Determining factors of presentation and diagnosis delays in patients with colorectal cancer and the impact on stage: a cross sectional study in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

Background: Early colorectal cancer (CRC) symptom recognition and prompt diagnosis are crucial for the identification of cases in the earliest stage and for improving survival. This study investigates the incidence of presentation and diagnosis delays, their contributing determinants and their impact on the cancer stage at diagnosis. Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 227 CRC patients between November 2022 and October 2023. We developed a semi-structured questionnaire to collect information on the factors related to delays in the presentation and diagnosis. Presentation delay was defined as the time between the initial symptoms and the first consultation exceeding 1 month, while diagnosis delay was defined as the time between presentation and the pathological diagnosis confirmation exceeding 4 months. We examined the impact of these delays on the status of the metastatic disease and identified the determinants of the presentation and diagnosis delays. Results: The median values for presentation and diagnosis delay are 1 and 4 months, respectively. Patients aged ≥60 years were less likely to experience diagnosis delays odds ratio (OR = 0.52, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.28-0.95, p = 0.035), as opposed to those who were younger. The absence of red flag symptoms at presentation (OR = 2.73, 95% CI 1.47-5.10, p = 0.002), the utilisation of complementary and alternative medicine (OR = 2.01, 95% CI 1.12-3.61, p = 0.019) and ≥3 distinct healthcare facility visits before diagnosis (OR = 3.51, 95% CI 1.95-6.29, p < 0.001) were associated with an increased risk of diagnosis delays. Diagnosis delays were also correlated with a higher risk of metastatic disease at diagnosis (OR = 2.04, 95% CI 1.17-3.53, p = 0.011). Conclusion: Our CRC patients experience considerable delays in their presentation and diagnosis. Diagnosis delays were observed to increase the likelihood of presenting with metastatic disease. Given the determinants and the patients' perspectives revealed in this study, future research to explore evidence-based approaches to reducing these delays is warranted.

Feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of implementing a 12-week home-based aerobic and resistance exercise program for breast cancer patients receiving endocrine treatment in Indonesia: A mixed methods study.

Objectives: To assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of implementing a home-based aerobic and resistance exercise for patients with breast cancer receiving endocrine treatment in Indonesia. Methods: This is a mixed methods study with concurrent design consisting of quantitative single-arm pre-post intervention and qualitative study. We recruited patients with breast cancer (N = 36) receiving endocrine treatment and assigned 12 weeks of home-based pedometer-driven walking and resistance exercises using therapeutic bands. Descriptive statistics were used to assess the feasibility (recruitment, retention, and adherence) and safety. The modified Bruce treadmill test was used to measure predicted aerobic capacity (V̇O2 peak). Quality of life and fatigue were assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire and fatigue severity scale. Measurements were performed at baseline and post-intervention and analyzed with the paired t-test or Wilcoxon test. Semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis were conducted post-intervention to explore patients' acceptability. Results: The results showed a recruitment rate of 75%, retention rate of 89%, and adherence rates were 53% for aerobic and 78% for resistance exercise. No severe adverse events were reported. Post-intervention interviews identified positive attitudes toward the intervention, with low burden and high perceived benefit. Exercise duration and predicted V̇O2 peak increased significantly (+1.1 min, p = 0.001 and +2.3 ml/kg/min, p = 0.043), but no significant change was detected for Quality of Life (p > 0.050) or fatigue severity (p = 0.299). Conclusions: A home-based aerobic and resistance exercise was feasible when implemented in the context of routine care in our study population, improving predicted aerobic capacity. Further research is required to understand limited changes to Quality of Life and fatigue and adaptations to support implementation in additional sites in Indonesia.

Evaluation of Tobacco Tax Funding to Eradicate Illicit Cigarettes in Indonesia: A Qualitative Approach.

OBJECTIVES: The illicit cigarette trade endangers public health because it increases access to cheaper tobacco products, hence fueling the tobacco epidemic and undermining tobacco control policies. The objective of this study was to evaluate the execution of an illicit cigarette eradication program under the jurisdiction of the local government in Indonesia. We sought to provide insights into the effectiveness of current policies and their impact on the illicit cigarette trade in line with the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) protocol to eliminate illicit trade in tobacco products. METHODS: We conducted semistructured interviews with key policy-makers and semistructured FGDs with consumers and small- to medium-scale cigarette manufacturers at the district level. We indentified Pasuruan and Kudus as the districts or cities with the highest proportion of DBH CHT, and Jepara and Malang as a district with a highest illicit cigarette incident. We used reflective thematic analysis to identify the important opportunities and challenges facing illicit cigarette eradication programs in the three districts. RESULTS: We identified four opportunities and four challenges related to illicit cigarette eradication program implementation under the local government. The opportunities for illicit cigarette eradication lie in strong central government regulatory and multisectoral authority support, consumer awareness, and local governments' commitment to tobacco supply chain control. The key challenges facing illicit cigarette eradication include ineffective public dissemination programs, rapidly changing regulatory designs, consumers' preferences for illicit products, and a lack of industrial involvement in tobacco supply chain control programs. CONCLUSION: In addition to significant budget allocation and increasing consumer awareness, local programs to eradicate illicit cigarette production require considerable evaluation to rethink the program's design and external stakeholders' engagement within the local government's scope.

Role and challenges of community pharmacists in managing mental health care in Indonesia: A mix-method study.

This research aims to explore roles and challenges faced by Indonesian community pharmacists in mental healthcare management. A sequential mixed method study was conducted. This study found that drug counselling as a pharmaceutical care service that is often given to patients with mental disorder. Nonetheless, inadequate training and concern of psychotropic drug abused were identified as a major barrier hindering effective service delivery. These finding suggests that there is a need for pharmacists to gain additional education and training in mental health, as well as implement a system that integrates patient medical records across all healthcare settings.

Factors influencing breastfeeding continuation and formula feeding beyond six months in rural and urban households in Indonesia: a qualitative investigation.

BACKGROUND: Global and Indonesian guidelines suggest that breastfeeding should continue for at least the first two years of life. While many studies have focused on six-month exclusive breastfeeding practices, little is known about why mothers do not sustain breastfeeding beyond this period. This qualitative study aimed to explore factors influencing breastfeeding continuation and formula feeding beyond six months, regardless of any additional food consumed, focusing on Indonesia's rural and urban areas. METHODS: We collected the data through 46 in-depth interviews in Pati District and Surakarta City, Central Java, Indonesia. Participants were mothers, grandmothers, health care practitioners, and village kader (frontline female health workers). We used thematic analysis combining deductive and inductive techniques for analysing the data. RESULTS: Rural mothers practised breastfeeding and intended to breastfeed for a longer duration than urban mothers. Maternal attitude towards breastfeeding, breastfeeding knowledge, previous experiences, and other breastfeeding strategies (e.g., enhancing maternal dietary quality) positively influenced breastfeeding sustainability. In the urban setting, mothers encountered several breastfeeding barriers, such as perceived breast milk insufficiency and child hunger and satiety, child biting, and breastfeeding refusal, causing them to provide formula milk as a breast milk substitute or supplement. In addition, families, communities, health practitioners, and employment influenced maternal decisions in breastfeeding continuation and formula-feeding practices. CONCLUSIONS: Optimal breastfeeding practices up to two years of age are determined by the individual and setting (i.e., community, healthcare, employment) factors. Providing breastfeeding education covering practical breastfeeding guidance will encourage mothers to breastfeed for longer. Such interventions should involve families, communities, health workers, and the work environment as a breastfeeding support system. Policymakers should develop, enforce, and monitor the implementation of breastfeeding policies to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding in households, communities, health systems, and work settings.

A Systematic Review of Compensation and Technology-Mediated Strategies to Maintain Older Adults' Medication Adherence.

Elderly medication adherence is a challenge in health care. The elderly are often at higher risk for non-adherence, and more likely to be on multiple prescription medications for many comorbidities. This systematic review aimed to explore the current strategies for maintaining older adults' medication adherence with compensation and technology-mediated strategies. We conducted a systematic review to examine related articles published in the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases, as well as Google Scholar for additional reference sources by cross-reference review. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used to guide this review. A total of 217 articles were screened, and 27 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Older adults applied a variety of methods to maintain or enhance their medication adherence. Three studies indicated compensation strategies, 19 studies reported technological assistance, two studies used other strategies (community-offered help or caregivers help), and three studies used a combination of compensation with another strategy or technology. Studies identified various compensation- and technology-based strategies carried out by older adults to help remind them to take medication. This review identified potential benefits of technology and compensation strategy implementation in older adults to increase medication adherence. Although we are conscious of the heterogeneity of the included studies, it remains challenging to determine which elements underpin the most effective approaches.

Measuring the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Patients With Diabetes Mellitus-The Design and Development Process.

INTRODUCTION: Health behavior is important to control Diabetes Mellitus (DM) complications. Knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) questionnaires are needed to assess healthy behavior. This research aimed to design and develop instruments to measure KAP of diabetic patients in the control of fasting blood glucose (FBG). METHODS: Evaluation of the validity and reliability was assessed by calculating the score of internal consistency, testing the validity of the items by Pearson product moment correlation test, and confirmatory factor analysis. The validity and reliability tests were done at primary care centers in Yogyakarta. This study was conducted from August to October 2019. There were three stages of validity testing and one stage of reliability testing. RESULTS: The results of the knowledge variable validity test showed 16 question items were valid, while the attitude variable had 23 valid question items and the practice variable had 26 valid question items. The Cronbach Alpha scores of the KAP questionnaire were 0.597; 0.777; 0.824, with all values > r for each table (0.344; 0.361; 0.355), respectively. The questionnaire is concluded as valid and reliable if it is able to measure variables well and can be used repeatedly in the same conditions and give the same results. Questionnaires concerning KAP in controlling FBG are needed to support changes in healthy behaviors of patients with DM. CONCLUSION: The questionnaire to assess KAP proved to be valid and reliable. It is hoped that psychometric research concerning this questionnaire continues in various countries as a basis for improving these instruments.

Smoking behavior among junior high school students based on the theory of planned behavior in Madura, Indonesia.

OBJECTIVE: This research aimed to assess attitudes, subjective norms, and intentions about early smoking behavior among junior and senior high school students in Sampang, Madura, Indonesia. CONTENT: Teenagers' smoking behavior is a phenomenon that needs careful examination and is easily recognized today. In Indonesia, the frequency of teenage smokers aged 10-18 years is growing every year. This age group is essential since most regular smokers start to smoke at this age. Although the Indonesian government has made preventive efforts, the prevalence of tobacco use remains high and continues to rise among younger age citizens. This research employed descriptive analysis with a cross-sectional approach. A total of 174 teenagers were chosen to participate in this study using a purposive sampling approach among junior high and high school students in Sampang District who smoke. Data were collected using questionnaires and evaluated with statistical regression tests with 95% confidence intervals (CI). SUMMARY: The findings revealed that attitudes, subjective norms, and intentions were linked to early smoking behavior in teenagers in the Sampang District, Madura. The results were attitude (OR=5.27, 95% CI: 4.89-5.61), subjective norm (OR=1.78, 95% CI: 1.51-2.05), PBC (OR=2.05, 95% CI: 1.66-2.40), and intention (OR=4.16, 95% CI: 3.86-4.47). Early smoking behavior in Sampang is primarily driven by the impression of poor parental disruptive behavior and a strong urge to smoke among teenagers, along with significant peer support. OUTLOOK: These findings can be utilized to address some of the key issues identified in order to prevent smoking in teenagers by establishing an atmosphere that avoids the stimulation in smoking behavior.

Association between percentage of smokers and prevalence of smoking attributable morbidity in Indonesia: one decade after implementation of smoke-free area regulation.

BACKGROUND: For more than ten years, Indonesia has health law, one of which states that local governments are mandated to establish Smoke Free Area (SFA). The results of 2018 National Basic Health Research shows tobacco consumption is still quite high and increasing compared to the results of 2007 and 2013 National Basic Health Research. The burden of disease in Indonesia is increasing every year.  METHODS: This study aims to describe SFA regulation and analyze the relationship between the percentage of smokers and the prevalence of smoking attributable morbidity. Data from the 2018 Basic Health Research in Indonesia with the number of units of analysis were 514 districts and cities level. The design of the study was cross-sectional study. The variables analyzed were the percentage of smokers, the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, upper respiratory tract infections (URTI), pneumonia, lung tuberculosis, asthma, and mental emotional disorders. Geographical mapping of the distribution of District/City with Smoking-Free Areas was made using QGIS 3·16.  RESULTS: Around 72% of districts/cities in Indonesia already had local regulations of SFA after more than ten years implementation of the regulation of the health law. There was a significant relationship between the high percentage of smokers and the high prevalence of diabetes (p value: 0·000, PR: 1·342, 95%CI 1·135 to 1·587), hypertension (p value: 0·000, PR 1·631, 95%CI 1·252 to 2·124), and lung tuberculosis (p value: 0·008, PR 1·219, 95%CI 1·049 to 1·417) at the District/City level. However, there was no significant association between URTI, pneumonia, asthma, and mental emotional disorders. CONCLUSION: The percentage of smokers in an area was associated with diabetes, hypertension, and lung tuberculosis. The implementation of Smoke Free Area should be evaluated.

Exploring the Experiences and Needs of Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Sleman Regency, Yogyakarta, Indonesia: Protocol for a Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disease that can cause adverse effects if not managed effectively. The prevalence of T2DM will continue to rise every year, and data from the International Diabetes Federation show that the number of patients diagnosed with T2DM in Indonesia is predicted to increase from 10.3 million in 2017 to 16.7 million in 2045. Managing T2DM properly is a challenge for the patients because they need to implement lifestyle changes that involve the self-monitoring of blood glucose, consuming prescribed medication properly, maintaining a healthy diet, getting sufficient physical training, keeping a healthy sleeping pattern, managing stress properly, and consulting medical professionals regularly. The worldwide intervention for T2DM focuses on self-management education. The varied results in studies about interventions show that no particular intervention method can be regarded as the most effective. In Indonesia, there are limited studies on educational interventions to improve the quality of life and health of patients with T2DM. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the experiences and needs of patients with T2DM in Sleman Regency, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, to develop effective self-management education. METHODS: The study will use the phenomenology method with purposive sampling to collect data. The inclusion criteria are patients in the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program at the Sleman Regency Public Health Center who are aged ≥18 years, diagnosed with T2DM for more than a year, with hemoglobin A1c levels ≤7.5% and >7.5%, capable of communicating verbally and literate in the Indonesian language, not deaf, and willing to participate. The data collection is based on the Social Cognitive Theory, which involves selecting assessment targets and analyzing personal factors, environment, and behavior that determine the knowledge, attitude, and adherence of persons with T2DM. Researchers will collect the data through in-depth, face-to-face interviews to learn about knowledge, self-efficacy, outcome expectancy, outcome experience, worry, illness belief, treatment belief, diet, physical activity, medicine intake, treatment pattern, support system, as well as ethnic and cultural influences. The results will be taken from unstructured and open-ended questions written in Indonesian according to the interview guidelines. The data analysis process will go through several stages: reading the data thoroughly; coding; sorting the categories; creating the themes; making general descriptions; and presenting the data in charts, narratives, and recorded quotations from the interviews. RESULTS: This study received a grant in May 2021 and gained permission from the Medical and Health Research Ethics Committee of Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia, on July 1, 2021. Data collection started on August 12, 2021, and the results are expected to be published in 2022. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study will be used to design an educational intervention model to improve the knowledge, attitude, and adherence of patients with T2DM. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/37528.

"Alas my sickness becomes my family's burden": A nested qualitative study on the experience of advanced breast cancer patients across the disease trajectory in Indonesia.

INTRODUCTION: Limited research exists exploring the experience of living with advanced breast cancer in Indonesia. We sought to explore the narratives of women with breast cancer across the illness trajectory to understand their experiences from diagnosis to accessing and undergoing cancer treatments to inform the development of cancer care. METHODS: A nested, exploratory study adopting a qualitative approach. We conducted in-depth face-to-face interviews with women living with advanced breast cancer in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. We purposively sampled participants by age, education and marital status. All interviews were transcribed verbatim with thematic analysis used to identify, analyse and report patterns and themes within the data. FINDINGS: Four main themes were derived: 1) Early experiences, prior to accessing health care; 2) Navigating the system to access treatment; 3) Enduring chemotherapy and advancing disease, with crucial family support; 4) Seeking normalcy and belief in treatment. From initial symptoms through to undergoing treatments, the experience of participants was punctuated by barriers and challenges. DISCUSSION: Presentation delays were driven by dismissing initial symptoms, seeking alternative medicines, and fear of surgery. Access to healthcare required participants to contend with long-distance travel to facilities, tiered and convoluted referral processes, and adverse effects and financial impact of treatments. Individual determination, belief in God, and the role of families were critical throughout the disease trajectory. Adopting a focus across the disease trajectory facilitated the identification of enduring and persistent challenges to care delivery that can inform targeted development and optimisation of care delivery for women with breast cancer.

Exploring of Determinants Factors of Anti-Diabetic Medication Adherence in Several Regions of Asia - A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: The determinants of medication adherence in people with diabetes may differ between populations of an area due to social environment, cultural beliefs, socioeconomic conditions, education, and many other factors differences. OBJECTIVE: Therefore, this study aims to explore, identify and classify the determinants of medication adherence in several Asian regions. METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted to gain insight into the determinants of medication adherence. Seven relevant databases (EBSCO, ProQuest, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Wiley, dan Taylor and Francis) and hand searching methods were conducted from January 2011 to December 2020. Keywords were compiled based on the PICO method. The selection process used the PRISMA guidelines based on inclusion, and the quality was assessed using Crowe's critical assessment tool. Textual summaries and a conceptual framework model of medication adherence were proposed to aid in the understanding of the factors influencing medication adherence. RESULTS: Twenty-six articles from countries in several Asian regions were further analyzed. Most studies on type 2 diabetes patients in India used the MMAS-8 scale, and cross-sectional study is the most frequently used research design. The medication adherence rate among diabetic patients was low to moderate. Fifty-one specific factors identified were further categorized into twenty-three subdomains and six domains. Furthermore, the determinants were classified into four categories: inconsistent factors, positively related factors, negatively related factors, and non-associated factors. In most studies, patient-related factors dominate the association with medication adherence. This domain relates to patient-specific demographics, physiological feelings, knowledge, perceptions and beliefs, comorbidities, and other factors related to the patient. Several limitations in this review need to be considered for further research. CONCLUSION: Medication adherence to diabetic therapy is a complex phenomenon. Most determinants produced disparate findings in terms of statistical significance. The identified factors can serve various goals related to medication adherence. Policymakers and health care providers should consider patient-related factors.

Delays in the presentation and diagnosis of women with breast cancer in Yogyakarta, Indonesia: A retrospective observational study.

PURPOSE: To investigate factors associated with delays in presentation and diagnosis of women with confirmed breast cancer (BC). METHODS: A cross-sectional study nested in an ongoing prospective cohort study of breast cancer patients at Dr Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, was employed. Participants (n = 150) from the main study were recruited, with secondary information on demographic, clinical, and tumor variables collected from the study database. A questionnaire was used to gather data on other socioeconomic variables, herbal consumption, number of healthcare visits, knowledge-attitude-practice of BC, and open-ended questions relating to initial presentation. Presentation delay (time between initial symptom and first consultation) was defined as ≥3 months. Diagnosis delay was defined as ≥1 month between presentation and diagnosis confirmation. Impact on disease stage and determinants of both delays were examined. A Kruskal-Wallis test was used to assess the length and distribution of delays by disease stage. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to explore the association between delays, cancer stage and factors. RESULTS: Sixty-five (43.3%) patients had a ≥3-month presentation delay and 97 (64.7%) had a diagnosis confirmation by ≥1 month. Both presentation and diagnosis delays increased the risk of being diagnosed with cancer stage III-IV (odds ratio/OR 2.21, 95% CI 0.97-5.01, p = 0.059 and OR 3.03, 95% CI 1.28-7.19, p = 0.012). Visit to providers ≤3 times was significantly attributed to a reduced diagnosis delay (OR 0.15, 95% CI 0.06-0.37, p <0.001), while having a family history of cancer was significantly associated with increased diagnosis delay (OR 2.28, 95% CI 1.03-5.04, p = 0.042). The most frequent reasons for delaying presentation were lack of awareness of the cause of symptoms (41.5%), low perceived severity (27.7%) and fear of surgery intervention (26.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Almost half of BC patients in our setting had a delay in presentation and 64.7% experienced a delay in diagnosis. These delays increased the likelihood of presentation with a more advanced stage of disease. Future research is required in Indonesia to explore the feasibility of evidence-based approaches to reducing delays at both levels, including educational interventions to increase awareness of BC symptoms and reducing existing complex and convoluted referral pathways for patients suspected of having cancer.

Smoking-Related Social Control in Indonesian Single-Smoker Couples.

BACKGROUND: The majority of Indonesian smokers are men and those who are married nearly always have a non-smoking wife (i.e. single-smoker couples). Previous studies have suggested that Indonesian women dislike smoking. However, contesting their husbands' smoking could be seen as disrespectful. In this study, we examine whether, and if so how, wives employ social control tactics to change their husbands' smoking and how the smokers perceive the tactics. METHOD: In-depth interviews (N = 12) with five single-smoker couples (N = 10 individual interviews) and two non-smoking wives of smokers (N = 2) were conducted in Jogjakarta, Indonesia. We used a social control framework and thematic analysis approach to analyse the transcribed interviews. RESULTS: Three themes emerged from smokers and their wives: (1) although the wives know that smoking is bad, they have to tolerate it, (2) wives and their husbands find it important to maintain harmony and (3) their family's needs serve as common ground. All the wives interviewed exerted social control to some degree, especially when they were pregnant or had children. Smokers reacted positively to social control and agreed to child-related house rules, but not to requests to give up smoking. CONCLUSION: Wives do exert social control and smokers are willing to accommodate and adapt their smoking. However, wives' influence on smoking may be limited in Indonesia, and focusing on managing their husbands' smoking at home rather than overall smoking might be more fruitful.

Training intervention to improve hygiene practices in Islamic boarding school in Yogyakarta, Indonesia: A mixed-method study.

BACKGROUND: The primary objective of this study was to determine the effect of a training intervention in overall improvement in students' (santris) knowledge, behavior, and outcome. METHODS: A mixed-methods exploratory sequential design was applied. First, qualitative data were collected from three focus group discussions with 20 supervisors and one in-depth interview with school principal to explore current hygiene practices. The information was then used to develop training intervention using either video, poster, and leaflet. To measure the effect, a stepped wedge cluster design with pre- and post-test analyses was conducted. A total of 452 junior high school santris in one Islamic boarding school were non-randomly allocated to either three intervention groups. Outcome measures were knowledge, personal behavior, and room hygiene. Codes and categories were produced in the qualitative analysis, while paired t-tests and Wilcoxon rank tests test were used in the quantitative analysis. RESULTS: The qualitative study identified poor practices on personal and room hygiene among the santris and proposed a training intervention. Overall, there was a significant increase in knowledge and personal behavior after the intervention (7.22 ± 1.34 pre-intervention to 7.70 ± 0.74 post-intervention and 9.75 ± 2.98 pre-intervention to 12.16 ± 2.12 post-intervention, respectively, p < 0.001). Room hygiene was significantly improved among boys and those who received leaflets. CONCLUSION: Having developed a specific training materials, school-based hygiene training intervention improved knowledge and personal behavior. Its effect on room hygiene particularly for female santris needs further strengthening of the intervention in this Islamic boarding school setting.

A partnership-oriented and culturally-sensitive communication style of doctors can impact the health outcomes of patients with chronic illnesses in Indonesia.

OBJECTIVES: A partnership-oriented communication style is globally recommended for medical practice. A culturally-sensitive doctor-patient communication guideline is also needed for Southeast Asia. The 'Greet-Invite-Discuss' guideline was established and tested with primary care doctors and their patients in Indonesia. METHODS: In this mixed-methods study, doctors were trained according to the 'Greet-Invite-Discuss' guideline, while patients received standard treatment. Two groups of fifteen doctors were assigned to have consultations with 45 patients with hypertension or 51 patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus. Doctors' self-assessment and patients' perceptions and their clinical outcomes were longitudinally measured. Six focus group discussions were conducted to explore doctors' and patients' experiences. RESULTS: Doctors' self-assessments and patients' perceptions of doctors' communication skills increased significantly (p < 0.05). Moreover, patients' blood pressure or fasting blood glucose levels decreased significantly (p < 0.05), except the two-hour blood glucose levels (NS). Qualitatively, doctors demonstrated more partnership and culturally-sensitive communication, and patients expressed more satisfaction, increased comprehension and self-management, of their chronic illnesses. CONCLUSIONS: The 'Greet-Invite-Discuss' guideline was useful for primary care doctors for a more partnership-oriented and culturally-sensitive communication with patients in chronic care management. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Using a partnership-oriented and culturally-sensitive communication guideline, doctors can improve their communication skills with their patients towards optimum health outcomes.

Rationing for medicines by health care providers in Indonesia National Health Insurance System at hospital setting: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Indonesia is planned to be fully implemented in 2019 through the National Health Insurance (NHI) launched in January 2014. However, limited financial resources cause health care providers (HCPs) to perform rationing in providing medicine services. The purpose of this study was to analyze rationing strategies performed by HCPs for potentially beneficial essential medicines due to financial constraints and other reasons in the Indonesian NHI Plan and evaluate its fairness. METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted to find out the rationing performed by 24 HCPs in NHI medicine services at hospital setting. Research methods included semi-structured interviews with eight physicians, eight pharmacists and eight nurses, and observations of prescriptions undergoing dispensing process. Respondents were purposively selected, and interview results were analyzed thematically. The strategies for rationing were categorized using the matrix developed by Maybin and Klein (denial, selection, delay, deterrence, deflection, and dilution), while contradictions in fairness were evaluated using the four conditions of accountability for reasonableness (relevance, publicity, appeals, and enforcement). RESULTS: The results showed that the most frequent rationing performed by physicians was dilution (to replace medicines with others which were perceived by physicians as less effective or less safe), denial (not to provide medicines not listed in the National Formulary and/or expensive medicine), and deterrence (to encourage patients to pay for medicine). Among pharmacists, the most frequently rationing performed was dilution (to reduce the amount of medicines), denial, and deterrence as performed by physicians. Almost no rationing strategy was performed by nurses. No formal procedure was available to guide the rationing. The rationale for rationing strategies, especially for non-clinical reasons, was often not communicated to patients, and there were few opportunities for patients to appeal the rationing strategies applied to them. There was no difference between the government and private hospitals in the rationing strategies adopted. CONCLUSIONS: Although rationing strategies were facilitating the implementation of National Formulary, they potentially raise problems related to the principles of medical ethics and distort a national health system's ability to progress towards UHC. If performed in the more standardized decision-making process, rationing would be of great benefits to patients and the system. Guidance for more explicit, fair and transparent of rationing should be developed at the hospital level.

Socio-demographic inequalities in cigarette smoking in Indonesia, 2007 to 2014.

The prevalence of smoking in Indonesia is one of the highest in the world. Since 2007, some tobacco control policies have been implemented by the Indonesian government. However, evidence on the effectiveness of such policies at reducing tobacco use in Indonesia is scarcely available. Using both cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis of individual and household data from two waves of the Indonesia Family Life Survey (IFLS), this study explored changes in smoking patterns among Indonesian adults between 2007 and 2014 controlling for sociodemographic factors. Overall, there was no statistically significant change in the prevalence of smoking between 2007 and 2014. However, cigarettes became more affordable. Smokers in 2014 consumed more cigarettes (ß: 0.95; 0.73, 1.17) and spent more money on cigarettes (ß: IDR 2775; IDR 1124, IDR 4426) compared to those in 2007. Males, individuals <55 years old and those with lower levels of education had a higher likelihood of being smokers in 2014. Respondents with lower education levels and those under 26 years of age had higher odds of initiating smoking during the study period. Similarly, smoking cessation between 2007 and 2014 was more likely among respondents with higher levels of education and aged above 40 years. In conclusion, the implementation of tobacco control measures does not appear to have had a positive impact on smoking behaviours among adults in Indonesia between 2007 and 2014. Instead, cigarette consumption increased differentially across socio-demographic groups. Hence, tailored tobacco control interventions targeting the most socially disadvantaged population may be necessary in Indonesia.

Feasibility of school-based health education intervention to improve the compliance to mass drug administration for lymphatic Filariasis in Lalitpur district, Nepal: A mixed methods among students, teachers and health program manager.

BACKGROUND: Ensuring reduction in transmission of lymphatic Filariasis (LF) and addressing the compliance of people to mass drug administration (MDA) has led to renewed efforts in the field. School-based health education (SBHE) intervention, considered a cost-effective strategy with potential to reach the wider public through young people, was adopted as a strategy for social mobilization. This study assessed SBHE perceptions, implementation barriers, and factors in the supporting environment as well as its efficiency to successfully change LF MDA-related knowledge and practice. METHODS: This mixed methods study was conducted in four sites of Lalitpur district, Nepal. Classroom-based interactive health education sessions were used as the main intervention strategy in the study. In total, 572 students were assigned to intervention and control groups. Questionnaires were distributed before and after the intervention. Mann-Whitney and McNemar tests were used for analysis. Focus-group discussions with teachers and students and in-depth interviews with the district LF program manager as well as Education Office and school management authorities were conducted. Qualitative thematic analysis approach was adopted. RESULTS: Intervention curriculum played a significant role in increasing children's knowledge and practice (p<0.001). Barriers for school-based interventions were budget constraints, human resource deficiencies, lack of opportunities to conduct practical classes under the curriculum, and lack of collaboration with parents. Supportive factors were training provision, monitoring and evaluation practice, adequate facilities and equipment, positive parental attitudes, presence of interested teachers and students, and prioritization by program implementers. CONCLUSION: Effective program planning practices such as proper fiscal management, human resource management, training mechanisms, and efforts to promote practical classes and coordination with parents are required to develop and institutionalize the intervention. Effective learning and a supportive school environment appear to be important components to support implementation. The SBHE intervention is a feasible and promising intervention for accelerating compliance towards MDA to eliminate LF.