Abstract Background Indonesia, as an upper-middle-income country, is undergoing a nutrition transition. The persistent problem of undernutrition is now accompanied by rising overnutrition, creating a double burden of malnutrition. The Human Development Index (HDI) that measures socio-economic development, has shown steady improvements in Indonesia, yet nutritional disparities remain across provinces with varying HDI levels. Objective/Purpose This study aims to map the relationship between HDI and nutritional status by analyzing the prevalence of stunting, wasting, underweight, and overweight across different HDI categories and provinces in Indonesia. Additionally, this study explores the determinants of malnutrition to provide a deeper understanding of the factors influencing child nutrition status. Methods This ecological study used 2023 provincial-level data from the Indonesian Health Survey (SKI) and the Human Development Index (HDI) published by the Central Bureau of Statistics. Nutritional indicators (stunting, underweight, wasting, and overweight) were analyzed in relation to HDI and other determinants. Spearman’s correlation and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for statistical analysis. Spatial patterns were visualized through GIS mapping to explore geographic relationships between HDI levels and nutritional status. Results Correlational analysis showed that Medium HDI provinces had significantly higher rates of undernutrition than High-Very High HDI provinces and were significantly correlated with low birth weight, exclusive breastfeeding, proper IYCF, adequate micronutrient consumption, proper handwashing, proper sanitation, complete basic immunization, complete compulsory education, and HDI. Conclusion This study highlights the complex relationship between HDI and nutritional status, emphasizing the need for region-specific interventions. While improving HDI can help to reduce undernutrition, rising overweight prevalence requires targeted public health strategies. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers to design holistic, multi-dimensional approaches to combat malnutrition in Indonesia.
Clinical Pathology Laboratories require equipment for incubating samples and chemical reagents at temperatures between 25°C and 45°C. Commonly used waterbaths have limitations including contamination risk, temperature inaccuracy, and lack of incubation time display. Additionally, non-standard incubation practices such as holding test tubes in hands are often performed, reducing test result precision. This study aimed to design and build a drybath incubator for chemical test tubes with a fuzzy logic-based temperature control system and integrated timer. The system employs a hollow aluminum block, cartridge heater, waterproof DS18B20 temperature sensor, Arduino Mega microcontroller, and a 3.5-inch TFT LCD touchscreen. The fuzzy logic controller regulates temperature from 25°C to 45°C. Testing included accuracy, stability, temperature distribution uniformity, and timer precision tests across 25 holes (20 holes Ø 1.25 cm and 5 holes Ø 1.5 cm). Results showed temperature accuracy of 99.99%–100.00%, temperature stability with fluctuations below ±0.4°C, uniform temperature distribution with 99.98%–100.00% accuracy, and timer accuracy of 99.994%. The system proved capable of replacing waterbaths as incubators for chemical reactions in clinical pathology laboratories.
Anemia in pregnancy remains a major public health concern due to its adverse effects on maternal and fetal outcomes. Nutritional inadequacy and poor adherence to iron–folic acid (IFA) supplementation are key contributors to anemia among pregnant women in Indonesia. This study aimed to determine the association between nutritional adequacy levels and IFA tablet consumption with anemia incidence in pregnant women. A cross-sectional study was conducted from July to August 2024 at Pulo Armyn Public Health Center, Bogor City, involving 86 pregnant women in their first and second trimesters selected through purposive random sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and 2×24-hour dietary recalls, while hemoglobin levels were obtained from medical records. Statistical analysis employed the Spearman rank correlation test. The results showed no significant association between macronutrient (energy, protein, fat, carbohydrate) and micronutrient (calcium, folate, iron, vitamin C) adequacy levels with anemia incidence (p > 0.05). However, a significant negative correlation was found between adherence to IFA tablet consumption and anemia incidence (p = 0.004; r = –0.311). Pregnant women with good adherence to IFA supplementation exhibited lower anemia prevalence compared to those with poor adherence. These findings underscore the importance of improving adherence to IFA supplementation alongside efforts to enhance dietary quality as part of comprehensive anemia prevention strategies in maternal health programs.
Lower back and pelvic pain are common complaints among pregnant women, particularly in the third trimester, due to physiological and hormonal changes. These discomforts significantly impact daily functioning and quality of life. To evaluate the effectiveness of a modified pregnancy support belt in reducing lower back and pelvic pain among pregnant women in the South Jakarta area. This quasi-experimental study involved 60 pregnant women in their third trimester, divided into two groups: an intervention group and a control group. The intervention group used the modified pregnancy support belt, while the control group used a standard pregnancy belt. Pain levels were measured before and after the intervention using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Sociodemographic characteristics, including age, education, occupation, and parity, were also analyzed. Most respondents were aged 20–35 years, housewives, and high school graduates. The mean reduction in VAS scores was 3.1 (95% CI: 2.6–3.6) in the intervention group compared to 2.3 (95% CI: 1.5–3.1) in the control group. Back and pelvic pain were associated with a measurable decrease post-intervention (p < 0.05). The use of a modified pregnancy support belt demonstrated a greater reduction in lower back and pelvic pain compared to a standard belt. Supportive belts should be considered as a non-pharmacological intervention to enhance maternal comfort and well-being during pregnancy.
