The association between drug therapy problems and blood pressure control of patients with hypertension in public health center setting.

Background: Patients with hypertension are at risk of experiencing Drug Therapy Problems (DTPs). However, few have studied the pattern of DTPs in Indonesian public health center (PHC) and how it affected the blood pressure control. Objective: This study aims to identify DTPs and its association to blood pressure control among patients with hypertension in Indonesian PHCs. Methods: A descriptive, observational and cross-sectional study involving 150 selected persistent hypertensive patients was conducted from August to December 2019 in 63 PHCs in Surabaya. A questionnaire asking patients' experiences during treatment of hypertension was used. Chi-square test was used to analyze the association between DTPs and blood pressure control. Results: The majority of respondents were aged 50-65 (54.7%), female (76%), only half has controlled blood pressure (52.7%) and most of them used three to four medicines at the same time (57.3%). A total 563 DTPs was identified with 15.6% was unnecessary drug use, 11.4% indicated need for additional drug therapy, one-fifth experienced dosage too low (21.5%) and nonadherence (19.2%) and 26% suffered from adverse drug reactions. There was a significant association between number of DTPs and blood pressure control (P<0.05). Conclusion: Most patients experienced more than two DTPs and undertook more than three medicines at the same time. There is a significant association between the number of DTPs in hypertensive patient and the blood pressure control.

Phytochemical Analysis and Molecular Identification of Green Macroalgae Caulerpa spp. from Bali, Indonesia.

The studies of the Bulung Boni and Bulung Anggur (Caulerpa spp.) species and secondary metabolites are still very limited. Proper identification will support various aspects, such as cultivation, utilization, and economic interests. Moreover, understanding the secondary metabolites will assist in developing algae-based products. This study aimed to identify these indigenous Caulerpa algae and analyze their bioactive components. The tufA sequence was employed as a molecular marker in DNA barcoding, and its bioactive components were identified using the GC-MS method. The phylogenetic tree was generated in MEGA 11 using the maximum likelihood method, and the robustness of the tree was evaluated using bootstrapping with 1000 replicates. This study revealed that Bulung Boni is strongly connected to Caulerpa cylindracea. However, Bulung Anggur shows no close relationship to other Caulerpa species. GC-MS analysis of ethanolic extracts of Bulung Boni and Bulung Anggur showed the presence of 11 and 13 compounds, respectively. The majority of the compounds found in these algae have been shown to possess biological properties, such as antioxidant, antibacterial, anticancer, anti-inflammation, and antidiabetic. Further study is necessary to compare the data obtained using different molecular markers in DNA barcoding, and to elucidate other undisclosed compounds in these Caulerpa algae.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of pharmacists towards management of hypertension in primary care centers.

Background Hypertension is one of the major health problems of the world and one of the most important causes of death in Indonesia. Complication due to hypertension leads to myocardial infarction, stroke, and renal failure. Pharmacist in primary care centers (Puskesmas) plays an important role in the management of hypertension. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of pharmacists working in Puskesmas in Surabaya, Indonesia, towards the management of hypertension. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted from March to July 2019 in 63 Puskesmas in Surabaya. A questionnaire was developed from the literature to assess KAP and administered to the pharmacists. Data was analyzed using SPSS version-17 and presented in terms of descriptive variables. The mean age of the participants was 34.6 ± 4.9 years (24-45 years old), and 82.5% were females. Majority of the respondents (74.6%) had more than 5 years of experience in Puskesmas. Results Overall, pharmacists had moderate knowledge, and the majority had good attitude and showed satisfactory practice in the management of hypertension. Conclusions There is still a need for continuing education, workshops, and seminars for pharmacists in order to maintain their performance.