Althea Medical Journal
Althea Medical Journal (AMJ) is a peer reviewed electronic scientific publication journal which is published every 3 months (March, June, September, and December). Althea Medical Journal publishes articles related to research in biomedical sciences, clinical medicine, family-community medicine, and public health.
Articles
1,068 Documents
<![CDATA[Knowledge and Intention to Use Personal Protective Equipment among Health Care Workers to Prevent Tuberculosis ]]>
<![CDATA[Hasanah Hasanah]]>;
<![CDATA[Elsa Pudji Setiawati]]>;
<![CDATA[Lika Apriani]]>
<![CDATA[ Althea Medical Journal Vol 3, No 1 (2016) ]]>
Publisher : <![CDATA[Faculty of Medicine Universitas Padjadjaran ]]>
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<![CDATA[Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the main world health problems. Indonesia has the fourth highest incidence in the world. Tuberculosis is very infectious, but it can be prevented in high risk group such as health care worker by using personal protective equipment (PPE). This study aimed to reveal knowledge and intention to use PPE among health care worker to prevent TB transmission in Public Health Center (Pusat Kesehatan Masyarakat, Puskesmas) in Bandung.Methods: Descriptive study was conducted from September to October 2014 in 15 Puskesmas in Bandung. Those 15 Puskesmas had been reported as having the highest incidence in TB cases. Ninety seven health care workers were assessed using questionnaire. Samples were obtained using purposive sampling method. Data were collected and analyzed for frequency and proportion.Results: Among 97 health care workers, 76 (78.4%) had good knowledge, 16 (16.5%) had sufficient knowledge, and 5 (5.2%) had poor knowledge. Based on intention of PPE usage among health care workers, it was found that 41.2% had positive intention and 58.8% had negative intention.Conclusions: Most of health care workers have good knowledge about TB transmission, however, intentions to use PPE are low. [AMJ.2016;3(1):120–5]DOI: 10.15850/amj.v3n1.713]]>
<![CDATA[Severity of Allergic Rhinitis and Body Mass Index: Is There Any Correlation? ]]>
<![CDATA[Gomathi Paramasivam]]>;
<![CDATA[Fifi Veronica]]>;
<![CDATA[Yovi Yoanita]]>
<![CDATA[ Althea Medical Journal Vol 4, No 1 (2017) ]]>
Publisher : <![CDATA[Faculty of Medicine Universitas Padjadjaran ]]>
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<![CDATA[Background: Allergic rhinitis is the inflammation of the nasal mucosa. It will be resulting in nasal itching, sneezing, discharge, or blockage which occurs for more than an hour on most days. Allergens such as plant pollens, fungi, animal allergens, and dust mites are the factors which initiate allergic rhinitis. There are many risk factors for allergic rhinitis, such as family history of atopic disease, asthma, age, gender and others. Besides, overweight is also considered one of the risk factors for developing allergic rhinitis. Thus, this study was conducted to investigate the correlation between allergic rhinitis and body mass index.Methods: This study involved a cross-sectional analytic study. Seventy three respondents both male and female medical students of Universitas Padjadjaran completed a questionnaire, and had their height and weight measured by a trained researcher. This study was carried out from September to October 2015. Statistical analyses were performed included the Rank Spearman test.Results: There was no significant relationship between allergic rhinitis and body mass index.Conclusions: There is no correlation between severity of allergic rhinitis and body mass index. [AMJ.2017;4(1):20–4]DOI: 10.15850/amj.v4n1.1018]]>
<![CDATA[Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Detection from the Hands of Jatinangor Community Health Center’s Health Care Providers ]]>
<![CDATA[Jeevanisha Patmanathan]]>;
<![CDATA[Sunarjati Sudigdoadi]]>;
<![CDATA[Ricky Adriansjah]]>
<![CDATA[ Althea Medical Journal Vol 2, No 2 (2015) ]]>
Publisher : <![CDATA[Faculty of Medicine Universitas Padjadjaran ]]>
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<![CDATA[Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is a bacterium that is resistance towards β-lactam antibiotics, and it seems to be one of the leading causes of nosocomial infections. Hands of the health care workers are said to be the main source for the nosocomial transmission. Thus, the study aims to determine methicillin-resistant S. aureus from the hands of Jatinangor Community Health Center’s health care workers.Methods: Samples were taken from the hands of 30 Jatinangor Community Health Center’s staffs, including medical and paramedical; from October 2012 to November 2012. Then, these samples underwent further laboratory examinations, starting from culture, identification and susceptibility test towards cefoxitin, in identifying methicillin-resistant S. aureus.Results: Out of the 30 samples taken, 6 samples (20%) were positive for S. aureus isolates. In which, 4 (13.33%) of the samples were positive for methicillin-resistant S. aureus.Conclusions: Since, health care workers are the main people in contact with patients and maintaining proper hand hygiene makes a huge difference; hand hygiene should be given adequate attention for the benefit of all. [AMJ.2015;2(1):217–20]]]>
<![CDATA[Cyanosis as Mortality Risk among Children with Severe Pneumonia ]]>
<![CDATA[Herza Fadlinda]]>;
<![CDATA[Adi Utomo]]>;
<![CDATA[Henni Djuhaeni]]>
<![CDATA[ Althea Medical Journal Vol 3, No 2 (2016) ]]>
Publisher : <![CDATA[Faculty of Medicine Universitas Padjadjaran ]]>
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<![CDATA[Background: Pneumonia is the second leading cause of infant death in Indonesia. The mortality of pneumonia in children is associated with cyanosis, malnutrition, and age less than 4 months. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between cyanosis, malnutrition, and age less than 4 months with the mortality of infant patients with severe pneumonia at Dr Hasan Sadikin General hospital.Methods: A case-control study has been conducted using medical records of 80 patients with pneumonia at Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, period January 2007 to December 2013. The inclusion criteria were medical records consisting of information about infants with severe pneumonia, without comorbid diagnoses, who died during hospitalization. While controls were infants who have been discharged from hospital. The independent variables of this study were cyanosis, malnutrition, and age less than 4 months, while the dependent variable was the mortality. Data were analyzed by using univariate and bivariate analysis.Results: The study reported that only cyanosis was associated with mortality. Malnutrition and age less than 4 months were not associated with mortality.Conclusions: Cyanosis is known to be the only factor that has affected the mortality of infants with pneumonia who are hospitalized at Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital. [AMJ.2016;3(2):186–9]DOI: 10.15850/amj.v3n2.799]]>
<![CDATA[Correlation between Heredity Factor and Menarcheal Age among Adolescent Aged 9–15 Years Old ]]>
<![CDATA[Nurul Khotimah]]>;
<![CDATA[R.M. Ryadi Fadil]]>;
<![CDATA[Haryono Tansah]]>
<![CDATA[ Althea Medical Journal Vol 4, No 2 (2017) ]]>
Publisher : <![CDATA[Faculty of Medicine Universitas Padjadjaran ]]>
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DOI: 10.15850/amj.v4n2.1081
<![CDATA[Background: Menarche is a sign of maturity of the female reproductive function. It is influenced by many factors, such as heredity, general health status, nutrition, and socioeconomic status. The purpose of this study is to determine the correlation of heredity and menarcheal age.Methods:This study was a cross-sectional analytic study conducted from September–October 2014 in Bandung using a multi-stage sampling technique and it was conducted in twelve elementary schools and junior high schools. A total of 123 subjects were included in this study. The instrument of this study was questionnaire containing menarcheal age of subject, older sister, biological mother, and maternal grandmother. The data were analyzed using Spearman correlation and linear regression test with the level of significance was determined at p<0.05. Results: Among 123 data, the majority of subjects had experienced menarche at the age of 11 (39%) and 12 years (36.6%) with an average of 11.46 years old. Based on the Spearman correlation and multiple linear regression tests, there was a correlation between heredity and menarcheal age. (P=0.00).Conclusions: There is a correlation between heredity and menarcheal age, with the highest correlation is between subject’s and older sister’s menarcheal age. DOI: 10.15850/amj.v4n2.1081]]>
<![CDATA[Physical Fitness of Cleaners in Faculty of Medicine Universitas Padjadjaran, November 2012 ]]>
<![CDATA[Adi Wibisono Sulistijo]]>;
<![CDATA[Ambrosius Purba]]>;
<![CDATA[Tri Damiati Pandji]]>
<![CDATA[ Althea Medical Journal Vol 2, No 3 (2015) ]]>
Publisher : <![CDATA[Faculty of Medicine Universitas Padjadjaran ]]>
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<![CDATA[Background: Cleaning is an occupation that is carried out worldwide in many different environments. Cleaning workers (cleaners) often have low occupational skills and belong to the less advantaged educational and socioeconomic groups. Because of the high physical work demands and low cardiorespiratory fitness, cleaners have the risk to have cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to measure the 5 components of physical fitness (cardiorespiratory endurance, muscle endurance, muscle strength, flexibility and body composition) of cleaners in Faculty of Medicine Universitas Padjadjaran.Methods: A descriptive study was carried out to all cleaners (31 persons) of Faculty of Medicine Universitas Padjadjaran in November 2012. The subjects were tested for cardiorespiratory endurance, muscle endurance, muscle strength, flexibility and body composition. The results were categorized using the standard of Ministry of Health Republic Indonesia.Results: From 31 subjects, cardiorespiratory endurance was in poor category (50%). Shoulder and hand muscle endurance was in poor category (54.8%) and stomach muscle endurance was in very poor category (67.7%). Hand−grip muscular strength was in very poor category: right hand (80.7%) and left hand (87.1%). Back muscle strength was in poor category (58.1%). Leg muscular strength was in very poor category (48.4%). Flexibility was in a very good category (97%) and body composition was also in a good category (54.8%).Conclusions: From 5 components of cleaners’ physical fitness, 3 components (cardiorespiratory endurance, muscle endurance and muscular strength) are in poor and very poor category. DOI: 10.15850/amj.v2n3.504]]>
<![CDATA[Comparison of Tissue Preservation using Formalin and Ethanol as Preservative Formula ]]>
<![CDATA[See Woan Shian]]>;
<![CDATA[Arifin Soenggono]]>;
<![CDATA[Sawkar Vijay Pramod]]>
<![CDATA[ Althea Medical Journal Vol 3, No 3 (2016) ]]>
Publisher : <![CDATA[Faculty of Medicine Universitas Padjadjaran ]]>
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<![CDATA[Background: Tissue preservation can be performed through embalming, by providing the chemical embalming fluid to the human remains. Formalin’s preservative formula is the foundation for modern methods of embalming. Unfortunately, this preservative formula has several disadvantages. While Ethanol’s preservative formula is a considerable agent to replace formalin’s preservative formula. The aim of this study was to compare the tissue preservation using formalin and ethanol as preservative formula.Methods: This study was carried out from September–October 2014 in the Laboratory of the Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran. The study used the laboratory experimental method with consecutive sampling of 16 Wistar Rats. Thirty two soleus muscles and thirty two colons were collected and divided into two groups. Each group consisted of 16 soleus muscles and 16 colons. Group 1 was preserved with formalin’s preservative formula and Group 2 was preserved with ethanol’s preservative formula. The two groups were preserved for six weeks. The tissue’s color, consistency, odor and the growth of bacteria were determined before and after treatment.Results: Tissues preserved with ethanol’s preservative formula had better tissue preservation in the aspect of color and odor, compared with formalin’s preservative formula. Both preservative formulas showed no growth of bacteria in tissues but failed to retain the consistency. All the data were analyzed with Chi-square test.Conclusions: Ethanol’s preservative formula preserves better quality of tissue compared to formalin’s preservative formula. [AMJ.2016;3(3):359–63] DOI: 10.15850/amj.v3n3.880 ]]>
<![CDATA[Breakfast Composition in Junior High School Students ]]>
<![CDATA[Sheila Devi]]>;
<![CDATA[Aly Diana]]>;
<![CDATA[Setiawan Setiawan]]>
<![CDATA[ Althea Medical Journal Vol 2, No 4 (2015) ]]>
Publisher : <![CDATA[Faculty of Medicine Universitas Padjadjaran ]]>
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<![CDATA[Background: Adolescence is a time of rapid development that requires higher nutrient intake levels than in adulthood. However the habit of skipping breakfast has become very popular among adolescents. Skipping breakfast has negative effects such as difficulty in concentrating, growth impairment and decrease academic performance. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify the breakfast composisition of early adolescents in Jatinangor, Sumedang, Indonesia.Methods: A cross sectional study with non-probability sampling method, was conducted in a junior high school Jatinangor during the month of July 2013. Ninety six participants were included in this study. All the participants underwent an interview about the food intake for breakfast in seven days using eating pattern recall guidelines.Results: Overall, 37% of the respondents skipped breakfast. The mean of total calories among the adolescents who consumed breakfast was 286.06 (187.89) kcal. The amount of carbohydrate, fat and protein consumed was 29.23 (19.93) gram, 13.93 (13.29) gram and 8.78 (6.11) gram accordingly. The main reason for adolescent to skip breakfast was lack of time.Conclusions: Majority of the respondents have their breakfast before they go to school. Overall, the total calories comsumed is sufficient however the amount of protein consumed is low. [AMJ.2015;2(4):525–8] DOI: 10.15850/amj.v2n4.637]]>
<![CDATA[Clinical Characteristics and Side Effects of Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis Therapy at Top Referral Hospital West Java Indonesia ]]>
<![CDATA[Rika Nurlaily Rahmawati]]>;
<![CDATA[Emmy Hermiyanti Pranggono]]>;
<![CDATA[Rovina Ruslami]]>
<![CDATA[ Althea Medical Journal Vol 3, No 4 (2016) ]]>
Publisher : <![CDATA[Faculty of Medicine Universitas Padjadjaran ]]>
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<![CDATA[Background: The efficacy of multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) therapy is still being questioned. It has lesser quality, longer duration therapy and high toxicity level. This study was conducted to identify clinical characteristics and side effect of MDR TB therapy at Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia as the top referral hospital in West Java. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was performed to 142 medical records of MDR TB inpatient and outpatient at Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital from January 2012–July 2013. Data was collected on October–November 2013. Data about clinical characteristics and side effects of MDR TB therapy were collected and was analyzed in the form of percentage.Results: From 142 patients, 96% had history of tuberculosis therapy. Eighty (56%) of them had positive acid fast bacilli (AFB) sputum that still remained after 5th month or more with category 2. Seventy (49%) patients used combination of pyrazinamide, capreomycin, levofloxacin, ethionamide and cycloserine (Pz-Cm-Lfx-Eto-Cs). All patients experienced side effects during therapy and the majority of them (91%) had gastroenteropathy and rheumatism. Tentamen suicide was detected in one patient. Conclusions: The MDR TB patients had history of tuberculosis therapy. The majority of patients used combination of Pz-Cm-Lfx-Eto-Cs. All patients experienced side effects during MDR TB therapy. [AMJ.2016;3(4):526–32]]]>
<![CDATA[Profile of Handgrip Strength, Anthropometry, Nutritional Status and Activities of Daily Living Among Geriatrics at Karitas Nursing Home, Bandung ]]>
<![CDATA[Thawaneswaaran Rajendran]]>;
<![CDATA[Novitri Novitri]]>;
<![CDATA[Yuni Susanti Pratiwi]]>
<![CDATA[ Althea Medical Journal Vol 2, No 1 (2015) ]]>
Publisher : <![CDATA[Faculty of Medicine Universitas Padjadjaran ]]>
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<![CDATA[ Background: Reduced handgrip strength is an aging process that influences the activities of daily living among elderly people. Handgrip strength varies greatly with age, gender, anthropometric measurement and nutritional status. This study aimed to determine the profile of handgrip muscle strength, physical characteristic, nutritional assessment and activities of daily living among elderly Methods: This study was conducted at Karitas nursing home, Bandung on September 2012. This is a descriptive study by collecting primary data from 28 elderly people. Data were collected in 2 days within 2 weeks. The first data collection included details of anthropometric measurement and handgrip measurement. The second data collection included face to face interview using standardized questionnaire for mini nutritional assessment and Barthel index.Result: The mean age of the respondents was 74.14 ± 8.5189 years. The average reading on handgrip muscle strength was 30.84 ± 12.0175 lbs for right hand and 27.77 ± 11.3778 lbs for left hand. For anthropometric measurement, most of the respondents had normal weight body mass index status (39.3%). Nutritional status of respondents evaluated by mini nutritional assessment showed that most of the respondents were at risk of malnutrition (64.3%). The activities of daily living assessment based Barthel Index showed that half of the respondents were dependent in activities of daily living (50%).Conclusions: From this study, it can be concluded that the grip strength of all the respondents are weaker. Majority have normal body weight, malnutrition risk, and half of the subjects are depend on others in doing their daily activities.Keywords: Activities of daily living, anthropometry, elderly, handgrip strength, nutritional status DOI: 10.15850/amj.v2n1.423 ]]>
