ABSTRACT
Background: Older adults are vulnerable to disease exposure because of the agerelated decrease in immune capacity. Older adults with macronutrient and micronutrient deficiencies may have poor nutritional status and low immune responses, making them prone to COVID-19 infection.Objective: This study aimed to assess the effect of orange almond potato cookie supplementation on weight, hemoglobin, and albumin levels in undernourished older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: A quasi-experimental study design was utilized in a cohort of 31 older adults. The subjects consumed 50 grams of cookies per day for 4 weeks. The examination was performed to assess the hemoglobin and albumin levels at pre- and post-study timepoints. Education about balanced nutrition and anemia was provided throughout the study using leaflets, flipcharts, and videos. The subjects were weighed weekly to assess compliance;cookies were distributed, and a daily food consumption record was collected three times a week during home visits.Results: Weight, hemoglobin, and albumin levels increased by 0.4 kg, 0.1 points, and 1 point, respectively. The difference was significant for weight, albeit nonsignificant for hemoglobin and albumin levels. At the end of the study, participants' knowledge regarding balanced nutrition and anemia was statistically significantly different, as well as that of energy, carbohydrate, protein, fat, vitamin C, and iron intake. Weight gain was found to be influenced by the total cookie consumption (p < 0.035).Conclusion: Orange almond potato cookies increased the undernourished older adults' weight when consumed for 4 weeks.
ABSTRACT
One of the efforts of tackling COVID-19 is through the social, economic, and cultural resilience approach and the discipline of the Government of North Sumatera Province. This study aimed to explore the experience of the North Sumatra Province in tackling the COVID-19 from the aspect of social, economic, and cultural resilience and the firmness of the government in coordinating with various parties in the management COVID-19. The qualitative study conducted an in-depth interview with the BPBD and Provincial Health Office of North Sumatera Province. The study showed that North Sumatera had developed the regional potential to improve the economy and small medium enterprises during pandemic. Several activities such as a budget allocation for labor-intensive business and industrial programs, strengthening the real sector and small medium enterprises, and developing Budikdamber program and Kampung Paten to strengthen food security, support economic growth, and reduce inflation. Discipline and firmness in coordination between parties such as inter-provincial border closure;assistance in social and health sector;control and enforcement of discipline on health protocols;socialization, simulation, and education on COVID-19. Synergy to build strength together to carry out health protocols and the spirit in revitalizing the local economy determine the success of North Sumatera Province in managing COVID-19.
ABSTRACT
Most undernourished preschool-aged children have low hemoglobin and albumin levels, which leads to a higher risk of infections, including COVID-19. This study was designed to determine whether potato almond orange cookies increase weight, hemoglobin, and albumin) in undernourished preschool-aged children during the COVID-19 pandemic. A pre-post intervention study was conducted with 30 subjects during 8 weeks in which hemoglobin and albumin levels were recorded at the beginning and end. Education on balanced nutrition was provided to mothers using leaflets, flipcharts, and videos. The results showed increases in weight (0.4 kg), height (1.98 cm), hemoglobin level (0.1 g/dL), and albumin level (0.1 g/dL) accompanied by a significant increase in weight, height, and the Z-score index for weight for age, whereas those for Hb and albumin levels were not. Energy, carbohydrate, fat, vitamin C, vitamin E, and iron intake increased significantly. Further, there was a significant difference in mothers' knowledge of balanced nutrition and COVID-19 at the end of the study. Thus, high levels of cookie consumption increased the weight of underweight preschool-aged children. Future studies may wish to consider examining the issue using stunted, wasted, and anemic preschool-aged children as the research subjects.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Citrus sinensis , Malnutrition , Prunus dulcis , Solanum tuberosum , Albumins , COVID-19/epidemiology , Child , Child, Preschool , Dietary Supplements , Female , Hemoglobins , Humans , Nutritional Status , Pandemics , Thinness/epidemiologyABSTRACT
The increase in positive cases of COVID-19 in Indonesia since 2020 has led to various control measures including prevention. One of them is through cultural approach and local wisdom that differs from one region to another such as the one applied in Bali Province. The purpose of the study was to explore Bali’s experience in dealing with COVID-19 from the perspective of culture and local wisdom. A qualitative approach was used in this study using in-depth interviews with the Bali Provincial Disaster Control Office (Badan Penanggulangan Bencana Daerah BPBD) and the Bali Provincial Health Office. Results of this study showed that the Bali Province has a strong religious approach consisting of hupokara which is the faith in the Creator as disaster is believed to be a tremendous force that has to be managed through a ceremony called niskala which giving offerings to God for health and safety of the people of Bali Province. The Balinese believe that the COVID-19 virus can be controlled with rituals and offerings. The presence of Pecalang as a traditional security unit looked up to and obeyed by the Balinese people also supports the successful management of COVID-19. The unique approach of Bali Province that is based on the local wisdom through mobilizing Traditional Villages promoting custom-based cooperation through the formation of a task force at the Traditional Village level and with good leadership from the Governor of Bali has led to successful COVID-19 control in Bali Province. Bali has learned from the COVID-19 pandemic that togetherness and mutual cooperation among people are needed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the province.
ABSTRACT
The increase in positive cases of COVID-19 in Indonesia since 2020 has led to various control measures including prevention. One of them is through cultural approach and local wisdom that differs from one region to another such as the one applied in Bali Province. The purpose of the study was to explore Bali’s experience in dealing with COVID-19 from the perspective of culture and local wisdom. A qualitative approach was used in this study using in-depth interviews with the Bali Provincial Disaster Control Office (Badan Penanggulangan Bencana Daerah BPBD) and the Bali Provincial Health Office. Results of this study showed that the Bali Province has a strong religious approach consisting of hupokara which is the faith in the Creator as disaster is believed to be a tremendous force that has to be managed through a ceremony called niskala which giving offerings to God for health and safety of the people of Bali Province. The Balinese believe that the COVID-19 virus can be controlled with rituals and offerings. The presence of Pecalang as a traditional security unit looked up to and obeyed by the Balinese people also supports the successful management of COVID-19. The unique approach of Bali Province that is based on the local wisdom through mobilizing Traditional Villages promoting custom-based cooperation through the formation of a task force at the Traditional Village level and with good leadership from the Governor of Bali has led to successful COVID-19 control in Bali Province. Bali has learned from the COVID-19 pandemic that togetherness and mutual cooperation among people are needed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the province.