Predictors of COVID-19 Related Health Literacy among Older People Living in Rural Areas of Indonesia

Objective

. This study aims to identify predictive factors of COVID-19-related health literacy (HL) among older adults living in rural areas.

Methods

This study used a cross-sectional design. A total of 106 respondents participated in this study. HL was measured by using a questionnaire modified from the HLS-COVID-Q22, in addition, the scales 'Health Information Seeking','Family's Social Support Scale', 'Health Service Utilization'; and information on some socio-demographic variables was also obtained. A multiple linear regression model was used to identify the predictors of HL.

Results

About two-thirds of the respondents had a moderate level of HL (63.2%). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that education level, family support, information source, and gender were significant predictors for HL (p<0.01).

Conclusion

HL literacy was better among males, highly educated older people, media users, and those with adequate family support. This study provided insight for nurses and healthcare professionals to pay greater attention to vulnerable groups of older people (ie. female gender and those with less formal education) as well as involve family members in education or health promotion activities and use easily accessed media, such as television and radio.

Exploring the antenatal care challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic in rural areas of Indonesia: a qualitative study

INTRODUCTION

The COVID-19 pandemic affected almost all healthcare services in Indonesia, including antenatal care (ANC). Pregnant women were a vulnerable group during the pandemic since the Indonesian government's policies at the time influenced the delivery of ANC services, particularly in rural areas. Investigating the ANC challenges faced during the pandemic from the perspectives of pregnant women and healthcare providers is important for our understanding of ANC provision. This study, therefore explores barriers to ANC appointments faced during the COVID-19 pandemic in rural areas of Indonesia from the perspectives of pregnant women and health care providers.

METHODS

This was a qualitative exploratory descriptive study involving 31 participants, consisting of 25 pregnant women and six healthcare providers who were selected via a purposive sampling method. Thadeus and Maine's Three Delays Model was used as the theoretical framework. Data were collected between March and August 2021, through two focus group discussions (FGDs), ten in-depth interviews, and field notes. Data were analyzed using a thematic analysis method.

RESULTS

Three themes describing barriers to ANC during the COVID-19 pandemic in rural areas of Indonesia emerged from this study. Those themes were: (1) The fear of being infected with COVID-19, related to anxiety, perceived vulnerability, and the desire to protect oneself and loved ones; (2) The stay-at-home policy, related to transport barriers and restricted social activity; and (3) Re-designed ANC services, related to ANC adjustments, high-risk pregnancies, insufficient information, and adherence to COVID-19 preventive behaviors.

CONCLUSION

Based on the Three Delays Model, several challenges to carrying out ANC during the COVID-19 pandemic in rural areas of Indonesia were identified. These findings demonstrate the need to formulate and implement ANC packages to facilitate pregnant women's access to health care services.

The Readiness of Discharge planning in Aspects of Caregiver Involvement among Caring for the Elderly with Stroke

The elderly with stroke depend on the people around them, so caregivers must be around the patient. Its readiness to care for the elderly with a stroke can cause the treatment to be not optimal so that it pays attention to the needs of the elderly. This study aimed to determine the readiness of discharge planning in the aspect of the involvement of elderly caregivers with stroke. The study was carried out within eight months. This type of research is descriptive exploratory with a cross-sectional study design and uses a purposive sampling method for 102 respondents with criteria that match the research sample. The inclusion criteria were that the respondent is the main caregiver for the elderly with stroke. Data analysis in this study used univariate analysis and data collection tools like questionnaires. The questionnaire was declared valid and reliable (r-value > 0.361; Cronbach's alpha = 0.811). The respondents (caregivers) in this study obtained results with an age range of 17 to 74 years, and the median value of the respondent's age data is 43 years. The elderly age ranges from 60 to 88 years, and the median value of the respondent's age data is 67 years. The client's length of stay is in the range of 3-14 days, with a median value of 5 days of treatment. The description of the implementation of the readiness discharge planning in the aspect of caregiver involvement in caring for the elderly with stroke is in a good category, as many as 60 people (58.82%). Nurses are expected to maintain and improve discharge planning services for caregivers, especially stroke patients, to improve nursing care and quality of life for stroke patients.

Cognitive impairment among older adults living in the community and in nursing home in Indonesia: a pilot study

The demographic phenomenon of population aging has brought some consequences, including a higher prevalence of cognitive impairment.

Objective

This study aimed to assess and compare cognitive impairment and its risk factors between older persons living in the community and in nursing home in Indonesia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was employed among 99 older adults living in the community and 49 nursing home residents. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).

Results

Older people living in the community showed a higher score on MMSE than those living in nursing home (p=0.044). Age, marital status, education level, and literacy status were significantly related to the cognitive function of older adults living in the community (p=0.003, p=0.007, p=0.005, p=0.001, respectively), while gender, education level, and literacy status were significantly related to that of nursing home residents (p=0.012, p=0.004, p=0.001, respectively).

Conclusions

Older adults living in the nursing home were more likely to experience cognitive decline than their counterparts in the community. Factors associated with cognitive decline differ between community-dwelling older adults and nursing home residents.

Food Consumption as a Risk Factor of Anemia among Indonesian Pregnant Women: A Cross-sectional Study among Javanese Ethnic Group

BACKGROUND: Anemia during pregnancy causes several adverse effects. Furthermore, in Indonesia, this leads to restrictions among pregnant women. The information on this situation is still limited, and more research needs to be conducted. AIM: Therefore, this study aims to investigate the association between food consumption and anemia among pregnant women. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional descriptive research that involved 424 pregnant women. Furthermore, written informed consent was obtained from respondents before data collection. A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the food consumption and demographic data. Hemoglobin concentration was further measured using a haemoglobinometer, and data were analyzed using a descriptive statistical Chi-square, and a Multiple Logistic Regression test. RESULTS: It was found that half of the respondents suffered from anemia (46.5%). Furthermore, the Multiple Logistic Regression test showed that tea, liver, eggs, and iron consumption with values of (odds ratio [OR] = 5.075, p < 0.001), (OR = 4.128, p < 0.001), (OR = 3.590, p < 0.01), and (OR = 3.837, p < 0.05), respectively, had significant correlations with anemia among pregnant women. CONCLUSIONS: Anemia is commonly experienced by Indonesian pregnant women. Therefore, health-care providers should focus on preventing anemia in pregnant women by reducing their tea intake and increasing the consumption of iron-rich foods or supplements.

The differences in health-related quality of life between younger and older adults and its associated factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Indonesia

Background

It is well known that diabetes mellitus (DM) affects health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in both younger (aged 18–64 years) and older adults (aged ≥ 65 years). However, to date, no study has compared HRQOL and its predictors between younger and older adults with DM in Indonesia. Such a comparison is important because the results can guide nurses and clinicians to establish evidence-based educational programs that are specific and suitable for patients. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the difference in HRQOL and its predictors in younger and older adults with DM in Indonesia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 641 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who were recruited via simple random sampling from 16 primary health centers in Banyumas Regency, Indonesia. A self-administered questionnaire containing the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities, the DDS17 Bahasa Indonesia, the Beck Depression Inventory II, the Self-Efficacy for Diabetes Scale, the Family APGAR, and the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey was used to measure diabetes self-management (DSM), diabetes distress (DD), depression, self-efficacy, family support, and HRQOL, respectively. Independent t-tests were used to compare the physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores between younger and older adults with T2DM. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to examine the factors associated with HRQOL in both groups.

Results

PCS scores were significantly different between the two groups. Older adults reported lower PCS scores than younger adults. No differences between the two groups were observed in the MCS scores. The hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that level of education, employment status, number of diabetes-related complications, DSM, DD, depression, and self-efficacy were significant predictors of HRQOL in younger adults, while income, depression, DD, and self-efficacy were significant predictors of HRQOL in older adults. DD was the strongest predictor of HRQOL in younger adults, and depression was the strongest predictor in older adults.

Conclusion

Older adult patients had lower PCS scores than younger adult patients. This study is the first to show that the predictors of HRQOL differ between younger and older adults with T2DM. It provides insights for nurses and clinicians in Indonesia to establish evidence-based, age-specific educational programs.