Suboptimal child healthcare practices and the development of multiple infectious diseases in children aged 24-59 months.

Background: Infections continue to be a major cause of death among children under the age of five worldwide. This study aimed to identify the factors associated with the development of multiple infectious diseases in children aged 24-59 months in Indonesia. Methods: Data from the 2018 Basic Health Research conducted by the Ministry of Health, Republic of Indonesia, were used. Information from 39,948 children aged 24-59 months was analyzed. The outcome variable was the development of multiple infectious diseases, that is, acute respiratory infections, pneumonia, pulmonary tuberculosis, diarrhea, and hepatitis, in the month before the survey. Factors significantly associated with multiple types of infectious diseases were examined using logistic regression. Results: The study found that 76.6% of children aged 24 to 59 months in Indonesia had at least one type of infectious disease. The likelihood of developing multiple types of infectious diseases increased in children whose parents did not practice appropriate handwashing with soap and running water [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.16, p < 0.001], those who received supplemental food (aOR = 1.38, p < 0.001), those with poor nutritional status (aOR = 1.12, p < 0.001), and those living in urban areas (aOR = 1.07, p = 0.045). Conclusion: Improving caregivers' awareness of adequate child healthcare practices, in addition to nutrition-sensitive and specific interventions to improve children's nutritional status, is required to prevent children from contracting multiple types of infectious diseases.

Risk factors for the metabolic syndrome in non-obese older Indonesians.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The problem of metabolic syndrome among non-obese older people is often ignored. This study examines the risk factors for metabolic syndrome in non-obese older people in Indonesia. We analyzed information collected from 3323 non-obese older respondents interviewed in the 2018 Basic Health Research program. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: The outcome variable was the metabolic syndrome consisting of three components: high lipid profile, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The potential predictors analyzed were socio-demographic and behavioral factors consisting of psychomotor (cigarette smoking + physical activity) and dietary behavior (consumption of fat + fruit/vegetable). Multinomial logistic regression analysis was employed to assess metabolic syndrome risk factors in non-obese older people. RESULTS: We found that the proportion of non-obese older people in Indonesia with metabolic syndrome was 83.8% (95%CI: 82.4-85.2%). The odds of developing 2-3 components of metabolic syndrome increased in respondents from rural areas (aOR=1.26, p=0.033) and those with moderate psychomotor behavior problems (current smoker/ex-smoker with sufficient physical activity) (aOR=1.48, p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Health promotion activities are vital to improve awareness and promote healthy behaviors, specifically for those living in rural areas and smoking cigarettes.