Relationship between anxiety and spiritual well-being of the elderly with hypertension during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objectives: To study the relationship between anxiety and the spiritual wellbeing of hypertensive elderly patients during the corona virus disease-2019 pandemic. Method: The cross-sectional, correlational, analytical study was conducted from March to May 2022 in Lamongan Regency, East Java, Indonesia, after approval from the Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia, and comprised elderly hypertensive subjects aged >45 years who had good cognitive skills. Data was collected using the Geriatric Anxiety Scale and the Spiritual Wellbeing Scale. Anxiety was the independent variable, while spiritual wellbeing was the dependent variable. Data was analysed using univariate and bivariate analyses. RESULTS: Of the 200 subjects, 107(53.5%) were females and 93(46.5%) were males. Overall, 97(48.5%) were aged 45-49 years, 81(40.5%) had completed primary school, 96(48%) were farmers, 121(60.5%) had moderate anxiety and 80(40%) had moderate spiritual wellbeing. There was a significant relationship between anxiety and spiritual wellbeing (p<0.05). Age, education and occupation of the subjects had significant association with both anxiety and spiritual wellbeing (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The coronavirus disease-2019 led to decreased anxiety and increased spiritual wellbeing among the hypertensive elderly.

Predictors of Mortality Among Children with Confirmed and Suspected Cases of COVID-19 in East Java, Indonesia.

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) increases rapidly and causes mortality in all groups, including children. However, the predictive risk factors of mortality among children remain inconclusive. This study aimed to analyse the predictors related to mortality among children with COVID-19. Methods: Secondary data analysis was conducted using provincial COVID-19 data from April 2020 to May 2021. We selected 6441 children under age 18 to be included in this study. Chi-square and binary logistic regression were used to evaluate the predictors of mortality in children with COVID-19. Results: This study showed that the prevalence of children who died COVID-19 was 2.7%. Age, case definition, treatment status, severity of illness, and travel history had a significant relationship with survival status in children with COVID-19. As the increasing age, the risk of death with COVID-19 will decrease [AOR=0.94; CI 95%=0.91-0.97]. Otherwise, suspected status [AOR=2.12; 95% CI=1.48-3.04], hospitalization with ventilators [AOR=22.25; 95% CI=5.73-86.42], severe illness [AOR=46.76; 95% CI=21.69-100.80], and travel history [AOR=1.78; 95% CI=1.22-2.60] were significantly related with an increased risk of death in children with COVID-19. Discussion: Severe illness in children was the strongest predictor of mortality. Disease prevention and health promotion programs are the key to preventing hospitalizations in children and decreasing the mortality rate.

The Role of Knowledge, Attitude, Confidence, and Sociodemographic Factors in COVID-19 Vaccination Adherence among Adolescents in Indonesia: A Nationwide Survey.

COVID-19 vaccination in adolescents is important because the adolescent population has the highest incidence of COVID-19. This study aimed to explore the factors associated with COVID-19 vaccination adherence among Indonesian adolescents. This cross-sectional study involved 7986 adolescents, polled through online and offline surveys conducted in six major islands of Indonesia. The online questionnaire was distributed through popular social messaging and social media platforms. Our team also contacted schools and public places to recruit participants from remote areas. In total, 7299 respondents completed the questionnaire. Binary logistic analysis revealed that higher levels of knowledge, positive attitudes, and confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine were significantly associated with higher COVID-19 vaccination adherence in adolescents. Sociodemographic factors were also significantly associated with higher adherence to vaccination programs. Meanwhile, younger age and habitation in private housing were related to lower adherence to the vaccination program. Parental factors related to adolescent compliance were education level, household income, history of infection of family or friends with COVID-19, and working status. The national authorities and stakeholders should take extensive measures to increase attitude, knowledge, confidence, and family support among adolescence through multiple channels.

The Need for Speed: A Qualitative Study on Nurse Recruitment and Management Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic in Indonesia.

Introduction: Nursing workforce is a pivotal element in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this has not been comprehensively discussed, particularly in Indonesia. This study aimed to explore stakeholders' perspectives on Indonesian nursing workforce recruitment and management during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This study employed a qualitative design with an exploratory descriptive approach. Stakeholders who recruited and managed nursing resources in Indonesia were involved. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions with stakeholders representing eight different institutions were undertaken. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Eight key stakeholders were interviewed. Results: Three themes emerged, namely uncertain recruitment system, nursing labour market situation, and workforce management dynamics. COVID-19 caused reduced workforce capacity and increased demands for health professionals, especially nurses. Conclusion: Uncertainty and volatility happened at the recruitment and management of nursing human resources during the pandemic. Stakeholders were not convinced of overall quality of local nurses recruited to care for COVID-19 patients given workforce was dominated by new graduates and nurses without specialistic qualifications. Employers gave new staff more training to ease their deployment to COVID-19 units to make up for the nurses' lack of expertise and experience.

Association of stigma with mental health and quality of life among Indonesian COVID-19 survivors.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) survivors face societal stigma. The study aims to analyze the association of this stigma with the mental health and quality of life of COVID-19 survivors. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we observed 547 adults who were previously documented as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) positive by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, treated in a hospital or an emergency hospital and proven to be SARS-CoV-2 negative by their latest PCR test. We adopted the Berger HIV Stigma Scale to measure stigma; the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Form to measure quality of life; and the Mental Health Inventory-38 to measure mental health. The chi-square and binary logistic regression tests were used to find the correlation between the variables. RESULTS: The multivariate analysis revealed that medium stigma was more likely related to quality of life and mental health than low stigma. Females were less likely to experience stigma related to mental health than men, and respondents who worked as laborers and entrepreneurs were less likely to experience stigma related to mental health than those who worked as civil workers/army personnel/teachers/lecturers. COVID-19 survivors experienced medium stigma in society and lower quality of life and mental health status. We found that quality of life and mental health were affected by stigma, sex, and occupation. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 survivors are a vulnerable group that is most at risk when they return to their communities. Creating a safe environment and providing respectful care, including addressing complex stigma factors, is vital for developing appropriate interventions.