The Relationship between Stigma and Social Support to Quality of Life in Indonesia and the Philippines during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The importance of quality of life (QoL) was magnified as countries faced the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to determine the relationship between COVID-19-related stigma and preferred social support to QoL in two Southeast Asian countries. This paper examined (1) the differences in the physical and psychological dimensions of QoL (QoL-PSY, QoL-PHL), COVID-19 perceived stigma (PcS) and public stigma (PS), and preferred social support (PSS) between Indonesia (IDN) and the Philippines (PHP);(2) the associations between PS and PcS with QoL;(3) the associations between PSS and QoL;and (4) the role of the country as a moderator between the relationship of PcS and PSS to QoL. Data were collected from 992 participants (PHP = 564;IDN = 428) through an online survey (April-June 2022) and analyzed through multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA), hierarchical multiple regression, and multiple-group path analysis. After controlling for potential covariates, we found significant country differences in QOL and PSS, where Indonesia's estimated means for these two measures were significantly higher than the Philippines. Both domains of PSS had significant positive associations with both QOL domains in the merged sample;similarly, PcS had significant negative associations with both domains of QOL. Path analysis also showed similar significant predictors (PSS and PcS) associated with QoL for both countries with minor coefficient variations, except PS and PSS-ST. The findings show a similar relationship pattern between perceived stigma and social support (strong ties) to the QoL in Indonesia and the Philippines. Cultural interventions to mitigate perceived stigma were suggested in healthcare settings. © 2023 Hogrefe Publishing.

E-Passport COVID-19 Adopting RFID Implants based on Microservices

COVID-19 has spread throughout the global and has restrained humans in all aspects of life including society, economy, education, etc. The first Corona virus appeared in China on 2019 and had mutated into several variants such as B.1.1.7 (Alpha), B.1.351 (Beta), E484Q (Delta), and BA.2 (Omicron). In order to block the virus to mutate and spread in the communities, we proposed a design of E-Passport by adopting RFID Implants with integrated Microservices technology. Our concepts is we design an android application (E-passport) that will be used by every institution on public places to stop the positive patients getting inside the public space to spread the virus. The checker in every public places need to scan the RFID implants on every humans hand by using NFC technology embedded on android phone with installed E-Passport to determine whether can enter or forbidden to enter. The RFID Implant stored a unique code that can be read as the reference of the person's data information stored in cloud database based on Microservices infrastructure. Our proposed design and architecture are dedicated to stop the COVID-19 virus to spread among public communities. © 2022 IEEE.

Knowledge and awareness of COVID-19 among Indonesian migrant workers in the Greater China Region.

OBJECTIVES: Migrant workers are one of the most vulnerable population groups during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study investigated knowledge and awareness of COVID-19 among Indonesian migrant workers (IMWs) in Macao (SAR), Hong Kong (SAR), and Taiwan. STUDY DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study. METHODS: Data were collected through an online survey in February and March 2020 to gain information on (1) participants' sociodemographic characteristics, (2) experience and awareness regarding COVID-19 information, and (3) knowledge and understanding of COVID-19. A series of Chi-squared, t-test, and logistic regression analyses were conducted. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 491 participants (92.1% female). Knowledge of COVID-19 was obtained from multiple sources, including a large proportion from online social media. However, participants who obtained information from their employer, local social networks, and migrant organisations answered a greater number of questions correctly. One-third of participants reported receiving hoax, fake news, and incorrect information and obtained information from unverified sources. Participants were most interested in information about how to cure COVID-19, and 57.8% knew that no specific drug or vaccine was currently available. Almost all participants correctly identified fever and wearing a facemask as the main COVID-19 symptom and prevention strategy, respectively. Participants with senior high school or higher education and who worked as domestic or care workers had a greater knowledge of COVID-19 than their counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: Public health communication strategies using multiple channels, including employers and community organisations, would help to minimise COVID-19 knowledge gaps. In addition, it is recommended that digital literacy content is added to public health campaigns.