Waste management is an important component of a safe and healthy school environment. Inadequate waste-management infrastructure and educational resources may contribute to environmental and health risks among students. This study aimed to assess students’ perceptions of the school environment and resources available for waste management in public secondary schools in Baiji District, Iraq. A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 427 students selected through a multistage sampling procedure. Data were collected from November 30 to December 21, 2025, using a structured self-administered questionnaire consisting of six items assessing waste-management facilities, educational activities, policies, and human resources. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the findings. Overall, 190 students (44.5%) perceived their school environment and waste-management resources as inadequate, 110 (25.8%) as acceptable, and 127 (29.7%) as adequate. Separate bins for recyclable waste were reported as unavailable by 60.2% of students, while 59.3% reported the absence of posters or signs regarding waste disposal. In contrast, 57.6% reported the presence of a clear school waste-disposal policy, and 57.1% reported that their schools organized cleaning activities or lessons. These findings indicate important gaps in waste-management infrastructure and educational resources in the surveyed schools. Strengthening waste-separation facilities, environmental education materials, school waste-management policies, and coordination with municipal waste services may help improve waste-management practices in secondary schools.
Repeated use of cooking oil by pecel lele vendors may accelerate oil degradation and increase peroxide formation, posing potential health risks. Study aimed to explore vendors’ knowledge and practices regarding reused cooking oil and to describe the peroxide values of oil samples collected around the Universitas Sriwijaya Campus. A qualitative descriptive design with supplementary laboratory analysis was used. Twenty informants were selected purposively, comprising seven vendors, twelve consumers, and one chemistry expert. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, observation, documentation, and laboratory testing. Six reused oil samples were analyzed for peroxide values using the iodometric titration method at BSPJI Palembang. Data validity was ensured through source and method triangulation. Most vendors and consumers understood the general meaning and visible characteristics of reused cooking oil, but none knew the definition, health implications, or permitted limit of peroxide values. Vendors commonly reused oil more than four times, mixed old oil with new oil, used the same oil and wok for different foods, and stored used oil in open containers. Deep-fat frying with high heat and relatively long heating durations was also observed. All six oil samples exceeded the maximum peroxide value of 10 mEq O₂/kg stipulated in SNI 7709:2019, ranging from 14.96 to 2,313.07 mEq O₂/kg. These findings indicate that unsafe oil-reuse and storage practices were common among the participating food vendors and occurred alongside peroxide values above the permitted limit. Practical education, regular oil replacement, filtration, safer storage, and better control of frying duration are recommended to improve food safety
Adolescence is a critical developmental stage marked by increased vulnerability to reproductive health problems. However, evidence remains limited regarding the simultaneous contribution of Andersen’s predisposing, enabling, and need factors, together with adolescent-specific service characteristics and peer support, to the utilization of Adolescent-Friendly Health Services (PKPR) in local primary care settings. This study examined factors associated with PKPR utilization among adolescents in Bone Bolango Regency using Andersen’s Behavioral Model. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024 among 130 adolescents aged 15–19 years with previous primary health center service contact in the catchment areas of four primary health centers through proportional stratified and systematic random sampling. PKPR utilization was determined from primary health center records and categorized as ever or never utilized during the previous 12 months. Data were analyzed using multivariable binary logistic regression. The final model identified knowledge about PKPR (aOR = 3.809; 95% CI: 1.190-12.190), perceived need (aOR = 3.623; 95% CI: 1.299-10.106), provider preference (aOR = 4.646; 95% CI: 1.107-19.507), assessment of facilities (aOR = 3.936; 95% CI: 1.295-11.963), suitability of operating hours (aOR = 13.972; 95% CI: 3.810-51.238), and peer support (aOR = 3.756; 95% CI: 1.305-10.808) as factors independently associated with PKPR utilization. Sociodemographic characteristics and distance were not significantly associated with utilization. These findings support integrated interventions that strengthen adolescent health education, provide private and confidential counseling facilities, adjust service hours to adolescents’ schedules, improve provider responsiveness, and develop peer-supported outreach to increase PKPR utilization.
Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) remains a major public health concern in urban areas due to its increasing incidence and heterogeneous spatial distribution. Most previous studies have focused on either spatial or temporal analyses separately, limiting a comprehensive understanding of dengue dynamics. This study aimed to assess spatial vulnerability and analyze temporal trends in dengue cases in Yogyakarta City, Indonesia. A total of 1,227 confirmed dengue cases reported during 2020–2025 were obtained from the Yogyakarta City Health Office, with villages as the unit of analysis. Spatial vulnerability was assessed using Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), with variable weights derived from Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) analysis. Spatial data were processed in a Geographic Information System (GIS) using overlay techniques, while temporal trends were evaluated using the nonparametric Mann–Kendall trend test. Spatial analysis showed that 69.93% of Yogyakarta City was classified as moderately vulnerable and 10.67% as highly vulnerable, with high-risk areas concentrated in the city center. Population density was the strongest determinant of dengue vulnerability. Mann–Kendall analysis indicated no significant temporal trends across subdistricts, although dengue incidence fluctuated throughout the study period, with a marked increase in 2024. Umbulharjo Subdistrict consistently reported the highest number of dengue cases despite being predominantly classified as having low to moderate vulnerability, suggesting that environmental characteristics alone cannot fully explain dengue transmission in highly urbanized settings. Integrating spatial vulnerability mapping with temporal trend analysis provides a more comprehensive understanding of dengue dynamics and supports evidence-based surveillance, risk-based vector control, and targeted resource allocation for urban dengue prevention.
Adolescent girls' anemia continues to be a significant public health concern despite ongoing iron supplementation and screening programs. Health education may improve knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices pertaining to preventing anemia. The purpose of this study was to assess changes in knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices among adolescent girls following a health education program supported by leaflets and posters. A pre-experimental one-group pretest-posttest study was conducted from May to June 2026 among 100 female participants aged 17-20 years who were active members of Karang Taruna “Tunas Mekar” in Gondangrejo District, Karanganyar Regency, Indonesia. All eligible members were included through total sampling. Participants completed a validated and reliable questionnaire immediately before the intervention and seven days afterward. Paired scores were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and effect sizes were calculated as r = Z/√N. Following the intervention, median knowledge, attitude, and preventive-practice scores increased from 10 (IQR 8-12) to 13 (IQR 12-14), 28 (IQR 25-31) to 33 (IQR 31-36), and 6 (IQR 5-7) to 8 (IQR 7-9), respectively. There were notable variations between the pre-test and post-test results for knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices (all p < 0.001), with moderate effect sizes (r = 0.394-0.411). Short-term improvements in knowledge, attitudes, and self-reported preventive practices were observed following the health education program. These findings suggest that leaflet- and poster-assisted health education may be a practical component of community-based anemia prevention programs; however, long-term efficacy must be confirmed by controlled studies with extended follow-up
Hospitals are highly vulnerable to indoor air pollution, particularly in inpatient rooms where interactions among patients, visitors, and healthcare workers may influence environmental sanitation and infection risk. This study aimed to assess airborne bacterial counts and indoor environmental conditions and to explore their associations in inpatient rooms at I.A. Moeis Regional Public Hospital, Samarinda. An exploratory cross-sectional environmental assessmentwas conducted in 7 rooms selected purposively based on room class and function. Airborne bacteria were measured using the Total Plate Count method, while environmental parameters included temperature, humidity, lighting, occupancy density, disinfection frequency, and ventilation conditions. Data were analyzed using univariate and correlation tests. The mean bacterial count was 317.86 CFU/m³, ranging from 98 to 397 CFU/m³, and no room exceeded the upper reference limit of 500 CFU/m³. The mean temperature was 25.5°C, above the recommended range, while mean humidity was 71% and reached 83%, exceeding the recommended range of 40–60%. Two rooms had lighting below 100 lux, and room-space compliance varied. Disinfection was performed twice daily. No significant associations were observed between bacterial counts and temperature, humidity, lighting, or occupancy density (p > 0.05). These findings should be interpreted cautiously because the small sample size (n = 7) limited statistical power. Hospitals should strengthen routine microbial monitoring, maintain ventilation and air-conditioning systems, assess airflow and air-exchange effectiveness, control temperature and humidity, manage occupancy, and consistently implement disinfection and environmental hygiene practices.
Adolescent overweight is an increasing public health concern in Thailand, driven by rapid lifestyle changes and urbanization. However, gender differences in factors associated with overweight remain insufficiently understood. This study conducted a secondary analysis of data from the 2021 Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS), a nationally representative survey using a stratified two-stage cluster sampling design. A total of 4,510 adolescents aged 13–17 years were included. Data were analyzed using univariate, bivariate, and multivariate logistic regression, and sex stratified analyses were performed to identify factors associated with overweight. Overweight prevalence was highest among boys aged 13 years and girls aged 15–16 years. Among boys, overweight was significantly associated with younger age, food insecurity, and psychosocial distress. Among girls, dietary behaviors, sedentary lifestyle, and parental support showed stronger associations. Insufficient parental monitoring increased the likelihood of overweight in both sexes. Smoking was inversely associated with overweight among boys (OR=0.697, 95% CI: 0.691–0.704) but positively associated among girls (OR=1.236, 95% CI: 1.225–1.247). Overweight girls also reported higher levels of psychosocial problems, including bullying, loneliness, suicidal ideation, and sleep disturbances. Adolescent overweight in Thailand is influenced by multiple determinants that differ by gender. Gender sensitive interventions are needed, focusing on psychosocial well being and food security for boys, and healthy eating, parental involvement, and reduced sedentary behavior for girls to address the growing burden of adolescent overweight.
Discharge planning is a structured, multidisciplinary process designed to support safe transitions from hospital care to home or other continuing care settings. This scoping review aimed to map and synthesize evidence on the relationship between discharge planning interventions, hospital length of stay (LOS), and readmission among hospitalized patients, while identifying contextual factors that may influence intervention effectiveness. The review followed Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and was reported in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Scopus, PubMed, ProQuest, and Google Scholar were searched for studies published between January 2020 and March 2025. Quantitative, qualitative, and quality-improvement studies addressing discharge planning and relevant discharge outcomes were considered. Thirteen studies were included. Most quantitative studies reported favorable effects of structured, multidisciplinary, or individualized discharge planning on hospital LOS, while findings for readmission were more heterogeneous. Ten studies reported reductions in LOS, and eight reported reductions in readmission. Qualitative evidence emphasized the importance of effective communication, discharge readiness, multidisciplinary collaboration, patient and caregiver involvement, and continuity of care during the transition from hospital to home. The effectiveness of discharge planning appeared to vary according to patient characteristics, clinical complexity, intervention components, timing, organizational context, and post-discharge support. Overall, structured and patient-centered discharge planning may improve discharge efficiency and support safer care transitions. Implementation should be individualized according to patient risk and clinical needs, supported by multidisciplinary coordination, active family engagement, and continuity of post-discharge care. Further prospective and implementation studies are needed to identify the most effective discharge planning components across patient populations and healthcare settings
Under universal health coverage (UHC), improving access to services must be accompanied by strengthening service quality, particularly at the primary health care level. Accreditation has been widely adopted as a policy instrument to support quality improvement; however, evidence on its implementation and sustainability in primary health care remains mixed, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Objective: This study aimed to examine the implementation of primary health care accreditation and its implications for service quality under Indonesia’s UHC system. A qualitative descriptive study study was conducted in two fully accredited (Paripurna) primary health care centres (Puskesmas) in an urban setting in Indonesia. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were carried out with 17 participants, including managerial, clinical, and administrative staff, as well as representatives from professional health organisations. Data were analysed using framework-guided thematic analysis informed by the Donabedian model of health care quality. Five key themes were identified. Accreditation contributed to improved structural readiness, including facility organisation and documentation systems, and to greater standardisation of clinical and administrative processes through formalised quality governance. Effective implementation was enabled by leadership commitment, staff training, and professional support. However, accreditation was constrained by human resource limitations, administrative burden, and financial and infrastructural challenges. Sustaining quality improvements beyond accreditation surveys required integration of standards into routine management, continuous quality improvement practices, and the use of digital systems and external collaboration. Primary health care accreditation can support service quality improvement under UHC when effectively implemented and sustained. Its contribution depends on leadership, organisational capacity, and alignment with broader UHC policies. Strengthening these factors may enhance the role of accreditation as a sustainable quality improvement instrument in primary health care.
Thalassemia is a genetic disease that remains a public health problem in Indonesia, with a relatively high prevalence of carriers. Preventive measures through early screening for adolescents, especially those with a family history of thalassemia, are crucial. This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of an educational module on increasing awareness of thalassemia screening among adolescents from families with thalassemia in Tegal City. The study used a quasi-experimental design with a one-group pretest-posttest approach. A sample of 120 adolescents was selected using purposive sampling. The intervention consisted of an educational module on thalassemia for two weeks. Data were collected using a screening awareness questionnaire and analyzed using a paired t-test. The results showed a significant increase in screening awareness scores from before (mean 58.3) to after the intervention (mean 82.7) with a p-value <0.001. The educational module was effective in increasing awareness of thalassemia screening among adolescents. Integration of the educational module into school- and family-based adolescent health programs is recommended.
Tuberkulosis masih menjadi salah satu masalah kesehatan masyarakat di Indonesia (969.000 kasus) terutama di Banten (23.343 kasus). Pada tahun 2023, Kota Tangerang Selatan ditemukan sebanyak 1.107 kasus. Sistem kesehatan yang responsif memiliki peran dalam mengelola penyakit tuberkulosis, seperti mengurangi penyebaran dan meningkatkan hasil pengobatan. Berdasarkan studi pendahuluan di lima puskesmas Kota Tangerang Selatan ditemukan bahwa waktu tunggu yang lama, fasilitas tempat duduk yang kurang memadai dan kurang meratanya pelayanan kunjungan rumah menjadi penyebab masalah responsif pada pelayanan tuberkulosis. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk melihat gambaran Responsiveness pada pelayanan tuberkulosis di puskesmas Kota Tangerang Selatan. Penelitian ini menggunakan deskriptif kuantitatif dengan rancangan cross sectional. Penelitian ini melibatkan 96 pasien tuberkulosis di lima puskesmas di Kota Tangerang Selatan yang dipilih secara cluster random sampling dan purposive sampling. Data dikumpulkan melalui wawancara tatap muka menggunakan kuesioner. Pelayanan tuberkulosis di puskesmas Kota Tangerang Selatan sudah responsif, yang ditunjukan dengan pasien merasa informasi dirahasiakan (92,7%), pasien dilibatkan dalam pengambilan keputusan (90,6%), pasien diberikan pilihan pengobatan (89,6%), petugas ramah (88,5%), komunikasi yang jelas (86,5%), diberikan dukungan tenaga kesehatan (81,3%), kualitas pelayanan bagus (76%) dan waktu tunggu yang cepat (51%). Pelayanan tuberkulosis menunjukan hasil yang responsif, namun waktu tunggu pasien masih menjadi masalah pelayanan tuberkulosis. Oleh karena itu, puskesmas perlu meningkatkan pelayanan yang lebih efisien dengan memperhatikan lama waktu tunggu.
Digitalisasi telah mengubah cara individu memperoleh informasi gizi dan membentuk perilaku makan. Literasi pola makan sehat digital menjadi faktor penting dalam mendukung perilaku makan sehat, khususnya pada mahasiswa kesehatan yang memiliki akses tinggi terhadap informasi digital. Penelitian ini menggunakan desain cross-sectional dengan melibatkan 120 mahasiswa kesehatan di Universitas Indonesia Maju Jakarta, yang dipilih dengan metode purposive sampling. Data dikumpulkan menggunakan kuesioner untuk mengukur literasi pola makan sehat digital dan perilaku pola makan sehat. Analisis data dilakukan secara deskriptif dan bivariat menggunakan uji korelasi Spearman. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan tingkat literasi pola makan sehat digital berada pada kategori sedang hingga cukup baik (mean = 37,28; SD = 4,91), sedangkan perilaku pola makan sehat tergolong sedang (mean = 11,37; SD = 4,19). Hasil analisis menunjukkan terdapat hubungan positif yang signifikan antara literasi pola makan digital dengan perilaku makan sehat (ρ = 0,198; nilai p = 0,03), namun dengan kekuatan hubungan yang sangat lemah. Literasi pola makan sehat digital berhubungan dengan perilaku makan sehat, tetapi kontribusinya relatif kecil. Diperlukan intervensi yang tidak hanya meningkatkan literasi digital, tetapi juga mengintegrasikan strategi perubahan perilaku untuk meningkatkan praktik pola makan sehat secara lebih optimal.
Cervical cancer incidence has been increasing and has become an emerging threat to women’s health particularly in developing countries. Visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) is a cost-effective screening method, however its utilization remains suboptimal. This study aimed to analyze the factors associated with women’s participation in VIA screening. An observational analytic study using a cross-sectional design was conducted among 152 women of reproductive age (30-50 years) in the Pancoran Mas Community Health Center area. Data were analyzed using the Chi-Square test and multiple logistic regression. Bivariate analysis revealed that attitudes, health literacy, perceived health belief model components (susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers and self-efficacy), access to health services, support (from husband, families and community health workers) were significantly associated with VIA testing (p < 0.05). A multivariate analysis identified three significant factors: health literacy (OR = 11.203; 95% CI = 3.079-40.763), perceived susceptibility (OR = 3.943; 95% CI = 1.090-14.265), and perceived barriers (OR = 4.466; 95% CI = 1.358-14.687). Health literacy is the most dominant factor associated with VIA screening behavior. Notably, women with adequate health literacy were 11 times more likely to participate in screening. Enhancing screening participation can be achieved by fostering adequate health literacy through optimized health promotion targeting women of reproductive age. This strategy involves the distribution of educational media, such as informative leaflets and posters within the community health center area.
Stunting remains a major public health problem in Indonesia, including in Banyuasin Regency, which is a priority area for stunting prevention. Sungai Gerong Village in Banyuasin I District reports a relatively high prevalence of stunting among children under five. This study aimed to explore the determinants of stunting in this village. A qualitative descriptive design was employed to examine behavioral and environmental factors contributing to stunting. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 10 key informants, including four health workers and community leaders and six mothers of stunted toddlers. The study explored environmental conditions, child feeding practices, parenting patterns, and household food security. Dietary intake was assessed using a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), and household food security was measured using the Food Consumption Score (FCS).The findings revealed that most toddlers lived in inadequate environmental conditions and consumed predominantly high-carbohydrate diets with low intake of vegetables and animal protein. Three households were classified as food insecure. Parenting practices were suboptimal, particularly regarding appropriate feeding practices and cognitive stimulation. Poor sanitation, limited dietary diversity, inadequate caregiving practices, and restricted household food access were identified as key contributing factors.These findings suggest that stunting in Sungai Gerong Village is driven by multidimensional factors requiring integrated interventions. Policy and practical efforts should focus on strengthening nutrition education for caregivers, improving sanitation infrastructure, enhancing access to diverse and affordable nutritious foods, and reinforcing community-based nutrition services. Cross-sectoral collaboration is essential to sustainably reduce stunting prevalence in this area.
Indonesia is the second-largest contributor to global tuberculosis (TB) casesin 2023. Tuberculosis in children can significantly affect a child's nutritional status and growth and development. This study aimed to examine the association between sociodemographic factors and return visits among pediatric TB patients to primary health care facilities in DKI Jakarta Province. This study utilized secondary data obtained from the Indonesian Health Insurance Agency (BPJS Kesehatan) for the years 2021-2022. The sample consisted of BPJS Kesehatan participants aged ≤18 years who had been diagnosed with TB (ICD-10 A15, A16, A17, A18, and A19), had active BPJS Kesehatan membership status, and had visited an primary health care in 2021. After weighting, the sample size was 6,729 participants. The independent variables were age group, place of residence, gender, participant segmentation, and BPJS Kesehatan class. The primary outcome variable was return to visit (identifying whether patients who visited a primary healthcare facility in 2021 returned to the primary care in 2022 for a follow-up or control visit). Analysis using logistic regression. The results showed that of the 6,729 pediatric patients, 5,648 (83.9%) still had TB in 2022. Statistical analysis revealed that sociodemographic factors age category, gender, place of residence, and BPJS care class significantly correlate with return visit childhood TB in Jakarta. The results of this study are expected to serve as a basis for developing policies for the prevention and early detection of TB in children within families and communities.
HPV vaccination is a highly effective strategy for reducing the burden of cervical cancer in Indonesia. However, its uptake among adolescents remains limited due to low parental awareness and socioeconomic disparities. This review aims to identify key determinants influencing parental acceptance or hesitancy toward HPV vaccination, providing evidence to optimize national vaccination strategies for adolescents. This PRISMA-guided systematic review included original open-access studies published between 2015 and 2025, examining determinants of parental acceptance regarding HPV vaccination among Indonesian adolescents aged 9-15 years. Predefined Boolean terms were used to identify relevant articles retrieved from Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Garuda, yielding 14 studies that met the eligibility criteria and were included in the final analysis. Parental willingness and acceptance of HPV vaccination in Indonesia are influenced by individual knowledge and attitudes, social and normative pressures, economic constraints, health literacy, and the role of healthcare providers. Higher levels of knowledge, positive attitudes, supportive social norms, and access to trusted health information promote acceptance, whereas safety concerns, perceptions of the child’s age, and low-income act as significant barriers. Strengthening free school-based programs and integrating vaccination within the existing reproductive health services emerges as a solution to increase parental acceptance towards HPV vaccination among their adolescents.
Indonesia continues to implement HIV prevention programs, but public knowledge about HIV remains uneven. Understanding the factors that influence knowledge about HIV is crucial for designing effective education and prevention strategies. This study aims to analyze the relationship between gender, age, and education level with HIV knowledge t among people in East Java. A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted among 5,284 respondents. Data were collected through an online survey using a structured questionnaire, distributed via social media platforms and health facility networks. HIV knowledge was assessed using a set of structured questions designed to measure respondents’ understanding of HIV transmission and prevention. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess the relationship between sociodemographic variables and knowledge about HIV. Educational level was the strongest predictor of HIV knowledge. Respondents with higher education were more than 18 times more likely to have high HIV knowledge than those without formal education (OR = 18.537, p = 0.006). Women were significantly less likely than men to have high HIV knowledge (OR = 0.663, p < 0.001). Participants aged 12–25 years were significantly less likely to report HIV prevention behaviour compared with those aged >60 years (OR = 0.640, p = 0.031). Sociodemographic factors significantly influence HIV knowledge in East Java. Strengthening school-based and community-level HIV education is crucial to reducing knowledge gaps and supporting prevention efforts.
Childhood stunting remains a major public health problem in rural Indonesia, where inadequate maternal nutrition knowledge and suboptimal child feeding practices are prevalent. A case–control study was conducted among 210 mothers of children aged 24–59 months in Banyuasin Regency, South Sumatra, including 105 stunted and 105 non-stunted children. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using validated questionnaires to assess maternal nutrition knowledge and supplementary feeding practices. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Children whose mothers had good nutrition knowledge were less likely to be stunted (AOR = 0.458; 95% CI: 0.250–0.838; p = 0.014). Similarly, appropriate supplementary feeding practices were associated with lower odds of stunting (AOR = 0.486; 95% CI: 0.266–0.885; p = 0.019). Child’s sex and birth weight were not significantly associated with stunting. Maternal nutrition knowledge and appropriate feeding practices were independently associated with lower odds of childhood stunting in rural Indonesia. Strengthening maternal education and feeding support may contribute to effort to reduce stunting in rural settings.
Hypertension remains a major public health problem in Indonesia. Many patients fail to adhere to dietary recommendations despite increasing access to health information, indicating a gap between information exposure and dietary behavior. This study aimed to examine the influence of health information access and family support on health literacy and dietary adherence among hypertensive patients in Lumajang Regency. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 227 hypertensive patients aged 17–65 years recruited from four primary healthcare centers using probability sampling. Health information access was measured using the Health Information National Trends Survey, health literacy using the Health Literacy Survey – European Union Questioners version Indonesia (HLS-EU-Q12 ID), dietary adherence using the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Questionnaire, and family support was also assessed. Data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results showed that greater access to health information was associated with higher health literacy (β=0.150, p=0.035), but with a lower likelihood of dietary adherence (β = −0.251, p < 0.001). Family support increased the likelihood of higher health literacy (β = 0.241, p < 0.001) and better dietary adherence (β = 0.135, p = 0.038), while higher health literacy substantially increased the likelihood of dietary adherence (β = 0.277, p < 0.001). These findings indicate that increased exposure to health information does not automatically lead to healthier dietary behavior. Family support plays a crucial role in translating health knowledge into practice, highlighting the importance of family involvement and practical, easy-to-understand health information to improve dietary adherence among rural hypertensive patients in rural areas.
HIV/AIDS remains a significant global health challenge, particularly in maintaining the quality of life of affected individuals across physical, psychological, social, and environmental dimensions. In Banda Aceh City, the number of HIV/AIDS cases increased from 102 in 2022 to 149 in 2024, highlighting the need to address mental health aspects that are often overlooked. This study aimed to examine the factors associated with the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS, with mental health considered as a mediating variable. A quantitative cross-sectional study design was employed involving 115 respondents. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using Smart PLS 3 for path analysis. The findings indicate that knowledge, treatment adherence, and stigma do not have a significant direct effect on quality of life. However, psychosocial factors influence quality of life indirectly through mental health. The structural model produced an R-square of 0.974, indicating that 97.4% of the variance in quality of life is explained by the proposed model. These results emphasize how crucial it is to improve mental health therapies and psychosocial support in order to enhance the quality of life for individuals living with HIV/AIDS. health services, communities, and healthcare providers are encouraged to work together in order to provide comprehensive and supportive care.
