Economic Evaluation of COVID-19 Screening Tests and Surveillance Strategies in Low-Income, Middle-Income, and High-Income Countries: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND Economic evaluation of the testing strategies to control transmission and monitor the severity of COVID-19 after the pandemic is essential. This study aimed to review the economic evaluation of COVID-19 tests and to construct a model with outcomes in terms of cost and test acceptability for surveillance in the post-pandemic period in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries. MATERIAL AND METHODS We performed the systematic review following PRISMA guidelines through MEDLINE and EMBASE databases. We included the relevant studies that reported the economic evaluation of COVID-19 tests for surveillance. Also, we input current probability, sensitivity, and specificity for COVID-19 surveillance in the post-pandemic period. RESULTS A total of 104 articles met the eligibility criteria, and 8 articles were reviewed and assessed for quality. The specificity and sensitivity of COVID-19 screening tests were reported as 80% to 90% and 40% to 90%, respectively. The target population presented a mortality rate between 0.2% and 19.2% in the post-pandemic period. The implementation model of COVID-19 screening tests for surveillance with a cost mean for molecular and antigen tests was US$ 46.64 (min-max US $0.25-$105.39) and US $6.15 (min-max US $2-$10), respectively. CONCLUSIONS For the allocation budget for the COVID-19 surveillance test, it is essential to consider the incidence and mortality of the post-pandemic period in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries. A robust method to evaluate outcomes is needed to prevent increasing COVID-19 incidents earlier.

Pediatric genitourinary injuries: 7-year experience at the largest tertiary referral hospital in Eastern part of Indonesia.

INTRODUCTION: The anatomical variations between children and adults render pediatric patients more prone to urogenital trauma. However, it is not known for certain whether children are more prone to genitourinary trauma than adults. The aim of the study is to scrutinize the characteristic of pediatric genitourinary trauma at, the largest tertiary hospital in Eastern part of Indonesia. STUDY DESIGN: The design of the study was analytic retrospective gathering medical records of all pediatric patients with urogenital trauma with total sampling. The number of patients, ages, genders, etiology, locations, and management were collected. Data was statistically analyzed using SPSS®, and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: We found 13.5 (10-15.5) years as the median age in our 60 samples. Boy (75.00%), renal trauma (56.67%), abdominal and pelvic trauma (96.67%), traffic accident (91.67%), suprapubic catheterization (52.17%), and hemodynamically stable (91.67) was among the majority. We also found that non-operative management was in majority. Statistical analysis demonstrated significant differences for management and grade of injury (p < 0.05). DISCUSSIONS: This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first study of genitourinary injuries in children who were treated at a tertiary hospital in Indonesia during the course of the 7-year research period. The limitations of this study are retrospective character and conducted in single institution. CONCLUSION: The highest incidence of pediatric urogenital trauma is renal trauma due to traffic accident, which often multitrauma. Future prospective multi-center studies should be done to corroborate the results.

An Important Strategy to Improve Adolescent Health Literacy: COVID-19 Modules in High School in Indonesia.

OBJECTIVES: During the second coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) surge, cases increased sharply due to low awareness and compliance with measures to limit disease spread. Health literacy (HL) is an important component of public health initiatives, and schools are potential sources of health education to increase HL via the presentation of COVID-19 educational modules. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved an online questionnaire administered to students from 5 high schools in Surabaya and Sidoarjo, Indonesia, 6-7 weeks after the start of government-issued directives restricting public gatherings. We collected data on each respondent's age, gender, parental education, and socioeconomic variables. HL was determined by the Health Literacy Measure for Adolescents. We additionally measured their attitudes and behaviors related to preventing the spread of COVID-19. The students were asked if they watched the COVID-19 module at school, their feelings about vaccination, and preferred online sources of COVID-19-related information. RESULTS: Most of the 432 respondents had viewed COVID-19 modules at school. Module exposure was associated with significantly higher total and domain-specific HL and more positive attitudes toward government-issued COVID-19 restrictions on travel and public gatherings (p<0.05). However, behaviors to prevent COVID-19 spread and vaccine acceptance were not associated with module exposure. Most students chose social media as their source of COVID-19-related information. CONCLUSIONS: Schools can provide information to increase adolescents' HL and the public's support for health initiatives to prevent or limit the spread of COVID-19.

Comparison of different scoring systems for predicting in-hospital mortality for patients with Fournier gangrene.

PURPOSE: To compare different scoring systems for predicting in-hospital mortality in patients with Fournier gangrene (FG). METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was performed to find all scoring systems that have been proposed previously as a predictor for in-hospital mortality in patients with FG. Data of all patients with FG who were hospitalized in one of Indonesia's largest tertiary referral hospitals between 2012 and 2022 were used. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the scoring systems. RESULTS: Ten scoring systems were found, i.e., Fournier's Gangrene Severity Index (FGSI), Uludag FGSI, simplified FGSI, NUMUNE Fournier score (NFS), Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis, age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA), quick SOFA, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II, and surgery APGAR score (SAS). Of 164 FG patients included in the analyses, 26.4% died during hospitalization. All scoring systems except SAS could predict in-hospital mortality of patients with FG. Three scoring systems had areas under the ROC curve (AUROC) higher than 0.8, i.e., FGSI (AUROC 0.905, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.860-0.950), SOFA (AUROC 0.830, 95% CI 0.815-0.921), and NFS (AUROC 0.823, 95% CI 0.739-0.906). Both FGSI and SOFA had sensitivity and NPV of 1.0, whereas NFS had a sensitivity of 0.74 and an NPV of 0.91. CONCLUSION: This study shows that FGSI and SOFA are the most reliable scoring systems to predict in-hospital mortality in FG, as indicated by the high AUROC and perfect sensitivity and NPV.

Predominant aspects of knowledge and practical skills among medical students with online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic era.

BACKGROUND: Social restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic have shifted most learning methods into online courses, especially for medical skills education. However, the effects of online courses on medical skill education amongst medical students are still arguable. The study aims to analyse medical students' knowledge, attitude, practice and satisfaction towards medical skills between online and offline courses. METHOD: We performed a case-control study conducted among 533 medical students with online (as a case group, n = 288) and offline courses (as a control group, n = 245). We evaluated three fundamental medical skills, including history taking [HT], lung physical examination [LPE], and heart physical examination [HPE]. We tested the knowledge and skills among students through theory and practical examinations. Students' attitudes and satisfaction were assessed using a validated questionnaire. RESULTS: The scores for knowledge and practical skills among the online group were significantly higher (p = 0.016, p = 0.004, respectively). In comparison, the scores for the students' attitudes and satisfaction were substantially lower (p = 0.000, p = 0.003, respectively) compared to the control group. Most of the students in both groups passed the exam (case vs. control = 81.94%; 83.27%, respectively). Males were the only factor associated with a higher rate of passing the examination (OR 0.42, 95% CI [0.27-0.67], p = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Online learning could be an alternative approach on improving student's knowledge and practice towards medical skill especially amidst COVID-19 pandemic, however further consideration on student's attitude and satisfaction are mandatory to achieve appropriate competence as future general practitioner.

Factors for In-Hospital Mortality in 145 Male Patients with Fournier's Gangrene: A 10-Year Observational Study from a Single Tertiary Referral Center in Indonesia.

BACKGROUND Fournier's gangrene (FG) is a potentially fatal necrotizing infection. Due to the rapid progression of the disease, the fatality rate remains high despite advances in therapy. This 10-year observational study from a single tertiary referral center in Indonesia aimed to identify the risk factors for in-hospital mortality from 145 male patients diagnosed with FG. MATERIAL AND METHODS This retrospective cohort study was conducted at one of Indonesia's largest tertiary referral hospitals. The risk factors of in-hospital mortality were analysed using data collected through hospital medical records. All patients diagnosed with FG from January 2012 until December 2021 were included. Outcome measured was sociodemographic factors, comorbidities, laboratory findings, length of stay, culture results, and disease outcome. The microbiological culture was performed on FG lesions isolates. The statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 26.0. RESULTS The analysis included 145 male patients with a median age of 52 (IQR, 43-61) years. Of them, 38 (26.20%) patients died. There were more patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) in non-survivor groups compared to survivor groups (76.3% vs 57%, p=0.035). On multivariate analysis, DM and Clostridium perfringens infection were found to be independent factors of in-hospital mortality [adjusted odds ratio (aOR)2.583, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.061-6.289, aOR 5.982,95% CI=1.241-28.828, respectively]. CONCLUSIONS The mortality rate for FG was considerably high. DM and Clostridium perfringens infection were shown to be independent risk factors for mortality among men.

The Economic Impact of Carbapenem Resistant-Non Lactose Fermenter and Enterobacteriaceae Infections on Hospital Costs in Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital Surabaya, Indonesia.

Background: Carbapenem resistant-non lactose fermenter (CR-NLF) and Carbapenem resistant-Enterobacteriaceae (CR-E) bacterial infections are likely to be a global threat to people's health. However, studies on the economic impacts according to the hospital setting are very scarce. The study aimed to explore the impact of CR-NLF (Acinetobacter baumannii = CRAB) & Pseudomonas aeruginosa = CRPA) and CR-E (Escherichia coli = CREC) & Klebsiella pneumoniae = CRKP) infections on hospital costs from a payer perspective among patients admitted to Dr.Soetomo Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia. Methods: In the retrospective case-control study, medical records of all included patients hospitalized during 2018−2021 were reviewed for CRAB, CRPA, CREC, CRKP, and carbapenem sensitive (CSAB, CSPA, CSEC, CSKP) were collected. We retrieved the data of age, gender, clinical specimen, dates of admission, and discharge status. The outcomes of interest were hospital length of stay and hospitalization cost. Results: The cost for CR-NLFs infections was higher than carbapenem sensitive, $3026.24 versus $1299.28 (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between CR-E against carbapenem sensitive. It showed that the highest impact of the cost was CRAB, followed by CRPA, CRKP, and CREC. The bed, antibiotics, pharmacy, and diagnostic costs of CR-NLFIs were significantly higher than CR-E. Conclusion: This study showed that the hospital cost and expenditure of CR-NLFs per patient were higher than CS. The hospital cost per patient for CR-NLF was higher than CR-E.

The Impacts of Deep Surgical Site Infections on Readmissions, Length of Stay, and Costs: A Matched Case-Control Study Conducted in an Academic Hospital in the Netherlands.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the impacts of deep surgical site infections (dSSIs) regarding hospital readmissions, prolonged length of stay (LoS), and estimated costs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We designed and applied a matched case-control observational study using the electronic health records at the University Medical Center Groningen in the Netherlands. We compared patients with dSSI and non-SSI, matched on the basis of having similar procedures. A prevailing topology of surgeries categorized as clean, clean-contaminated, contaminated, and dirty was applied. RESULTS: Out of a total of 12,285 patients, 393 dSSI were identified as cases, and 2864 patients without SSIs were selected as controls. A total of 343 dSSI patients (87%) and 2307 (81%) controls required hospital readmissions. The median LoS was 7 days (P25-P75: 2.5-14.5) for dSSI patients and 5 days (P25-P75: 1-9) for controls (p-value: <0.001). The estimated mean cost per hospital admission was €9,016 (SE±343) for dSSI patients and €5,409 (SE±120) for controls (p<0.001). Independent variables associated with dSSI were patient's age ≥65 years (OR: 1.334; 95% CI: 1.036-1.720), the use of prophylactic antibiotics (OR: 0.424; 95% CI: 0.344-0.537), and neoplasms (OR: 2.050; 95% CI: 1.473-2.854). CONCLUSION: dSSI is associated with increased costs, prolonged LoS, and increased readmission rates. Elevated risks were seen for elderly patients and those with neoplasms. Additionally, a protective effect of prophylactic antibiotics was found.

The burden and costs of sepsis and reimbursement of its treatment in a developing country: An observational study on focal infections in Indonesia.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the burden of sepsis with focal infections in the resource-limited context of Indonesia and to propose national prices for sepsis reimbursement. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted from 2013-2016 on cost of surviving and non-surviving sepsis patients from a payer perspective using inpatient billing records in four hospitals. The national burden of sepsis was calculated and proposed national prices for reimbursement were developed. RESULTS: Of the 14,076 sepsis patients, 5,876 (41.7%) survived and 8,200 (58.3%) died. The mean hospital costs incurred per surviving and deceased sepsis patient were US$1,011 (SE ± 23.4) and US$1,406 (SE ± 27.8), respectively. The national burden of sepsis in 100,000 patients was estimated to be US$130 million. Sepsis patients with multifocal infections and a single focal lower-respiratory tract infection (LRTI) were estimated as being the two with the highest economic burden (US$48 million and US$33 million, respectively, within 100,000 sepsis patients). Sepsis with cardiovascular infection was estimated to warrant the highest proposed national price for reimbursement (US$4,256). CONCLUSIONS: Multifocal infections and LRTIs are the major focal infections with the highest burden of sepsis. This study showed varying cost estimates for sepsis, necessitating a new reimbursement system with adjustment of the national prices taking the particular foci into account.

'Diabetes is a gift from god' a qualitative study coping with diabetes distress by Indonesian outpatients.

BACKGROUND: More than two-thirds of patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Indonesia encounter medical-related problems connected to routine self-management of medication and the social stigma related to T2DM. The current study aims to explore distress and coping strategies in Indonesian T2DM outpatients in a Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative study using two different data collection methods: focus group discussions and in-depth interviews. The guideline of interviews and discussions were developed based on seventeen questions derived from the DDS17 Bahasa Indonesia (a Bahasa Indonesia version of the Diabetes Distress Scale questionnaire), which covered physician distress domain, emotional burden domain, regimen distress domain and interpersonal distress domain. RESULTS: The majority of the 43 participants were females and aged 50 or older. Our study discovered two main themes: internal and external diabetes distress and coping strategies. Internal diabetes distress consists of disease burden, fatigue due to T2DM, fatigue not due to T2DM, emotional burden (fear, anxiety, etc.) and lack of knowledge. Internal coping strategies comprised spirituality, positive attitude, acceptance and getting more information about T2DM. External diabetes distress was evoked by distress concerning healthcare services, diet, routine medication, monthly blood sugar checks, interpersonal distress (family) and financial concern. External coping strategies included healthcare support, traditional medicine, vigilance, self-management, social and family support and obtaining information about health insurance. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that for Indonesian T2DM-patients, spirituality and acceptance are the most common coping mechanisms for reducing DD. Furthermore, our study revealed an overall positive attitude towards dealing with T2DM as well as a need for more information about T2DM and potential coping strategies. Finally, an important finding of ours relates to differences in DD between males and females, potential DD associated with health services provision and the specific challenges faced by housewives with T2DM.

Cost-Effectiveness Of Culture-Based Versus Empirical Antibiotic Treatment For Hospitalized Adults With Community-Acquired Pneumonia In Indonesia: A Real-World Patient-Database Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study analyzes the cost-effectiveness of culture-based treatment (CBT) versus empirical treatment (ET) as a guide to antibiotic selection and use in hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A model was developed from the individual patient data of adults with CAP hospitalized at an academic hospital in Indonesia between 2014 and 2017 (ICD-10 J.18x). The directed antibiotic was assessed based on microbiological culture results in terms of the impact on hospital costs and life expectancy (LE). We conducted subgroup analyses for implementing CBT and ET in adults under 60 years, elderly patients (≥ 60 years), moderate-severe CAP (PSI class III-V) cases, and ICU patients. The model was designed with a lifetime horizon and adjusted patients' ages to the average LE of the Indonesian population with a 3% discount each for cost and LE. We applied a sensitivity analyses on 1,000 simulation cohorts to examine the economic acceptability of CBT in practice. Willingness to pay (WTP) was defined as 1 or 3 times the Indonesian GDP per capita (US$ 3,570). RESULTS: CBT would effectively increase the patients' LE and be cost-saving (dominant) as well. The ET group's hospitalization cost had the greatest influence on economic outcomes. Subgroup analyses showed that CBT's dominance remained for Indonesian patients aged under 60 years or older, patients with moderate-severe CAP, and patients in the ICU. Acceptability rates of CBT over ET were 74.9% for 1xWTP and 82.8% for 3xWTP in the base case. CONCLUSION: Both sputum and blood cultures provide advantages for cost-saving and LE gains for hospitalized patients with CAP. CBT is cost-effective in patients all ages, PSI class III or above patients, and ICU patients.