Serum iron levels in tuberculosis patients and household contacts and its association with natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 1 polymorphism and expression.

BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency can impair immune function, increasing tuberculosis (TB) susceptibility and severity. The research aimed to investigate iron deficiency anemia in TB patients and household contacts and its association with natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 1 (NRAMP1) polymorphism and expression. METHODS: The levels of iron, ferritin, and transferrin were measured in the serum by ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay). NRAMP1 polymorphisms were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing. NRAMP1 gene expression was measured by real-time PCR. Interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) checked on household contacts to screen household contacts with positive IGRA as the control. RESULTS: This study involved 35 TB cases and 35 TB contacts. The results showed that the serum Fe levels were found to be lower in the TB case group (median 149.6 µmol/L) than in the positive IGRA household contacts group (median 628.53 µmol/L) with a p-value <0.001. Meanwhile, ferritin levels in TB cases tended to be higher, in contrast to transferrin, which was found to tend to be lower in TB cases than household contacts but did not show a significant difference. This study found no association between the polymorphism of exon 15 D543 and active TB. However, NRAMP1 gene expression was lower in TB cases than in positive IGRA household contacts (p = 0.011). Besides, there was a positive correlation between NRAMP1 gene expression and serum Fe levels (r = 0.367, p = 0.006). TB was associated with decreased NRAMP1 gene expression (OR 0.086 95% CI 0.02-0.366, p = 0.001). Besides, TB was associated with low Fe levels (OR 0.533 95% CI 0.453-0.629, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Comparing the TB case to the household contacts group, decreased serum Fe levels were discovered in the TB case group. This study also shows a correlation of NRAMP1 gene expression to Fe levels in TB patients and household contacts and describes that TB may lead to decreased Fe levels by downregulating NRAMP1 expression.

Potentially Toxic Element Levels in Atmospheric Particulates and Health Risk Estimation around Industrial Areas of Maros, Indonesia.

Air quality deterioration is a major environmental problem in Indonesia. This study evaluated the levels and health risks of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in Maros Regency, Indonesia. Total suspended particulate matter was collected from industrial areas for PTE (Al, Pb, Cr, Cu, Ni, As and Zn) analysis using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Samples were collected from six critical areas in the Bantimurung region as that is where marble, cement and limestone industries are located. A calculation of the non-carcinogenic and cancer risks was performed to determine the potential health exposures in adults and children. A Monte Carlo simulation with 10,000 iterations and a sensitivity analysis was carried out to identify the risk probability and the most sensitive variable contributing to cancer risk from PTE exposure in humans. The results showed that the concentration of PTEs decreased in the order of Zn > Al > Cr > Pb > Cu > Ni > As in the wet season, and Zn > Al > Pb > As > Cr > Cu > Ni in the dry season. The hazard index (HI) value for children was 2.12, indicating a high non-carcinogenic risk for children. The total cancer risk (TCR) values in adults and children were 3.11 × 10-5 and 1.32 × 10-4, respectively, implying that both are at risk for developing cancer. The variables with the most contribution to cancer risk from As, Cr and Pb exposure in adults and children were As concentration (33.9% and 41.0%); exposure duration (ED) (34.3%) and SA (40.7%); and SA (98.7 % and 45.4%), respectively. These findings could be used as the scientific basis for public health intervention and to raise awareness of the harmful health effects of particulate bound PTEs.

Risk factors for asphyxia neonatorum in public health centres of nosarara and pantoloan, Palu City.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the risk factors of asphyxia neonatorum in two PONED Public Health Centers of Nosarara and Pantoloan, in Palu City, Central Sulawesi. METHODS: This study used a case-control study design. Sampling was conducted by a simple random sampling technique. The sample size in this study was 60 samples. The data collected was secondary data from medical records at Nosarara and Patoloan Public Health Centers, Palu City. Multivariate analysis used to determine the main risk of the incidence of neonatal asphyxia. RESULTS: The results showed the Prolong Parturition OR=5.714 (95% CI 1.724-18.944); Prematurity OR=4.333 (95% CI 1.203-15.605); LBW OR=7.000 (95% CI 1.381-35.487). CONCLUSION: risk factors for neonatal asphyxia were prolonged labour, prematurity, and LBW. The main factors causing neonatal asphyxia were LBW.

Mapping of high-risk detection of women pregnancy on antenatal care in Talise Health Center, Palu City, Indonesia.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to map pregnant women with high-risk pregnancies based on age, parity, pregnancy history, childbirth history, illness history, and CED status history as well as the relationship between the six factors. METHOD: This study utilized a survey method with descriptive data without the intervention of variables but observed phenomena or sought the relationship between phenomena and other variables. The survey was conducted with an approach using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). There were 243 respondents obtained using the Lemeshow formula, while the data were analyzed using spatial techniques and Chi-Square test with p>0.05. RESULTS: The results of spatial analysis using a 1: 50,000 scale map showed that; (1) high-risk and very high-risk pregnancies dominated Talise, (2) based on age, parity, pregnancy history, childbirth history, illness history, and CED status, cases of high-risk pregnancies were all detected in Talise, (3) age (p=0.000). Furthermore, pregnancy history (p=0.004) correlated with a high-risk pregnancy. Besides, parity, childbirth history, illness history, and CED status did not correlate with high-risk pregnancy since the p-value>0.05; (4) age and pregnancy history influenced the high-risk pregnancy.

The influence of fluoride in drinking water on the incidence of fluorosis and intelligence of elementary school students in Palu City.

OBJECTIVE: This research aims to know the influence of fluoride in drinking water towards Fluorosis and the Intelligence Level of Elementary School Students in Palu City. METHOD: This cross-sectional study was performed through descriptive analysis on 100 students aged 6-12 years old selected by stratified random sampling from two different areas with different levels of fluoride in drinking water in Palu City. The samples were collected from two different elementary schools which were SDN 2 Talise and SDN Inpres 1 Birobuli. The examination was performed by a dentist using Dean's Fluorosis Index and philology, who measured students' IQ using Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices. RESULTS: High level of F in drinking water affects the fluorosis status of students (p=0.001), in which among 40 students (40%) who experienced fluorosis, 38 (38%) of them are from the area whose F level is high. The high level of F also affected the children's IQ, obtaining a p-value of 0.001, showing that there were no students with low IQ found in the area with low F level. For the status of Fluorosis and IQ, p=0.001 was obtained. Among the 60 students who did not experience fluorosis, 96.6% of them had a high IQ level. CONCLUSION: The recent research found that fluorosis was found more often in the area of which F level was high, where the IQ level of the students was found to be lower compared to the students who loved in the area with low F level.

Hospital laboratory management in dealing with disaster.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to identify scientific evidence and knowledge currently available related to clinical laboratory management in the face of disasters with the literature review method. METHOD: This is a literature review study. Various references were collected from online databases, including reports, scientific journals, and books in the last ten years. Articles are screened according to the research objectives. The keywords used are laboratories, hospitals, disasters, Point of Care Testing (POCT). RESULTS: POCT is defined as the tools of a laboratory diagnostic test used in a disaster situation effectively. It can be operated by anyone who has been trained. However, it is quite constrained by temperature, earthquake shocks, and battery life. Storage and reagents supply, such as the strip test, might be prepare before the disaster. Moreover, maintenance and validation of POCT tools in disaster preparation is necessary. Hospitals must prepare POCT to conquer the limitation of electricity sources, human resources, and buildings situation was using a laboratory diagnostic analyzer not possible. The POCT was suitable to be conveyed anywhere both within the hospital and to disaster sites using the vehicle. CONCLUSION: POCT has the enormous potential as an emergency laboratory examination tool both at the hospital and at the disaster site to grip patient safety.

The relationship among working period, work shift, and workload to work fatigue in air traffic controllers at Sultan Hasanuddin Airport.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the relationship among working period, work shift, and workload with work fatigue in the ATCs at Sultan Hasanuddin Airport, Makassar. METHODS: This research is an analytic observational study with a cross sectional design. A sample of 65 people was obtained by purposive random sampling. The mental workload was assessed by NASA TLX, whereas work fatigue was assessed by the KAUPK2 questionnaires. RESULT: The results showed that out of 65 samples, 28 (43.1%) of them experienced work fatigue. It was found that there was no significant relationship between working period with work fatigue (p=0.055>0.05). Furthermore, there is a significant relationship between work shift with work fatigue (p=0.015<0.05) as well as workload and work fatigue (p=0.021<0.05). CONCLUSION: It is concluded that there is no significant relationship between working period and work fatigue, while work shift, and workload have a significant relationship with work fatigue in ATCs at Sultan Hasanuddin Airport Makassar.

Clean water supply vulnerability model for improving the quality of public health (environmental health perspective): A case in Spermonde islands, Makassar Indonesia.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to generate a clean water vulnerability model based on exogenous variables: accessibility, socio-economic, and population behavior to endogenous variables: occupancy density and water vulnerability to support the quality of public health in Spermonde island. METHODS: This research was conducted in three islands (Spermonde), namely Lae-Lae, Barang Caddi, and Lumu-Lumu. The research design is observational analytic with a cross-sectional approach. The 212 respondents were obtained using a simple random sampling method. A questionnaire was employed to interview respondents related to the level of environmental vulnerability. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). RESULTS: The study found some variables are not statistically significant associated with water vulnerability such as accessibility to occupancy density (P=0.095), socio-economic to occupancy density (P=0.991), accessibility to water vulnerability (P=0.383), socio-economic against water vulnerability (P=0.417), occupancy density for water vulnerability (P<0.01). In contrast, behavior to occupancy density (P=0.002), behavior towards water vulnerability (P=below 0.01) have a significant association. CONCLUSION: Community behavior and occupancy density are the main factors associated with the vulnerability of clean water on the small spermonde islands. Adaptation behavior with water vulnerability such as water storage and saving needs to be improved.

Community Health Risk Assessment of Total Suspended Particulates near a Cement Plant in Maros Regency, Indonesia.

BACKGROUND: Cement plants generate particulate matter (PM) across processes from raw material preparation to packaging. The presence of total suspended particulates (TSP) coming out of the stack causes a high accumulation of dust in residential areas. Human exposure to TSP could affect human health and wellbeing. OBJECTIVES: The present study aims to evaluate concentrations of TSP and to estimate the health risks of TSP exposure through the inhalation pathway in communities surrounding a private cement industry in Maros regency, Indonesia. METHODS: Total suspended particulates were collected using a high-volume air sampler (HVAS) at five locations. Samples were taken by grab sampling for 24 hours. The SCREEN3 program was used to view the maximum range and distribution of pollutants based on the geographical, stack profiles and meteorological factors in the study area. Hazard quotient (HQ) was used to estimate non-carcinogenic risks of TSP in surrounding communities. RESULTS: Total suspended particulate concentrations were measured with a maximum value of 133.24 µg/m3 and a minimum value of 18.48 µg/m3. This maximum value exceeds the minimum acceptable level from Canadian National Ambient Air Quality Objectives (C-NAAQOs). The non-carcinogenic risks from the inhalation pathway were low except for location 3 (HQ>1) across all locations. CONCLUSIONS: The cement plant may significantly contribute to total TSP concentrations in air and may potentially have adverse effects on human health. Communities near the cement plant are vulnerable to TSP exposure and measures are needed to reduce TSP in Maros regency, Indonesia. PARTICIPANT CONSENT: Obtained. ETHICS APPROVAL: This study was approved by the Health Research Ethics Committee of Hasanuddin University with protocol number 28920093022. COMPETING INTERESTS: The authors declare no competing financial interests.

The difference in the number of complaints from patient health services using national health insurance at regional general hospitals.

OBJECTIVE: Health services can cause different perceptions of each patient as recipients of health services. This study aims to determine the difference in the number of complaints in several regional general hospitals in Gorontalo Province. METHOD: The method used in this research is interviewing and collecting data in situ at the Gorontalo provincial health office. Data analysis used a one-way analysis of variance. The research sample consisted of seven regional public hospitals in Gorontalo Province. RESULTS: The results showed that the average number of complaints was 15-22 complaints per month in seven hospitals in Gorontalo Province. The average number of health services complaints in several Gorontalo Provincial Hospitals is at the Aloe Saboe Regional General Hospital, 22 complaints per month. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed significant differences in the number of complaints about health services at seven regional general hospitals in Gorontalo Province.

Risk identification of heavy metals in well water surrounds watershed area of Pangkajene, Indonesia.

OBJECTIVE: This study wants to evaluate heavy metals pollution and ecological risk level of well water in Pangkajene watershed area. METHODS: The total concentration of Cd, Cr(VI), Pb and Ni were determined using AAS. We used heavy metal pollution index (HPI), metal index (MI), hazard quotient (HQ) used to estimate metals pollution and ecological risk level. Pearson correlation analysis is executed to evaluate the relationship between all measured parameters. RESULT: The concentration of Cd, Ni and Pb are below detection limit value. The mean concentration of Cr(VI) 0.0017±0.0006mgL-1. The mean of HPI and MI value are 3.06 and 0.06, respectively. The upstream area of Pangkajene has HQ value for Cr(VI) is higher than 1, it indicates that exposure of Cr(VI) may cause adverse effects to the ecological system and human health. CONCLUSION: The Cr(VI) is the main risk factor for well water contamination surrounds Pangkajene watershed area.

Ecological risk assessment of hexavalent chromium and silicon dioxide in well water in Maros Regency, Indonesia.

OBJECTIVE: This paper assesses the potential ecological risk of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) and silicon dioxide/silica (SiO2) in well water. Both of pollutants have been classified as carcinogenic compound. The ecological risk assessment of drinking water is an effective tool to evaluate drinking water quality to reduce further risk. METHOD: Fourteen well water samples were collected around the residential area near cement industrial activity and karst mining area. Estimating the ecological risk of well water which consumed daily evaluated based on Hazard Quotient (HQ) ratio. RESULTS: The mean values of Cr(VI) and SiO2 in well water samples were 0.0017mg/L and 12.94mg/L, respectively. Drinking water in this area are unacceptable. HQ values for SiO2 at all stations are more than 1 (moderate level). CONCLUSIONS: Cr(VI) and SiO2 are discoverable within well water surrounding the research location. This finding is used as scientific data and references for ecological protection of drinking water in Maros.

Ecological risk assessment of hexavalent chromium and silicon dioxide in well water in Maros Regency, Indonesia

Objective: This paper assesses the potential ecological risk of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) and silicon dioxide/silica (SiO2) in well water. Both of pollutants have been classified as carcinogenic compound. The ecological risk assessment of drinking water is an effective tool to evaluate drinking water quality to reduce further risk. Method: Fourteen well water samples were collected around the residential area near cement industrial activity and karst mining area. Estimating the ecological risk of well water which consumed daily evaluated based on Hazard Quotient (HQ) ratio. Results: The mean values of Cr(VI) and SiO2 in well water samples were 0.0017 mg/L and 12.94 mg/L, respectively. Drinking water in this area are unacceptable. HQ values for SiO2 at all stations are more than 1 (moderate level). Conclusions: Cr(VI) and SiO2 are discoverable within well water surrounding the research location. This finding is used as scientific data and references for ecological protection of drinking water in Maros. (AU)

The difference in the number of complaints from patient health services using national health insurance at regional general hospitals

Objective: Health services can cause different perceptions of each patient as recipients of health services. This study aims to determine the difference in the number of complaints in several regional general hospitals in Gorontalo Province. Method: The method used in this research is interviewing and collecting data in situ at the Gorontalo provincial health office. Data analysis used a one-way analysis of variance. The research sample consisted of seven regional public hospitals in Gorontalo Province. Results: The results showed that the average number of complaints was 15–22 complaints per month in seven hospitals in Gorontalo Province. The average number of health services complaints in several Gorontalo Provincial Hospitals is at the Aloe Saboe Regional General Hospital, 22 complaints per month. Conclusions: The results showed significant differences in the number of complaints about health services at seven regional general hospitals in Gorontalo Province. (AU)

Risk identification of heavy metals in well water surrounds watershed area of Pangkajene, Indonesia

Objective: This study wants to evaluate heavy metals pollution and ecological risk level of well water in Pangkajene watershed area. Methods: The total concentration of Cd, Cr(VI), Pb and Ni were determined using AAS. We used heavy metal pollution index (HPI), metal index (MI), hazard quotient (HQ) used to estimate metals pollution and ecological risk level. Pearson correlation analysis is executed to evaluate the relationship between all measured parameters. Result: The concentration of Cd, Ni and Pb are below detection limit value. The mean concentration of Cr(VI) 0.0017 ± 0.0006 mg L−1. The mean of HPI and MI value are 3.06 and 0.06, respectively. The upstream area of Pangkajene has HQ value for Cr(VI) is higher than 1, it indicates that exposure of Cr(VI) may cause adverse effects to the ecological system and human health. Conclusion: The Cr(VI) is the main risk factor for well water contamination surrounds Pangkajene watershed area. (AU)

Risk factors for asphyxia neonatorum in public health centres of nosarara and pantoloan, Palu City

Objective: This study aims to determine the risk factors of asphyxia neonatorum in two PONED Public Health Centers of Nosarara and Pantoloan, in Palu City, Central Sulawesi. Methods: This study used a case-control study design. Sampling was conducted by a simple random sampling technique. The sample size in this study was 60 samples. The data collected was secondary data from medical records at Nosarara and Patoloan Public Health Centers, Palu City. Multivariate analysis used to determine the main risk of the incidence of neonatal asphyxia. Results: The results showed the Prolong Parturition OR = 5.714 (95% CI 1.724–18.944); Prematurity OR = 4.333 (95% CI 1.203–15.605); LBW OR = 7.000 (95% CI 1.381–35.487). Conclusion: risk factors for neonatal asphyxia were prolonged labour, prematurity, and LBW. The main factors causing neonatal asphyxia were LBW. (AU)

Mapping of high-risk detection of women pregnancy on antenatal care in Talise Health Center, Palu City, Indonesia

Objective: This study aimed to map pregnant women with high-risk pregnancies based on age, parity, pregnancy history, childbirth history, illness history, and CED status history as well as the relationship between the six factors. Method: This study utilized a survey method with descriptive data without the intervention of variables but observed phenomena or sought the relationship between phenomena and other variables. The survey was conducted with an approach using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). There were 243 respondents obtained using the Lemeshow formula, while the data were analyzed using spatial techniques and Chi-Square test with p > 0.05. Results: The results of spatial analysis using a 1: 50,000 scale map showed that; (1) high-risk and very high-risk pregnancies dominated Talise, (2) based on age, parity, pregnancy history, childbirth history, illness history, and CED status, cases of high-risk pregnancies were all detected in Talise, (3) age (p = 0.000). Furthermore, pregnancy history (p = 0.004) correlated with a high-risk pregnancy. Besides, parity, childbirth history, illness history, and CED status did not correlate with high-risk pregnancy since the p-value > 0.05; (4) age and pregnancy history influenced the high-risk pregnancy. (AU)

The influence of fluoride in drinking water on the incidence of fluorosis and intelligence of elementary school students in Palu City

Objective: This research aims to know the influence of fluoride in drinking water towards Fluorosis and the Intelligence Level of Elementary School Students in Palu City. Method: This cross-sectional study was performed through descriptive analysis on 100 students aged 6–12 years old selected by stratified random sampling from two different areas with different levels of fluoride in drinking water in Palu City. The samples were collected from two different elementary schools which were SDN 2 Talise and SDN Inpres 1 Birobuli. The examination was performed by a dentist using Dean's Fluorosis Index and philology, who measured students’ IQ using Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices. Results: High level of F in drinking water affects the fluorosis status of students (p = 0.001), in which among 40 students (40%) who experienced fluorosis, 38 (38%) of them are from the area whose F level is high. The high level of F also affected the children's IQ, obtaining a p-value of 0.001, showing that there were no students with low IQ found in the area with low F level. For the status of Fluorosis and IQ, p = 0.001 was obtained. Among the 60 students who did not experience fluorosis, 96.6% of them had a high IQ level. Conclusion: The recent research found that fluorosis was found more often in the area of which F level was high, where the IQ level of the students was found to be lower compared to the students who loved in the area with low F level. (AU)

Hospital laboratory management in dealing with disaster

Objective: This study aims to identify scientific evidence and knowledge currently available related to clinical laboratory management in the face of disasters with the literature review method. Method: This is a literature review study. Various references were collected from online databases, including reports, scientific journals, and books in the last ten years. Articles are screened according to the research objectives. The keywords used are laboratories, hospitals, disasters, Point of Care Testing (POCT). Results: POCT is defined as the tools of a laboratory diagnostic test used in a disaster situation effectively. It can be operated by anyone who has been trained. However, it is quite constrained by temperature, earthquake shocks, and battery life. Storage and reagents supply, such as the strip test, might be prepare before the disaster. Moreover, maintenance and validation of POCT tools in disaster preparation is necessary. Hospitals must prepare POCT to conquer the limitation of electricity sources, human resources, and buildings situation was using a laboratory diagnostic analyzer not possible. The POCT was suitable to be conveyed anywhere both within the hospital and to disaster sites using the vehicle. Conclusion: POCT has the enormous potential as an emergency laboratory examination tool both at the hospital and at the disaster site to grip patient safety. (AU)

The relationship among working period, work shift, and workload to work fatigue in air traffic controllers at Sultan Hasanuddin Airport

Objective: This study aims to determine the relationship among working period, work shift, and workload with work fatigue in the ATCs at Sultan Hasanuddin Airport, Makassar. Methods: This research is an analytic observational study with a cross sectional design. A sample of 65 people was obtained by purposive random sampling. The mental workload was assessed by NASA TLX, whereas work fatigue was assessed by the KAUPK2 questionnaires. Result: The results showed that out of 65 samples, 28 (43.1%) of them experienced work fatigue. It was found that there was no significant relationship between working period with work fatigue (p = 0.055 > 0.05). Furthermore, there is a significant relationship between work shift with work fatigue (p = 0.015 < 0.05) as well as workload and work fatigue (p = 0.021 < 0.05). Conclusion: It is concluded that there is no significant relationship between working period and work fatigue, while work shift, and workload have a significant relationship with work fatigue in ATCs at Sultan Hasanuddin Airport Makassar. (AU)