Journal of Public Health Research and Community Health Development

OVERVIEW OF ADOLESCENTS MENTAL HEALTH STATUS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN INDONESIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Khoiriyah Isni — 2025-09-30

Background: There has been a steady rise in the number of teenagers who are reporting mental health issues. Empirical evidence confirms a significant increase in mental health services in Yogyakarta between 2018 and 2022. The efforts to prevent and control mental health issues are extensive and all-encompassing, with one approach being the early identification of mental health problems in teenagers. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess the mental health levels of teenagers during the COVID-19 epidemic. Methods: This study used a quantitative descriptive methodology, encompassing a sample of 64 adolescents residing in Warungboto Village, Yogyakarta City, aged between 15 and 24 years. The participants were chosen according to the prevalence of adolescents in the research area. The utilised instruments included the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), which were subjected to descriptive processing. Results: 56% of participants identified as male, while 61% fell within the age bracket of 19-24 years. Furthermore, a significant majority (97%) of respondents actively pursued education beyond the secondary level. The DASS-21 assessment revealed a highly pronounced level of anxiety (26.6%), a typical level of depression (35.9%), and a moderate degree of stress (18.8%). In addition, the PSS-10 findings indicated that 59% of adolescents encountered stress. Conclusion: Adolescents are a very susceptible demographic to mental health issues, particularly anxiety. Regular and timely screenings are necessary to prevent the progression of severity, especially in mild or moderate conditions.

DIARRHEA PREVENTION PRACTICES AMONG CARETAKERS OF UNDER FIVE CHILDREN IN TANZANIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Erasto Kinemelo — 2025-09-30

Background: Diarrhea remains the second leading public health concern, affecting children under the age of five. The World Health Organization stipulates that diarrhea diseases are responsible for approximately each year 801,000 deaths of children under five years old due to avoidable diarrhea diseases. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess Practices on Prevention of Diarrhea Disease to under Five Children Cared by Caretakers at Hombolo Ward in Dodoma, Tanzania. Methods: Cross sectional study design was used, quantitative approach was employed, 116 participants were included, stratified random sampling was used to select four strata and simple random technique was used from each stratum, questionnaires and observation methods were used to collect data among caretakers. Data analysis used Social Package Statistical Science (SPSS). Results: The findings indicate that 64.6% of the caretakers of under five children had moderate knowledge about diarrhea diseases, causes, symptoms and complications of diarrhea. Approximately 68.3 % of the caretakers had a positive attitude towards prevention of diarrhea, while 31.7 % had a negative attitude. Furthermore, it was revealed that in practice, for example,74.1% of caretakers failed to specify the methods they use to treat drinking water. Conclusion: The study concludes that the caretakers had moderate knowledge. Also, the caretakers had positive attitudes towards prevention of diarrhea. However, knowledge on diarrhea disease was not related to preventive practices as most caretakers with good knowledge often had poor preventive practices.

ADOLESCENT-PARENT COMMUNICATION ON SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH IN RURAL NEPAL: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Rajesh Karki — 2025-09-30

Background: Effective communication between adolescents and their parents plays a crucial role in fostering healthy sexual and reproductive behaviors. Despite its importance, communication remains limited in Nepal. Purpose: This study aims to assess the prevalence and determinants of adolescent-parent communication on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) topics in rural Nepal. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 319 adolescents selected from 604 adolescents in the Jhimruk Rural Municipality, Nepal, in 2023. Participants were randomly selected using the lottery method. Data was collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were employed for categorical variables, while multivariate logistic regression identified factors influencing adolescent-parent communication on SRH. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05, and the analyses were performed using SPSS version 26. Results: Most respondents (79.9%) were below 18 years of age, with a mean age of 15.80 years (SD ±1.63). Most (93.4%) had good knowledge of SRH. However, the prevalence of adolescent-parent communication on sexual and reproductive health topics was only 58.6%, with only 4.7% communicating frequently on different SRH topics. The major reasons for not communicating included shame (41.6%) and cultural unacceptability (30.4%). Significant factors associated with adolescent-parent communication included respondents' age, sex, ethnicity, boyfriend/girlfriend status, knowledge of SRH, parental living status, and parental education and occupation. Conclusion: Although the adolescents demonstrated good SRH knowledge, the substantial gap in parent-adolescent communication underscores the need for targeted interventions. Strategies should focus on empowering adolescents to initiate conversations with parents and educate both parties about the significance of open dialogue in SRH.

FROM CHILDHOOD WOUNDS TO HEALERS: UNDERSTANDING CHILDHOOD ADVERSITY AND PARENTAL ALCOHOLISM IN INDIA, A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Anusree Jayamohan — 2025-09-30

Background: Traumatic incidents that happen before the age of eighteen, such as domestic abuse, violence, and child abuse, are known as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Unfortunately, the trend is on the increase globally. Long-term health problems like alcoholism, depression, and chronic illnesses can be brought on by these experiences. Girls are impacted differently by gender norms and conceptions, and adolescents affected by ACEs are more likely to experience health disparities. Purpose: The current study is undertaken to estimate the prevalence and frequency of various types of ACEs among medical students in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. Methods: A cross-sectional study, 211 NSCB Medical College students' data were gathered with the use of the "Adverse Childhood Experiences" (ACEs) scale. Chi square test was employed to determine the association. Results: As many as 211 medical students from NSCB Medical College in Jabalpur participated in the study; 19.4% of people were found to have an ACE with 10.5% of pupils saying they had only one ACE while 5.5% of pupils indicated that they had >/= 3 ACEs. Verbal abuse (6.2%) and family members who were problem drinkers or alcoholics (6.6%) were the most common ACEs reported. Conclusion: In spite of the low prevalence, a sizable portion stressed the significance of helping those who have experienced hardship. In order to lessen the negative effects of traumatic childhood experiences on mental health, the study emphasizes the necessity for additional investigation, education, and intervention. Determining the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (in medical students is essential for developing focused interventions and support networks.

ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF DOMESTIC WASTE MANAGEMENT AMONG POLO-JIDDARI WARD HOUSEHOLDS IN NIGERIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Ahmad Muhammad Sirajo — 2025-09-30

Background: The estimated daily per capita waste generation in Nigeria ranged from 0.60 to 0.65 kg. In Maiduguri, this amount increased from approximately 390 tons per day in 2010 to 570 tons per day in 2016, according to UNDP (2016). Improper waste management and the disposal of hazardous waste contributed to significant public health challenges. Purpose: This study aimed to assess the attitudes of residents in Jiddari-Polo toward waste management and their current waste management practices. Method: The study utilized a cross-sectional survey design to investigate the attitude and practices of domestic waste management among households in Polo-Jiddari Ward, Maiduguri Metropolis, Borno State, Nigeria. This design was selected to gather comprehensive information on the current attitude and practices of household members in Jiddari-Polo regarding domestic waste management. A total of 110 participants were selected through the multistage sampling technique, incorporating both stratified and random sampling methods. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics with the assistance of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Result: The findings revealed that residents of Jiddari-Polo exhibited positive attitudes but poor practices regarding domestic waste management, as indicated by an overall mean score of 1.6 for attitude and 0.5 for practice. This highlighted a notable discrepancy between favorable attitudes toward waste management and the actual practices adopted by respondents. Conclusion: Based on the findings, the study concluded that while residents of Jiddari-Polo demonstrated a positive attitude toward domestic waste management, this attitude did not translate into effective waste management practices.

RISK FACTORS OF INFERTILITY AMONG INDONESIAN WOMEN: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Lisa Septiana — 2025-09-30

Background: Infertility affects approximately 10-15% of couples in Indonesia and 48.5 million couples globally. It is a growing public health concern that impacts women due to various biological, psychological, and environmental factors. The increasing rates of female infertility, influenced by unhealthy lifestyles, emphasize the critical need for effective treatments and interventions for infertility. Purpose: This study aims to determine the relationship between risk factors such as age, BMI, employment status of wife and husband, and menarche age with infertility. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Rizafa Clinic in 2023, involving a purposive sample of 150 women. Variables such as age, obesity (determined by BMI), age at menarche, and occupation were both analyzed, and a chi-square test was performed to assess the association between risk factors and infertility. Results: The study revealed that female infertility is significantly influenced by obesity (p = 0.001). However, there was no association between age (p = 0.150), women’s occupation (p = 0,310), husband's occupation (p = 0,233), and menarche age (p = 0,969) with infertility. Conclusion: It can be concluded that there is a correlation between obesity and the incidence of infertility. Lifestyle changes that support reproductive health in women include maintaining a healthy body weight as a foundation and limiting the intake of foods high in sugar, saturated fats, and processed ingredients, as these can negatively impact metabolism and hormone balance. Addressing these key risk factors through lifestyle adjustments is essential for improving fertility outcomes.

CONGENITAL MALFORMATIONS OF THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM AMONG NEWBORNS DELIVERED AT TERTIARY HEALTH CARE HOSPITAL IN INDIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Sangeeta Devaliya — 2025-09-30

Background: Malformations of the central nervous system (CNS) are a significant contributor to childhood morbidity and death. Congenital CNS abnormalities may result in long-term disability that affects not only the child's development and well-being but also families, the medical system, and society as a whole. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the incidence, type, and associated risk factors of CNS malformations in newborns who were delivered to the Obstetrics and Gynecology department of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College (NSCB Medical College). Methods: An observational hospital-based study was carried out in the departments of pediatrics and obstetrics and gynecology at the NSCB Medical College and Hospital in Jabalpur. Data was entered into MS Excel, and IBM-SPSS 23.0 was used to perform descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. During a one-year study period, 40 cases of CNS malformation out of 7117 deliveries were found to have occurred either before or after birth. Results: During the study period, 40 cases of CNS malformation out of 7117 deliveries were identified either prenatally or at birth, making an incidence of 0.5%. Of all CNS anomalies, hydrocephalus accounted for 52.5 percent, whereas neural tube defects accounted for 27.5 percent. The other two main CNS abnormalities identified in utero were ventriculomegaly and midline defects. Conclusion: This study identified CNS malformations in newborns, with hydrocephalus and neural tube defects as the most common types. Key risk factors included younger maternal age, rural residence, inadequate antenatal care, adverse obstetric history, chronic illness, polyhydramnios, and maternal addiction.

CHILDHOOD TUBERCULOSIS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY OF PREVENTIVE PRACTICES AMONG MOTHERS OF TODDLERS IN INDONESIA

Zalfa’ul Rifdah — 2025-09-30

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) control and prevention in children is a global health priority. Despite various preventive efforts undertaken by the South Purwokerto Community Health Center, the incidence of childhood TB continues to rise. Purpose: This study aimed to determine the behaviors of toddlers' mothers in preventing TB in children in Teluk Subdistrict, South Purwokerto. Methods: This study employed an analytical observational design with a cross-sectional approach. The population comprised 522 mothers of toddlers in Teluk Subdistrict, with a sample of 81 respondents selected through a multi-stage sampling procedure involving cluster and purposive sampling from integrated healthcare centers in several community units. Primary data were collected using a questionnaire in November 2023. Data analysis involved chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression. Results: The findings revealed a significant association between mothers' attitudes (p-value = 0.02) and healthcare workers' support (p-value = 0.003) and their behaviors in preventing childhood TB. Conversely, variables such as education level (p-value = 0.78), occupation (p-value = 0.51), knowledge (p-value = 0.90), and information access (p-value = 0.10) showed no significant relationship. Logistic regression analysis indicated that healthcare workers' support was the most influential factor in determining mothers' behaviors in preventing childhood TB (p-value = 0.02) (OR = 3.53). Conclusion: Healthcare workers' support emerged as the primary determinant of mothers' behaviors in preventing childhood TB in Teluk Subdistrict, South Purwokerto.

Front Matter

Rika Yunita — 2025-09-30

EDUCATION REGARDING EARLY DETECTION AND EARLY TREATMENT OF BRAIN TUMORS IN BANYUWANGI REGENCY, INDONESIA

Rahadian Indarto Susilo — 2025-09-30

Brain tumors were estimated to occur at 6.4 per 100,000 people each year. The incidence rate of brain tumors in children is reported to be 5.7% out of every 100,000 children, while in adults, the reported rate is significantly higher at 29.9% out of every 100,000 people. Banyuwangi Regency has an area of 5,782.50 km2 with a population in 2018 of 1,609,677 people with a density of around 278 people/km2. With such a large population, early detection of brain tumors is important for the public to understand. Early detection activity programs from community health centre need to be held with the hope that health workers will be able to provide education and information regarding early symptoms and signs of brain tumors as well as risk factors for brain tumors for prevention. Increasing public knowledge about alerting the early symptoms of brain tumors is one strategy that can be used to reduce death and disability rates due to brain tumors. The aim of this community service program is to increase the knowledge of the lay public and health workers regarding early detection and early treatment of brain tumors in Banyuwangi Regency. Pre- and post-test questionnaires were given before and after the material to evaluate the increase in knowledge about brain tumors for lay people and health workers in Banyuwangi Regency. The results obtained a significant increase (p < 0.01) between the pre-test and post-test scores so that this community service increases the knowledge of the community in Banyuwangi Regency.

BREAST CANCER SURVIVAL AFTER SURGERY AND OTHER TREATMENTS: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Ismaya Ramadhanti — 2025-09-30

Background: Breast cancer treatment has changed over the years, both surgically and medically. Purpose: This study aims to conduct a literature review on survival in breast cancer patients after undergoing surgery and other treatments. Methods: A literature review was conducted from the databases PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar using the keywords "breast cancer," "surgical treatment" (OR surgery OR treatment option OR preference), and "survival analysis." The articles were identify using PICO approach with the study population were female breast cancer patients undergoing surgical intervention from all age groups and nationalities. The inclusion criteria were articles with free full text access in English and Bahasa with the range of the studies 2019-2024. The exclusion criteria were articles discussing surgical interventions for other type of cancer, breast cancer surgical intervention in male population, and qualitative studies or non-original research. Results: There were 39,299 articles reported in the PRISMA flowchart, 9,049 articles were duplicated articles, and 136 articles were excluded based on PICO. Ten articles were selected and included in this literature review to observe the survival between surgical treatment and other treatment among breast cancer patients. This study indicated differences in survival among breast cancer patients after receiving treatment. The combination of breast cancer surgery (BCS) and radiotherapy showed a better outcome compared to the combination of mastectomy and radiotherapy. Conclusion: Our review shows that survival of breast cancer patients may vary depending on the type of treatment given, hormonal status and cancer severity level.

Back Matter

Rika Yunita — 2025-09-30