Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) is still prevalent in Indonesia. Since 1994 the Government of Indonesia launched iodized salt as the sole method to eliminate IDD. Unfortunately, many parts of the country, particularly in mountainous area could not achieve the target due to some reasons.The objective of the present study was to ascertain that iodine supplementation into drinking water can fill the gap. It was a school-based, long-term trial of iodine supplementation into drinking water in schoolchildren aged 8-10 years. That drinking water contained 200μg iodine/L. Four hundred and forty one children in Ngargoyoso sub-district were included in the study. Drop method of water iodization was used. Goiter was determined by palpation. The reduction of Total Goiter Rate (TGR) indicates effectiveness of the supplementation.TGRdecreased from 51.9% (2010) to 34.3% (2011) to 25.2 (2012) consecutively. No dropout wasreported. It seems thatsevere IDD endemic area with abundance of drinking water from spring well would benefit from the supplementation.

Introduction: The Basic Health Research of the Ministry of Health Indonesia in 2008 reported that the single most important cause of death was stroke, in both urban and rural populations. The risk factors underlying the cause of death are associated with hypertension, obesity and dyslipidemia. The purpose of thi s study was to determine the mean intake of trans fatty acids and its relation to dyslipidemia in a sample of Indonesian adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a total of 180 adult male and female respondents aged 35-60 years living in rural and urban areas of Depok city, West Java. Dietary intake was assessed by means of 24-hour recall and semi-quantitative FFQ. Results: The mean intake of trans fatty acids was 0.48% of total calories (urban 0.40% and rural 0.55%). The prevalence of dyslipidemia in the rural and urban subjects were 61.1% and 66.7%, respectively. There was a statistically significant relationship between trans fatty acids intake and hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia. Conclusion: The intake of trans fatty acid among the Indonesian adults studied was half the recommended level. The high prevalence of dyslipidemia found indicates the need for intervention to reduce the rising incidence of cardiovascular diseases in Indonesia

Strongyloides stercoralis infection is caused by intestinal nematodes in the human body, which in immunocompromised individual, may cause severe morbidity and fatality. This study aimed to reveal the current prevalence of S. stercoralis infection among the stool samples sent to Parasitology Laboratory FMUI and identify its association with the status of immunocompromised. A case-control study with consecutive sampling method was, conducted between March-June 2013. Subjects were the patients of hospitals/laboratory who sent their stool samples to the Parasitology laboratory of FMUI. All stools were examined through direct examination, followed by Harada-mori culture. The immune status of the patients was identified through their medical records. The total number of stools collected was 170 consisted of 108 males and 62 females. The age of the patients ranged from 2 to 80 years old (average 33.41±22.65 years); 18.2% (31/170) was immunocompromised and 81.8% (139/170) was immunocompetent. A total of 18/170 (10.6%) stools were positive of S. stercoralis larvae; 6 stools (19.4%, 6/31) were from the immunocompromised and 12 stools (8.6%, 12/139) originated from the immunocompetent. The result suggested that immunocompromised status has a positive relation towards S. stercoralis infection. Results from this study could serve as input for clinicians for better management of cases with diarrhoea, especially among the immunocompromised.

Cockroaches are one of the potential vectors on spreading disease and health problems for humans by contaminating foods, ingredients, or food storage. Cause of their habit and life in an unsanitary place, they can carry human pathogens in their body and contaminated. This review aims to know the types and prevalence of human pathogens carried by cockroaches in the food-related environment and discuss the possibility of human pathogens carried by cockroaches that can cause foodborne diseases. This systematic review conforms to the PRISMA guidelines. The initial search was done from four health-related electronic databases (PubMed Central, EBSCOhost, Proquest, and Scopus) for relevant literature on pathogens that isolated from the cockroaches. There are 129 articles identified in the initial search database. After screening and eligibility process, eight articles were identified for this review. It was found that most of the cockroaches captured in/around food handling establishment and human habitation. Furthermore, around 23 species pathogens, predominantly bacteria, were identified from the cockroaches. This review showed that cockroaches carry many pathogens, which can cause severe infections in humans, such as foodborne diseases through contaminated food.

​The Prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Malaysia shows a rising trend that influences the society in many respects. Country specific evidence is vital for effective intervention. The aims of this study were to identify the role of gender and urbanisation status on NCDs prevalence and its effect on health care demand, specifically doctor visits among elderly in Malaysia. We focused on two of the highest occurrence NCDs in the country – diabetes mellitus and hypertension. A total of 1,414 respondents aged 60 years and above were selected using a multistage sampling for face-to-face interview. We started the analysis with descriptive analysis of the prevalence, taking the effect of gender and urbanisation status of residing area. We extended the study with parametric analysis to find the effect of these health problems on the likelihood of doctor visits as it reflects the equity for access and utilisation issues. Results showed that there were no significant difference of prevalence by gender and urbanisation for hypertension and diabetes mellitus. By utilising probit model, we found that those with diabetes mellitus or hypertension, controlling for other variables, were more likely to utilise doctor services. This result implies that the prevalence of NCDs may further increase demand for health care, especially in the state with a high proportion of older age groups. ​

Although the relation of iodine deficiency to endemic goiter is well established, other factors may be involved. Some factors are related to food. The aim of the study was to prove that some foods locally grown in an iodine deficient area are goitrogenic. Twenty eight Wistar rats age 28 days, weight 60-70 g were randomly assigned into seven groups. The first group fed with AIN-93G as control group. Group II and III were given 25% and 50% raw soybean replacing the same weight of AIN-93G. Group IV and V were given 25% and 50% raw cassava replacing the same weight of AIN-93G. Group VI and VII were given 25% % and 50% raw cabbage replacing the same weight of AIN-93G. The length of the experiment was 34 days. The results showed that the control group fed with AIN-93G grew optimally, while the other groups showed deficits in growth significantly. Histological preparation of the thyroid gland were carried out under hematoxilyn eosin staining. Both 25% and 50% of raw soybean, raw cassava and raw cabbage produced colloid goiter. The study proved that foods locally grown in an iodine deficient area are goitrogenic.

Acute lower gastrointestinal haemorrhage secondary to small bowel ascariasis is extremely rare. A high level of suspicion should be maintained when dealing with acute gastrointestinal haemorrhage in migrants and travellers. Small bowel examination is warranted when carefully repeated upper and lower endoscopies have failed to elicit the source of bleeding. Appropriate test selection is determined by the availability of local expertise. We present a case of acute lower gastrointestinal haemorrhage secondary to jejunal ascariasis and a literature search on lower gastrointestinal haemorrhage associated with jejunal infestation with Ascaris.

Sekolah Menengah Sains Tengku Muhammad Faris Petra (SMSTMFP) and Sekolah Kebangsaan Kubang Kerian (3) (SKKK3) were selected by the Department of Neurosciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), in 2011 to be a ‘school-based Neuroscience Club’ via the ‘Knowledge Transfer Programme (KTP) – Community’ project. This community project was known as “The Brain Apprentice Project”. The objectives of this project were to promote science and the neurosciences beyond conventional classroom teachings whilst guiding creativity and innovation as well as to assist in the delivery of neuroscience knowledge through graduate interns as part of the cultivation of neuroscience as a fruitful future career option. All of the planned club activities moulded the students to be knowledgeable individuals with admirable leadership skills, which will help the schools produce more scientists, technocrats and professionals who can fulfil the requirements of our religion, race and nation in the future. Some of the activities carried out over the years include the “My Brain Invention Competition”, “Mini Brain Bee Contest”, “Recycled Melody” and “Brain Dissection”. These activities educated the students well and improved their confidence levels in their communication and soft skills. The participation of the students in international-level competition, such as the “International Brain Bee”, was one of the ways future professionals were created for the nation. The implementation of Neuroscience Club as one of the organisations in the school’s co-curriculum was an appropriate step in transferring science and neuroscience knowledge and skills from a higher education institution, namely USM, to both of the schools, SMSTMFP and SKKK3. The club members showed great interest in all of the club’s activities and their performance on the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) or Primary School Achievement Test and Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) or Malaysian Certificate of Education examinations improved tremendously.

Successful aging is a universal goal, but it is a challenge owing to declining physical, psychological, and social conditions that occur with increasing age. The aim of this study was to analyze risk factors and changes in successful aging among older individuals (≥ 60) in Indonesia. This longitudinal study (2000 to 2014) used data from the Indonesia Life Survey (IFLS). Successful aging was defined with physical, mental and social health based on the available questionnaire. The univariate analysis and chi-square- test was used in this study. Of the 801 individuals followed up, 588 (93.2%) were found to have unsuccessful aging and 43 (6.8%) older person showed a change from unsuccessful to successful aging. The proportion of older persons mental and social unhealthy were higher than physical. Factors significantly relating to unsuccessful aging included female sex (p < 0.001), living in rural areas (p < 0.05) or movement from rural to urban areas (p < 0.05), unemployed (p < 0.001), movement from employed to unemployed (p < 0.001), unmarried (p < 0.001) and underweight (p < 0.05). Older individuals who are not categorized as successful aging at the age of ≥ 60 years can still change for better success in aging at ≥ 74 years of age. Maintaining mental and social health of older individuals can be achieved through their empowerment by providing opportunities for social activity and work productivity in the community.

Aims: Acute diarrhea is still one of the major causes of death in children under five years old worldwide, including Indonesia. Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) Southeast Asia Region shows that acute diarrhea has caused approximately 10-11% of death in children under five years old and rotavirus (RV) is one of the major causes. This study is conducted to identify the profile and P genotypes of RV among children with acute diarrhea in Pekanbaru. Methodology and results: Descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in children within the range of age 0-60 months with acute diarrhea who admitted to the government clinics and General Hospital of Riau Province from January to July 2015. Immunochrommatography and RT-PCR were used to identify the P genotype of RV from the stool specimens. The profile of patients was investigated including age, sex, hydration and nutritional status, also the exclusive breastfeeding. There were 71 children who suffered from acute diarrhea and 62.0% of stools specimens were positive by RT-PCR for RV infection. The highest rate was in the age group of 6-35 month (70.5%). Most of the patients were female (54.5%), the history of exclusive breastfeeding (54.5%), with moderate dehydration (54.5%) and good nutritional status (97.7%). The RV genotyping results showed the highest proportion was found in the P4 genotype (31.8%), followed by the P8 and P6 genotype, respectively 18.2% and 13.6%, P9 (11.4%), P10 (9.1%), P11 (2.3%) and indeterminate genotype (13.6%). Conclusion, significance and impact of study: Rotavirus was found to be a considerable role as the etiology of diarrhea in children under five years in Pekanbaru and rotavirus P4 genotype was predominant. The result of this study is important for designing antigen-antibody diagnostics against RV.
Diarrhea ; Rotavirus