1.Health Situation of the Republic of Indonesia
Journal of International Health 2009;24(2):97-105
Introduction
Since it is not easy to learn about health situation of Indonesia in Japan, this paper is expected to share the information collected through activities of the author in Indonesia.
General findings
The economic crisis in 1997 and the rapid shift to the decentralization policy in 2001 affected health issues.
Health situations
The health budget realization rate was more than 80% in 2007, however only 20% was disbursed in the first half year. The Public Health Security Fund started in 2008 enables the poor to receive free medical services.
Life expectancy was 70.5 years old in 2007 and maternal and child health (MCH) indicators have improved recently, however are still worse than the surrounding countries. In addition, HIV and avian influenza cases have been increasing.
The Health Strategic Plan 2005-2009 is the master plan, through which the minister prioritizes community mobilization by Desa Siaga (Alert Village) programme.
Conclusions
Planning capacity of local authorities and community based health facilities need to be improved. In addition, MCH and communicable diseases control are major health issues.
6.Comparison of Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) on FemaleGenital Mutilation prevalence in African countries
Kazue Tanaka ; Jun Nishitani ; Kazuhiro Kakimoto
Journal of International Health 2013;28(4):327-336
Background
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), which can be considered as one of the harmful effects for the health of pregnant women and violence to women, is performed widely as a social custom in some African countries. Therefore, this study aims to clarify the situation of FGM prevalence and a recent trend of African countries by using published health statistics.
Method
Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) full reports in African countries written in English in which topic of FGM is included and whose comparison was possible between the latest report and the one about ten years ago were obtained. And, indicators regarding FGM were compared by countries and years.
Results
Of six countries, the prevalence of FGM in five countries had a trend of decline, and their FGM prevalence rates were higher in rural areas than urban. In these countries, wider decline was seen in younger population. For example, in Tanzania, the prevalence changed from 13.5% to 7.1% in 15-19 years old, and from 22.2% to 21.5% in 45-49 years old between 1996 and 2010, respectively. On the other hand, the FGM prevalence of Nigeria was higher in urban areas than rural, and increased in younger women. Some DHS reported the variety of FGM prevalence by places and ethnic groups even in a country.
Conclusions
In many countries, the decline of FGM prevalence in young women could lead us to expectation of more decreased prevalence in the future. The health education to the young, who will become mothers, could be effective. However, since some countries have different characteristic features in the trend of FGM prevalence, it was suggested that sociocultural background should be individually considered for effective interventions.
7.Introduction of Provider Initiated Testing & Counseling (PITC) to HIV testing for Pregnant Women in Cambodia
Kazuhiro KAKIMOTO ; Koum KANAL ; Sathiarany VONG ; Yuri SASAKI ; Chushi KUROIWA
Journal of International Health 2008;23(3):199-206
Objective
Provider initiated testing and counseling (PITC) for HIV testing, which is not a mandatory HIV testing policy, to pregnant women was being introducing in many countries. The aim of this study was to assess impact and issues raised by the PITC approach for prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV services at an antenatal clinic (ANC) in the capital of Cambodia.
Method
Impact of the PITC approach on the acceptance of PMTCT services was determined by comparing quantitative data indicating the uptakes of PMTCT services during the first one year of PITC with the prior one year.
Results
The acceptance rate of HIV testing dramatically increased from 35.9% (3,033/8,459) to 95.3% (7,780/8,162) (p<0.001), however the acceptance rate of post-test counseling after tested declined from 92.1% (2,793/3,033) to 73.9% (5,753/7,780) (p<0.001). The return rates of pregnant women tested with partners and without partners to post-test counseling were, respectively, 85.5% (1,913/2,237) and 69.7% (3,840/5,507) in PITC approach (p<0.001) although this difference was not significant in VCT approach.
Conclusions
Although it can be agreed that the PITC approach was an effective strategy to increase the uptake of HIV testing, the remarkable declines of the post-test counseling acceptance lead concern about unexpected needs of counselors and the possibility of negative response to the HIV testing by their partners since the women tested without partners in PITC approach are less likely to return to post-test counseling compared to VCT approach. Further investigation on the reasons why some tested women didn’t receive post-test counseling is needed to find out strategies to keep or increase the acceptance of post-test counseling safely in the PITC approach. It was suggested that we still need to take into account the roles of counseling and partners’ involvement in careful consideration of women’s personal safety even in the implementation of PITC approach.
8.Evaluation of ART Adherence Measurement - Literature Review -
Ikuma NOZAKI ; Kazuhiro KAKIMOTO ; Toru CHOSA ; Yutaka ISHIDA
Journal of International Health 2009;24(1):13-22
Objective
In recent years, antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been significantly expanded in developing countries, while drug resistance to HIV caused by low adherence is becoming a grave concern. As a member of the international community, Japan is expected to expand its cooperation for supporting the expansion of ART. However, the evaluation of ART adherence remains a challenge since the definition and the methods of its measurement are not standardized. In this regard, the articles of studies on ART adherence are reviewed to investigate available methodologies that can be used for measurement.
Method
Articles were searched and extracted through Ovid Full Text database for the period between Jan. 2002 and Aug. 2006 by using keywords of “adherence” and “HIV”. Among 81 extracted original articles, 50 articles were selected based on the inventory and clear identification of the methodologies used to measure adherence.
Result
The studies were conducted in the US (28 articles: 56%), Canada (5 articles: 10%), UK (3 articles: 6%), Africa and South America (10 articles: 20%) and no articles were extracted from Asia. The mean sample size of the studies was 581.2 (range: 24-6288). Measurements of adherence that were used in the articles as follows; patient's self-report (31 articles: 62%), electric drug monitoring (14 articles: 28%), pharmacy's refill record (12 articles: 24%), pill-count (9 articles: 18%), laboratory testing (6 articles: 12%) and combination of these (14 articles: 28%). Of the 31 articles using patient's self-report, 25 articles asked for the participant's frequency of missed dose.
Conclusion
Studies concerned with ART adherence have been mainly undertaken in industrialized countries, and it was found that inquiries on missed doses were the most frequently used method to measure ART adherence. We strongly suggest the development of more simplified methods for measuring ART adherence, especially for resource-limited settings.
9.Health Situation of the Republic of Indonesia
Yuriko Egami ; Takashi Yasukawa ; Mitsue Hirota ; Eijiro Murakoshi ; Kazuhiro Kakimoto
Journal of International Health 2012;27(2):171-181
Introduction
The economic situation of the Republic of Indonesia has been good with 6% economic growth in 2010. The health provision was affected by the decentralization after 2001, which has caused the prominent diversity in health condition. The health system and health situation in Indonesia are overviewed.
Health situation
The health indicators of Indonesia have been improving in general though maternal and child health (MCH) indicators are still not good enough compared to the surrounding ASEAN countries. The health budget has been increasing though up to 2% of GDP. The efforts by the Government have increased the number of health facilities as well as health workforce through it is yet to be improved. The Public Health Security Fund has extended its coverage with the target of universal health coverage. The health strategic plan 2010-2014 shows us the master plan of health development, whose vision is to encourage autonomous efforts by the community for health and the equity of health.
Conclusions
Indonesia is now on the epidemiological and populational transition with double burden of diseases. With the target of universal health coverage, it is urgent need to enhance the health service provision with development of health workforce in order to meet the demand along with enhancement of the health insurance coverage.