areas of Kendari City, with p-values of 0.94, 0.52, and 0.39, respectively. In contrast, the humidity factor has a significant relationship with the presence of eggs with a p-value of 0.000.Conclusion: There was a significant relationship between humidity and the presence of mosquito eggs in ovitraps in endemic areas of Kendari City, Indonesia. It is recommended that residents increase Mosquito Nest Eradication (PSN) activities, perform selective abatization, and disseminate information about DHF through counseling or other activities conveyed through health workers with full support from community leaders and adjusted to the level of education of the local population.

Fraud in healthcare facilities: A Narrative Review

Every country needs to develop Universal Health Coverage (UHC) to promote optimal levels of public health. But in realizing UHC, there must be some problems, one of which is fraud. Based on the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) data, potential fraud is detected from 175,774 claims of Advanced Referral Health Facilities (FKRTL) or worth Rp. 440 billion until June 2015. This review article describes the incidence of fraud in health care facilities. Out of a total of 12,736 cases of fraud, readmission occupies the most cases of fraud, which is 4,827 cases or 37.9%.

Analysis of wearing masks compliance during the COVID-19 pandemic based on the Health Belief Model

Background: Maintaining physical distance, washing hands, and wearing masks during the COVID-19 pandemic are very important in preventing the spread of the virus. However, although the use of facemasks is relatively easy to do, its compliance is considered low.Objective: This study aimed to analyze compliance in wearing masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 residents in Palembang, Indonesia, selected using simple random sampling from August to September 2021. Data were collected using online questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square, and multivariate using logistic regression.Results: The findings revealed that sex, education, and employment status were significant relationships to compliance to wearing masks (p0.05), but age and family income were not significantly related (p0.05). Multivariate analysis showed only perceived severity and cues to action had a significant relationship with compliance to wearing masks after it was controlled by the sex variable (p0.05), with PR of 0.558 (95% CI 0.331-0.941) and 0.410 (95% CI 0.242-0.696), consecutively.Conclusion: Perceived severity and cues to action are factors that influence compliance to wearing masks. Therefore, these two factors should be considered by public health practitioners as well as the government to increase the compliance wearing masks.

Open defecation behavior of elementary school-aged children in the coastal region, Indonesia: A pilot study

Background: Open defecation is one of the public health problems. Such behavior will lead to contamination of water and food sources, which can cause several diseases, one of which is caused by polluted water (water-borne diseases).Objective: This research aimed to describe open defecation behavior in elementary school-aged children in Kendari City, Indonesia.Methods: This was a descriptive survey carried out on 11-12 June 2021 among 87 students. Open defecation behavior was seen from knowledge and attitude of open defecation and availability of latrines. Validated questionnaires were used to measure the variables. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis.Results: The results showed that the students lacked knowledge (42%) and negative attitudes (44%). In addition, 11% of the respondents did not have latrines; therefore, open defecation still exists.Conclusion: The findings of this study indicated that most of the respondents had poor knowledge and attitude regarding the impact of open defecation on health. Therefore, the results can be used as the basic data to develop further research, and indeed, to inform public health workers to pay attention to this issue and health education related to open defecation behavior is highly needed.

Sustainable competitive advantage strategy in hospital industry to response policy change in Indonesia: A narrative review

In response to policy changes, the hospital as an organization is expected to establish a strategy to stay afloat in business competition. However, the health industry, especially hospitals, has certain determinants that are different from other industries. This article is a literature review that focuses on business strategy management, namely sustainable competitive advantage in the hospital industry. This review is aimed at managers nowadays in building and maintaining their hospital positions. In conclusion, changes in strategy can be made specifically according to the type of hospital and positioning results.

Implementation of new normal policies during the COVID-19 pandemic in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia

Background: The new normal policy during the COVID-19 pandemic needs public involvement. Efforts to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases require the public to understand the knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of COVID-19 prevention health protocols.Objective: This research aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards the prevention of COVID-19.Methods: This was descriptive research conducted in Muna District on June 2021 with 410 respondents. Data collection was carried out using a questionnaire and provided online through WhatsApp groups and social media using Google Forms.Results: Most of the respondents answered knowing the cause of COVID-19 (82.4%), COVID-19 transmission (54.4%), prevention by using masks (81.0%), washing hands (83.9%), social distancing (86.8%), and cough etiquette (81.2%). People’s attitudes towards opinions about COVID-19 vary. Disagree with the statement that someone who buys products from China can contract COVID-19 (51.0%), agree on spraying disinfectants (37.6%), opinions that are uncertain eucalyptus, garlic, and sesame oils can prevent transmission of COVID-19 (52.4%), views that disagree COVID-19 is the same as the common cold (73.2%), respondents are Uncertain that COVID-19 can be treated with antibiotics (42.9%), respondents answered "Uncertain” that the coronavirus would die at high temperatures (43.9%).Conclusion: The people of Muna District have good knowledge, attitudes, and behavior about COVID-19. This finding can be used as a basis for better implementation of new normal policies in Indonesia.

Spatial patterns of maternal mortality causes in West Kalimantan, Indonesia

Background: Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) is one of the health indicators to see maternal survival in general and is a component in the health development index. Maternal Mortality Rate is also an important indicator of the quality of health services and the performance of the Health system.Objective: This study aimed to analyze the spatial patterns of maternal mortality based on the mortality causes in Sambas District, West Kalimantan, Indonesia.Methods: This study used a descriptive and exploratory approach to be able to see the distribution of maternal mortality and the coverage of the distribution of health care facilities. A spatial pattern was carried out to analyze the distribution pattern of maternal mortality cases using the Average Nearest Neighbor.Results: The results showed that most maternal mortality causes include bleeding, pregnancy hypertension, circulation system disorders (heart, stroke), metabolic disorders (diabetes mellitus), and other causes, such as pulmonary embolism. The analysis using a buffer of 3 kilometers and 5 kilometers show that not all the areas are covered by health service facilities in the Sambas district. Analysis of the mean of the nearest neighbors showed that the Nearest Neighbor ratio was 1.039398 with a z-score of 1.022396, which means that the pattern of distribution of maternal death according to the cause of death has a random pattern.Conclusion: The spatial pattern of cases of maternal death according to the cause of death in the Sambas district, West Kalimantan, Indonesia, has a random pattern. This finding can be used as a basis for decreasing the maternal mortality rate.