The effectiveness of hepatitis B vaccine in toddlers based on the five-year period national basic health research (Riskesdas 2007, 2013 and 2018) in Indonesia.

Background: Hepatitis B is a viral infection that has a high prevalence in Indonesia. The Ministry of Health of Indonesia has conducted a national vaccination program for hepatitis B. In order to evaluate the success of the hepatitis B vaccination in Indonesia, a community study based on basic health research (Riskesdas) was performed nationwide since 2007 for five year period in 2007, 2013, and 2018. Methods: Further statistical analysis was performed specifically for the children under 59 months old (toddlers) immunized in both urban and rural areas in 2007, 2013, and 2018 based on certain characteristics by examining antibodies against HBsAg (anti-HBs), IgG antibodies against the core antigen (HBcAb), surface antigen (HBsAg) of hepatitis B virus (HBV). The data obtained from the data management laboratory of Ministry of Health, Indonesia, was analyzed with Bivariate analysis with continuity correction chi-square or Pearson chi-square using Stata software version 16. Results: This study showed an increase in hepatitis B coverage of complete immunization (30% in 2007, 60.3% in 2013, and 57% in 2018), which was also influenced by mothers' level of education (Pearson chi-square , p ¡ 0.05) and access to health service points within 30 minutes (OR = 1.3-2.8, p ¡ 0.05). The trend of the percentage of immune status (anti-HBs) was increased (41.8% in 2007; 56.1% in 2013; and 79.1% in 2018). The higher anti-HBs was found in complete hepatitis B immunization status (OR = 1.5-2, p ¡ 0.05) and in good nutritional status (p ¡ 0.05). However, the anti-HBs was found decreased with increasing age (p ¡ 0.05). The trend of positive HBcAb (exposure to HBV infection) showed a decrease gradually of almost ten times from 2007 (8.6%-13.5%) compared to 2013 (2.6%-11.1%) and 2018 (1.1%-2%). Urban areas were at higher risk of hepatitis B exposure (OR = 1.4-2.2) than rural areas (OR = 0.37-0.80). The HBsAg data were only available in 2013 and 2018. Riskesdas data analysis showed the prevalence of hepatitis B (HBsAg) was lower in complete immunization status than that in incomplete one (p ¡ 0.05), but with an increase from 3.9% (2013) to 9.3% (2018), possibly due to inappropriate implementation of birth dose immunization or a vaccine-escape mutant from the HBV variants. Conclusions: The effectiveness of hepatitis B vaccine obtained from the three Riskesdas periods in Indonesia showed an improvement, with an increase in immune status, reduced exposure to HBV and a lower prevalence of hepatitis B in children with complete vaccination. However, there is still an increase in hepatitis B infection, especially in urban areas. Therefore, a long-term evaluation of immunization coverage especially ensuring that the initial dose of immunization was given within the first 24 h of birth, HBsAg and HBcAb, nutritional status, genomic surveillance of HBV, and other aspects of program quality evaluation are needed to ensure that elimination efforts have been implemented properly.

Laboratory and epidemiology data of pertussis cases and close contacts: A 5-year case-based surveillance of pertussis in Indonesia, 2016-2020.

Pertussis cases have been reported most frequently in developed countries, but they are predicted to be the most prevalent in developing countries. Indonesia, a developing country, routinely conducts case-based surveillance for pertussis. We reviewed the data on pertussis cases and close contacts based on clinical sample documents examined in the National Reference Laboratory for pertussis, Indonesia (2016-2020). Our objective was to analyze the laboratory and epidemiological aspects of pertussis cases and close contacts, particularly to evaluate the implementation of a 5-year case-based surveillance of pertussis in Indonesia. Data were collected from sample documents and annual laboratory reports between January 2016 and December 2020. We analyzed the proportion of pertussis cases and close contacts by geographic region, year, age, and sex. We used the χ2 test to correlate the laboratory and epidemiological data. In total, 274 clinical cases of pertussis and 491 close contacts were recorded in 15 provinces. The peak number of cases occurred in 2019, with a positivity rate (percentage of laboratory-confirmed cases) of 41.23% (47/114). Clinical cases were dominated by infants aged <1 year (55.5%), and 52.9% of them were aged <6 months. Similarly, 72.3% (68/94) of the laboratory-confirmed cases were infants. Both clinical cases and positivity rates tended to be higher in females (155 cases, 38.1%) than in males (119 cases, 29.4%). No confirmed cases were found in children aged ≥10 years, although positive results still occurred in close contact. Age-group and laboratory-confirmed cases were correlated (p = 0.00). Clinical and confirmed cases of pertussis occurred mostly in the early age group and may be lower in those aged ≥10 years, especially in confirmed cases. New policies are needed for pertussis prevention at an early age, as well as the application of serology tests to increase laboratory-confirmed cases in children aged ≥10 years.

Outcome and extent of disability following Japanese encephalitis in Indonesian children.

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to assess outcome, including level of disability, following Japanese encephalitis (JE) in children in Indonesia. METHODS: A cohort of children diagnosed with laboratory-confirmed JE from January 2005 to August 2006 was followed-up, with disability measured at least 4 months after discharge from hospital. An assessment tool that can be used to rapidly determine practical level of disability and the likelihood that a child will be able to live independently after illness, the Liverpool Outcome Score, was used. RESULTS: Of 72 children with JE, determination of outcome was possible for 65 (90%). Sixteen died in hospital or before follow-up assessment (25%). Sixteen children (25%) had severe sequelae, indicating their function was impaired enough to likely make them dependent. Five (7%) had moderate sequelae and 12 (18%) had minor sequelae. The remaining 16 children (25%) were considered to have recovered fully. CONCLUSIONS: Half of the children with JE either died or were left with serious disabilities likely to impair their ability to lead independent lives, demonstrating the severe impact of JE. Immunization can effectively prevent JE, and an immunization program could avert some of the economic and social burden of JE disease in Indonesia.

Confirmation of Japanese encephalitis as an endemic human disease through sentinel surveillance in Indonesia.

Japanese encephalitis (JE) results in significant mortality and disability in children in Asia. In Indonesia, despite recognition of JE virus transmission, reports of human disease have been few and from limited geographic areas. Hospital-based surveillance for acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) and JE in children 15 years of age and under was undertaken in 15 hospitals in six provinces from 2005 to 2006. High- and low-risk provinces in geographically dispersed areas were included. Health center-based surveillance also was undertaken in one province. Eighty-two JE cases were confirmed among 1,496 AES cases detected. JE cases were confirmed in all provinces, but the proportion varied between 18% and 2% among provinces of different risk levels. Children younger than 10 years of age represented 95% of JE cases, and 47% of all cases either died or were disabled. The study shows JE is an endemic human disease across Indonesia. Immunization strategies are being considered.

Health inequalities in Thailand: geographic distribution of medical supplies in the provinces.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the regional characteristics and geographic distribution of the medical staffs (physicians and nurses) and the patient beds in relation to the population and average death rates in each of the provinces in Thailand, by using the Lorenz curve and Gini coefficients. Those data were obtained from surveys conducted by the Ministry of Public Health and the Office of the National Education Commission. It was demonstrated that there are certain clear uneven distributions in medical personnel, especially physicians (Gini index = 0.433), by province. For physicians, nurses, and patient beds, approximately 39.6%, 25.8% and 20.6% are concentrated in the Bangkok Metropolis. Specific ideas to solve those problems are discussed in order to overcome this health care crisis by the year 2025.