Implementation of assistance for one pregnant woman one cadre (OPOC) in Banjarnegara District, Central Java Province, Indonesia.

The high maternal mortality rate caused by late detection of risk factors for pregnant women is a major health problem in Banjarnegara District. One of the efforts made to overcome this problem is the implementation of assistance for one pregnant woman by one cadre (OPOC). The application of OPOC consists of four mentoring activities, namely reminders about antenatal care schedule, detecting risk factors, monitoring fetal movements, and carrying out delivery planning and handling complications. Therefore, this study aims to describe the implementation of OPOC as well as to evaluate cadres' performance in Banjarnegara District. A quantitative cross-sectional design was used, where a total of 200 cadres were selected as respondents using a representative purposive sampling method. The results showed that reminding mothers about their antenatal care schedule, detecting risk factors, monitoring of fetal health through movements, and making commitments for birth planning and complications prevention were carried out by 199 (99.49%), 129 (64.84%), 138 (69.05%), and 159 (79.42%) respondents, respectively. More than 92% of them know their duties and responsibilities as companions for pregnant women, but only 28% have knowledge about the benefits of assisting. Furthermore, 93% often carry out OPOC assistance. The knowledge of cadres about OPOC assistance was good, but some of them are not knowledgeable about its benefits. These findings show that they need guidance, training, and motivation from public health centers.

Leptospirosis in rats and livestock in Bantul and Gunungkidul district, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

Background and Aim: The animal reservoir of leptospirosis is comprised of both domestic and wild mammals, with rats known as the most important in the spread of the disease. The occurrence of this reservoir in residential areas increases the potential for leptospirosis transmission. This study aimed to investigate the type of reservoirs and estimate the prevalence of leptospirosis in rats and livestock animals in Bantul and Gunungkidul districts, Special Region of Yogyakarta Province, Indonesia. Materials and Methods: This research utilized a cross-sectional study design. Rat trapping and livestock (cattle, goat, and sheep) blood surveys were conducted at four locations in each district. Samples of rat renal and livestock blood serum were examined using the polymerase chain reaction technique to determine the presence of Leptospira bacteria. The data were analyzed descriptively by describing the species of rats trapped, the types of cattle, and the prevalence of Leptospira in the sample. Results: The rat species infected with Leptospira in Bantul district consisted of Rattus tanezumi 4.8% (3/63); Rattus norvegicus 12.5% (2/16); Bandicota indica 28.6% (2/7); and Bandicota bengalensis 50.0% (1/2). No rats were found to be positive for Leptospira in Gunungkidul district. The prevalence of Leptospira in cattle was 63.64% (7/11) in Bantul district and 50.00% (8/16) in Gunungkidul district. In goats and sheep, the prevalence of Leptospira was 22.22% (2/9) in Bantul district and 45.16% (14/31) in Gunungkidul district. Conclusion: The potential exists for transmission of leptospirosis from rats and cattle in Bantul and Gunungkidul Districts. It is necessary to increase leptospirosis awareness. Community education, especially for livestock farmers, needs to be improved to prevent the transmission of leptospirosis from livestock.

Dengue in Java, Indonesia: Relevance of Mosquito Indices as Risk Predictors.

BACKGROUND: No vaccine is currently available for dengue virus (DENV), therefore control programmes usually focus on managing mosquito vector populations. Entomological surveys provide the most common means of characterising vector populations and predicting the risk of local dengue virus transmission. Despite Indonesia being a country strongly affected by DENV, only limited information is available on the local factors affecting DENV transmission and the suitability of available survey methods for assessing risk. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We conducted entomological surveys in the Banyumas Regency (Central Java) where dengue cases occur on an annual basis. Four villages were sampled during the dry and rainy seasons: two villages where dengue was endemic, one where dengue cases occurred sporadically and one which was dengue-free. In addition to data for conventional larvae indices, we collected data on pupae indices, and collected adult mosquitoes for species identification in order to determine mosquito species composition and population density. Traditionally used larval indices (House indices, Container indices and Breteau indices) were found to be inadequate as indicators for DENV transmission risk. In contrast, species composition of adult mosquitoes revealed that competent vector species were dominant in dengue endemic and sporadic villages. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our data suggested that the utility of traditional larvae indices, which continue to be used in many dengue endemic countries, should be re-evaluated locally. The results highlight the need for validation of risk indicators and control strategies across DENV affected areas here and perhaps elsewhere in SE Asia.