The COVID-19 pandemic affects all aspects of life and might cause stress for vulnerable groups such as mothers with school-age children, both housewives and working mothers. With the uncontrolled circulating information about medications, supplements, and herbs that are believed to treat COVID-19, self-medication and misused might escalate. Therefore, this study aims to determine the consumption of "anti-COVID" agents and the mental health of mothers with school-age children in Indonesia. Methods: Online questionnaires regarding medications/supplements for COVID-19 prevention and treatment of "anti-COVID" consumption behavior and mental health using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS-21) were distributed among Indonesian mothers with school-age children. Data (n = 610) were analyzed; descriptive and association between sociodemographic factors, "anti-COVID" medications consumption, and mental health were presented. Results: A quarter of the respondents were categorized as having mental disorders, with higher scores of DASS-21 was higher in the housewives' group. The incidence associated with age, family expenses, and marital status in the working mothers' group, and only with family expense in the housewives' group. Moreover, the result showed 80% of the respondents consumed "anti-COVID" medications or supplements to prevent COVID-19, with 75% did self-medication without consulting with a healthcare professional. Friends/family and social media were two primary sources of information regarding the "anti-COVID" products. In the housewives' group, their consumption behavior was influenced by education. Meanwhile in the working mothers' group, the consumption behavior was influenced by age, family income, and family expense. In addition, there was no association between the usage of medications/supplements with the respondents' mental health status. Conclusion: This study showed the importance of controlling information and expanding the mother's knowledge to find the correct information to minimize the unwanted effect in the post COVID-19 pandemic. Increasing awareness of mental health issues in the community, especially in the vulnerable population such as mother with school-age children, is necessary to avoid detrimental effects that might occur in the future.
Purpose This study aimed to measure the attitudes of Indonesian medical doctors and students toward new technology in genome editing. Materials and Methods Online questionnaires regarding attitudes toward genome editing on health and non-health conditions, both in somatic cells and embryo, were distributed through researcher networks, email and social media specific to medical doctors and students. The data of 1055 valid questionnaires were processed; descriptive and association analyses between sociodemographic factors and attitudes toward genome editing were performed. Email in-depth interview was performed to explore the respondents’ answers. Results The results showed that Indonesian medical doctors’ and students’ knowledge of genome editing was limited and correlated with gender, place of residence, religion, education, marital status, childbearing and experience abroad. More than half of respondents supported genome editing for the treatment of fatal and debilitating diseases both in somatic cells and embryos, implying their consent to edited gene inheritance. However, this approval decreased when applied to non-health-related aspects, such as physical appearance, intelligence and strength. Factors affecting their attitudes toward genome editing included their status as medical doctors or students, gender, age, education, religion, economic status and place of residence. Conclusion Increasing knowledge and awareness of Indonesian medical doctors and students regarding genome editing is important. Even though its application in health-related matter was supported by a majority of the respondents, discussion from ethical and religious perspectives is necessary to ensure the acceptance.
Background: Increasing dietary supplement (DS) consumption was observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, including during the post-Delta wave period. This study aimed to measure the practice of DS consumption and respondents’ knowledge of DS. Methods: An internet-based survey was distributed from October-December 2021 and obtained 541 valid and completed responses. Descriptive analysis was performed to present the practice of DS consumption, including frequency, duration, aim, preferable dosage form etc. Level of knowledge on DS principles, side effects and regulation were also measured. Inferential analyses were conducted to determine the predictors of the respondents’ DS practice and level of knowledge. Results: Data from 541 valid responses showed that 77.63% of respondents consumed DS in the last 3 months, with only 59.52% reporting also consuming DS before the COVID-19 pandemic. One half of the respondents had good knowledge about DS; however, some knowledge regarding side effects and possible drug-supplement interaction needed improvement. Their DS consumption practice was affected by their economic status and history of contracting COVID-19. Nevertheless, the level of knowledge was not affected by the sociodemographic factors and DS supplement experience. Conclusions: Taken together, the practice of self-consumption of DS in Indonesia is increasing; hence, knowledge of DS is necessary to avoid detrimental effects that might occur in the future. Increasing access to information on better labelling and educating consumers about DS are important actions to consider.
This study aimed to measure supplement consumption behavior and mental health status among Indonesian adults during the second year of COVID-19. Participants and Methods: Online questionnaire regarding supplement consumption, and Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21) was distributed from March to June 2021 and obtained 1006 valid and completed questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted to determine the frequency and predictor factors of the respondents' supplement consumption behavior and mental health status. Results: Respondents were divided into two groups, vulnerable and non-vulnerable individuals. The finding showed that 34.5% respondents were vulnerable individuals, including the elderly and those with comorbid disease(s). The vulnerable and non-vulnerable groups exhibited a high prevalence of supplement consumption, with the vulnerable group demonstrating a greater tendency for regular use. The incidence of mental health problems in both groups did not significantly differ (23-38%), where anxiety was higher than depression and stress. Supplement consumption was associated with mental health status. Several positive predicting factors for supplement consumption behavior included older age, higher economic status, and higher education. While the younger age and unmarried respondents were more likely to develop mental health problems. Conclusion: Taken together, given dietary supplement consumption increased during the pandemic and the potential associations between supplement consumption and mental health, controlling the correct information and regulation regarding supplements, especially their risks and benefits, was important. Additionally, support for mental health issues was necessary, since it might affect self-medication behavior.
COVID-19 pandemic affects all aspects of human life, not only health, but also economic, education, and daily activity. The sudden changes caused a mental burden for the majority of people. Moreover, the infodemic might increase the burden. Unfortunately, not all people aware of their mental health and with the negative stigma from the community lead the patient to hesitate for sharing and seeking help. Therefore, an anonymous online supporting group (www.laluibersama.com) is developed to increase awareness of mental health and provided the facility to share and to support users. This site consists of several basic information and articles regarding COVID-19, emphasizes on pharmacotherapy and mental health issues, sharing forum, and mental health calculator based on depression, anxiety, and stress scales (DASS 21). From the evaluation, 53.61% of users choose mental health calculators as the most favorite page, followed by article (29.90%), homepage (12.37%), and sharing page (4.12%). Most of the respondents agree that the mental health calculator is unique and useful, therefore can be used as a screening of mental health problems prior seeking health professional help. Taken together, mental health needs more attention in this pandemic due to the increasing burden, and the screening of mental health problems and sharing to alleviate the burden can be performed at www.lalui bersama.com. Pandemi COVID-19 memengaruhi semua aspek kehidupan manusia, tidak hanya kesehatan, tetapi juga ekonomi, pendidikan, dan aktivitas sehari-hari. Perubahan mendadak tersebut menyebabkan beban mental bagi sebagian besar orang. Apalagi, badai informasi bisa menambah beban. Sayangnya, tidak semua orang menyadari beban mental mereka, dan memiliki orang untuk berbagi dan peduli. Oleh karena itu, kelompok pendukung online anonim (www.laluibersama.com) dikembangkan untuk meningkatkan kesadaran akan kesehatan mental dan menyediakan fasilitas untuk berbagi dan mendukung antar pengguna. Situs ini terdiri dari beberapa informasi dasar dan artikel mengenai COVID-19 dengan penekanan pada farmakoterapi dan kesehatan mental, forum berbagi, dan kalkulator kesehatan mental berdasarkan skala depresi, kecemasan, dan stres (DASS 21). Dari evaluasi tersebut, 53.61% pengguna memilih kalkulator kesehatan mental sebagai halaman favorit, diikuti oleh artikel (29.90%), homepage (12.37%), dan halaman berbagi (4.12%). Sebagian besar responden setuju bahwa kalkulator kesehatan jiwa itu unik dan valid, oleh karena itu dapat digunakan sebagai skrining masalah kesehatan jiwa. Secara keseluruhan kesehatan jiwa perlu mendapat perhatian lebih dalam menghadapi pandemi ini karena beban yang semakin meningkat, dan pemeriksaan dini masalah kesehatan jiwa dan berbagi kekhawatiran dan pemikiran dapat dilakukan di www.lalui bersama.com.
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