Community Willingness to Participate in a Dengue Study in Aceh Province, Indonesia

Background: Dengue virus infection is the most rapidly spreading vector-borne disease in the world. Essential research on dengue virus transmission and its prevention requires community participation. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the factors that are associated with the willingness of communities in high prevalence areas to participate in dengue research. The aim of this study was to explore factors associated with the willingness of healthy community members in Aceh province, Indonesia, to participate in dengue research that would require phlebotomy. Methodology/Principal Findings: A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out in nine regencies and municipalities of Aceh from November 2014 to March 2015. Interviews using a set of validated questionnaires were conducted to collect data on demography, history of dengue infection, socioeconomic status, and knowledge, attitude and practice regarding dengue fever. Two-step logistic regression and Spearman's rank correlation (rs) analysis were used to assess the influence of independent variables on dependent variables. Among 535 participants, less than 20% had a good willingness to participate in the dengue study. The factors associated with good willingness to participate were being female, working as a civil servant, private employee or entrepreneur, having a high socioeconomic status and good knowledge, attitude and practice regarding dengue. Good knowledge and attitude regarding dengue were positive independent predictors of willingness to participate (OR: 2.30 [95% CI: 1.36-3.90] and 3.73 [95% CI: 2.24-6.21], respectively). Conclusion/Significance: The willingness to participate in dengue research is very low among community members in Aceh, and the two most important associated factors are knowledge and attitude regarding dengue. To increase participation rate, efforts to improve the knowledge and attitude of community members regarding dengue fever and dengue-related research is required before such studies are launched

Nitrate pollution in groundwater: a cross-sectional study in three villages in Bachok District, Kelantan, Malaysia during the paddy pre-planting season

Nitrate fertilizer is extensively used to produce healthy crops on a wide scale, and paddy planting is no exception. Nitrate that is not used by plants is able to penetrate the soil and end up in groundwater. This, if not checked, can give rise to health problems including infant methemoglobinaemia, a disease where hemoglobin in erythrocytes are changed into methemoglobin by nitrite which, in turn, makes it unable to transport oxygen to body cells. Nitrite is formed from ingested nitrate that is altered by bacteria present in the infant’s stomach. This cross-sectional study was conducted in February 2019 for 2 weeks’ observation during the paddy pre-planting season, and a total of 149 wells across three villages were sampled for nitrate. Readings were compared to the Drinking Water Quality Standard stated by the Ministry of Health, Malaysia. The maximum acceptable value for nitrate in drinking water is 45 mg/L nitrate (NO3-). The three villages, namely Keting, Kuchelong and Telaga Ara, were chosen as they are located near paddy fields and water from wells were used for drinking and cooking without filtration. It was found that only one (0.67%) of the wells had nitrate above the maximum acceptable value (56.85 mg/L NO3-). This highest value was found in Telaga Ara village and the location of the well was 50m from the nearest paddy fields. In Kuchelong village, the mean nitrate level was 5.10 +0.85 mg/L with a range of 0.73 to 27.10 mg/L. While in Telaga Ara village, the mean nitrate levels was 10.52 +1. 24 mg/L with a range of 1.67 to 56.85 mg/L. Mean nitrate level in Keting village was 5.34 + 4.94 mg/L with a range of 0.40 -23.65 mg/L. In general, nitrate levels were found to be below the maximum acceptable value in the villages concerned and therefore did not pose any health risks to users. Periodic assessment of nitrate in groundwater is still important as to ensure the levels remain below the acceptable value, and in turn, safeguard the health of its users

Menimba Peradaban dari Sekolah di Korea

Buku ini mencoba membahas tentang Kunjungan atau Muhibah ke Korea Selatan yang diadakan pada tanggal 25 Juni – 2 Juli 2022 ini diharapkan dapat menjadi pintu gerbang bagi anak-anakku untuk dapat belajar secara empiris terhadap hal positif yang dimiliki oleh Negeri Ginseng dan mengaktualisasikannya dalam kehidupan di SMA Taruna Nusantara maupun kehidupan bermasyarakat, berbangsa, dan bernegara di Indonesia secara umum. Adapun dengan adanya buku ini diharapkan mampu menjadi dokumentasi yang tak lekang oleh waktu dan dapat menjadi sarana menebar pengalaman berharga bagi seluruh pamong dan siswa SMA Taruna Nusantara maupun masyarakat luas

Public Awareness and Practices Towards Self-Medication with Antibiotics Among Malaysian Population: Questionnaire Development and Pilot Testing

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Student Traveler : Let’s Explore Indonesia

Learning English is a must-have skill, particularly for the millennial generation, which will compete globally with people from all over the world. Mastering English is no longer a choice; it is an unavoidable must. Language, particularly English, serves as a portal to the rest of the world. Reading and writing are essential skills for all students, especially as they strive to become more insightful students who will be fully useful and knowledgeable human beings in the future. As a result, students will have the insight and knowledge necessary to construct and govern this country as future leaders. Writing, in addition to reading, is a requirement for demonstrating students’ linguistic competence. Writing is one of our methods for ensuring the survival and continuance of our information. This book chapter includes information that will help everyone to travel either all around Indonesia or the world