BACKGROUND: Tobacco smoking is a major cause of preventable disease and death worldwide. Kreteks are clove-flavored cigarettes made from a combination of tobacco and ground-clove mixed with a sauce, smoked widely in Indonesia. Because health and social consequences of kretek smoking are potentially as great as those of traditional cigarettes, this study examines the prevalence of kretek smoking in Indonesia and associated risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study used nationally representative Indonesia Global Adult Tobacco Survey data. Multiple logistic regression analysis was employed to identify correlates of kretek smoking. RESULTS: One- third of Indonesian adults smoked tobacco of which about 90.0% smoked kreteks. Prevalence of kretek smoking among men (60.9%) was more than 25 times the rate among women (2.3%). Overall, the highest prevalence of kretek use was in the age group 45-54 years (36.5%), followed by 34-44 (35.1%), 25-34 (34.2 %), and 55-64 years (32.8%). By wealth index, prevalence of kreteks smoking among those in the middle index was almost 50% above the rate for the wealthiest group (36.4% vs 24.8% respectively). Logistic regression results showed that being male, being older, having less education, and being less wealthy were significant predictors of kretek smoking, while urban vs rural residence was not. CONCLUSIONS: Kretek smoking is common in Indonesia and is entrenched in the sociocultural fabric of the country. However, potential consequences of kretek smoking, particularly as risks for noncommunicable diseases, underscore the importance of a comprehensive approach to tobacco control as outlined in the World Health Organization's MPOWER strategies.
Nicotiana , Smoking/epidemiology , Syzygium , Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Indonesia/epidemiology , Male , Middle Aged , Prevalence , Public Health , Risk Factors , Sex Factors , Social Class , Surveys and Questionnaires , Young Adult
We report a case of echinococcal disease affecting the brain and the kidney. The case is unusual because of multiplicity of the intracerebral lesion and sparing of the liver and lungs. The intracerebral lesion was presented with epileptic convulsions. This was successfully treated surgically. Subsequently renal echinococcal cysts were identified. These were treated by partial nephrectomy due to the location of the cysts. The patient is disease free at 8 years.
Brain Diseases/parasitology , Echinococcosis/diagnosis , Kidney Diseases/parasitology , Adult , Brain Diseases/surgery , Echinococcosis/surgery , Humans , Kidney Diseases/surgery , Male , Tomography, X-Ray Computed
We report a case of echinococcal disease affecting the brain and the kidney. The case is unusual because of multiplicity of the intracerebral lesion and sparing of the liver and lungs. The intracerebral lesion was presented with epileptic convulsions. This was successfully treated surgically. Subsequently renal echinococcal cysts were identified. These were treated by partial nephrectomy due to the location of the cysts. The patient is disease free at 8 years.
