SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern Increased Transmission and Decrease Vaccine Efficacy in the COVID-19 Pandemic in Palembang Indonesia.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The number of COVID-19 cases surging despite the large scale of health promotion campaigns. This study aimed to find disease transmissibility and affected vaccine efficacy associated with the mutation of the SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern. METHODS: The study was a descriptive temporal survey design with secondary ecological data: the whole-genome sequence (WGS) from the Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza (GISAID) and COVID-19 data from the Palembang City Health Office website. Bioinformatics software was used to detect mutations. RESULTS: Palembang submitted 43 whole genome sequences, 13 of which were Pangoline sequences classifications. CONCLUSIONS: The two concern variations, Alpha and Delta, were associated with increased transmissions and decreased vaccination efficacy using temporal analysis. Regulations governing the relaxation of mobility restrictions should be based on high rates of testing and tracing, and universal vaccination programs should require that all received two doses of any vaccines as fast as possible.

Improving the quality of life for the elderly with degenerative diseases through to the Charitas group virtual health education program during the pandemic of the COVID-19

In the era of the COVID-19 pandemic various problems were experienced by the elderly especially those with degenerative diseases as the population most at risk of being exposed to COVID-19. The elderly is vulnerable to decreased physical mental and social health;therefore, a new and effective strategy is needed to improve healthy living behavior in this population. This study aimed to analyze the effect of the Charitas Group virtual health education program on improving the quality of life of the elderly with degenerative diseases in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The One Group Pretest-Posttest Pre-Experimental study was with a sample of 33 patients selected by purposive sampling in May - July 2021. The data collection was taken using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Bref (WHOQOL-Bref) form translated and validated into Bahasa Indonesia. The data was then compared before and after the intervention and analyzed using the Paired Samples T-Test. Results: The T-Test showed a significant difference between the pre-test and post-test results (p-value 0.041 < 0.05). At the same time the other T-Test results showed a significant influence on the quality of life of the elderly in the specific domains namely: Psychological (p-value 0.025) Social Relationship (p-value 0.033) and Environmental (p-value 0.034). Conclusions: The Charitas Group virtual health education program significantly influences the quality of life of elderly people with degenerative diseases in the COVID-19 pandemic era.

Relationship of food leftover with COVID-19 inpatients recovery speed in Palembang Indonesia

Hospital nutrition services support the patient’s recovery process which the activity is feeding. One indicator of quality in food service is food leftover. The high food waste can affect the patients’ health. The high food waste will pose a risk of malnutrition in hospitalized patients. The study aimed to analyze the food leftovers in COVID-19 inpatients at the Palembang referral hospital. Methods: This cross-sectional quantitative descriptive study was with a sample of 112 patients selected by purposive sampling in February-May 2021. Data were taken using the Comstock form and then translated in the form of percent leftover food. According to the Minister of Health the minimum leftover food is less than 25 percent. Results: The results showed that more than 25 percent of the leftover food were 51 respondents;Thirty-three respondents (54.1%) have fully recovered and 28 respondents (45.9%) still in improvement. On the other hand, the leftovers food of less than 25 percent were 51 respondents;Forty respondents (78.4%) have fully cured and 11 people (21.6%) still in treatments. The analysis of Chi-square test results shows a p-value of 0.013 showing a significant relationship between food waste and the recovery of COVID-19 patients. Conclusion: The food waste of COVID-19 patients in referral hospitals was still relatively high. It is necessary to modify the diet menu to prevent leftovers and speed up the patient’s recovery.