International Journal of Social Health

The Effect of a Diet Based on Local Foods on Changes in Upper ARM Circumference Among Pregnant Women in the Service Area of the Sikumana Community Health Center

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Chronic Energy Deficiency (CED) among pregnant women remains a significant public health issue, particularly in developing countries, where inadequate maternal nutrition contributes to adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study aimed to analyze the effect of local food-based supplementary feeding (PMT) on changes in upper arm circumference (LiLA) among pregnant women with CED in the working area of the Sikumana Health Center, Indonesia. A quasi-experimental nonequivalent control group design with pre-test and post-test was employed. The study involved 45 pregnant women, divided into an intervention group receiving 50 g of local food PMT daily for 21 days and a control group receiving standard care. Data were collected through anthropometric measurements of LiLA and analyzed using the paired sample t-test and the independent sample t-test. The results showed a significant increase in mean LiLA in the intervention group from 22.2 cm to 22.5 cm, while the control group slightly decreased from 27.8 cm to 27.7 cm. Statistical analysis confirmed a significant difference between groups (p = 0.023), indicating the effectiveness of local food PMT in improving maternal nutritional status. In conclusion, local food-based supplementary feeding significantly improves LiLA among pregnant women with CED. This intervention is a potential sustainable nutrition strategy that utilizes locally available food resources to address maternal undernutrition and improve pregnancy outcomes in community health settings.

Difference of Serum Vitamin D Levels in Government Employees with Hypertension and Without Hypertension in Kupang City

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Vitamin D deficiency has been widely recognized as a global public health concern and is increasingly associated with cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension. This study aimed to compare serum vitamin D levels between government employees with hypertension and those without hypertension in Kupang City, Indonesia. A cross-sectional design was employed involving 60 government employees, divided equally into hypertensive and non-hypertensive groups. Data were collected through structured interviews, physical examinations, and laboratory analysis of serum vitamin D levels using the Enzyme Chemiluminescence Immunoassay (ECLIA) method. Statistical analysis was conducted using the independent t-test and the Mann–Whitney U test, with a significance level of p < 0.05. The results showed that the mean serum vitamin D level in the hypertensive group (25.91 ± 8.50 ng/mL) was significantly lower than in the non-hypertensive group (29.91 ± 5.01 ng/mL), with a p-value of 0.002. Additionally, hypertensive respondents had a higher body mass index and older age compared to non-hypertensive participants, both of which were statistically significant. These findings indicate a potential association between lower vitamin D levels and the presence of hypertension among government employees. In conclusion, serum vitamin D levels were significantly lower in individuals with hypertension, suggesting that vitamin D may play a role in blood pressure regulation. Further longitudinal and interventional studies are recommended to determine causality and evaluate the potential benefits of vitamin D supplementation in hypertension prevention and management.

A 10 Months Old Girl Presented With Vaginal Bleeding : A Case Report

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Vaginal bleeding is rare in prepubertal children and can be challenging to diagnose, requiring differentiation between infection, mechanical causes, or other aetiologies. A 10-month-old female was referred from her paediatrician with a complaint of vaginal bleeding with purulent discharge for three months prior to admission. She presented with abdominal distention for two days prior to admission and absence of urination for one day prior to admission. There was no history of trauma or abuse. Physical examination revealed abdominal distention and a mass-like, distended bladder on palpation without tenderness. Laboratory examination showed leukocytosis (18.7 × 10³/L), hypochromic microcytic anaemia (8.30 g/dL), hyperkalaemia (6.8 mmol/L), decreased renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate 3 mL/min/1.73 m²), and metabolic acidosis consistent with acute kidney injury (AKI) failure. Urinalysis was normal. On the day of admission, abdominal X-ray showed an intra-abdominal mass suspected to be an umbilical mass or calcification. Abdominal ultrasound revealed ascites, an overdistended bladder with cystitis, duplex collecting system of the right kidney with moderate bilateral hydroureteronephrosis. Dialysis was planned due to AKI failure. One day after Foley catheter insertion, laboratory evaluation showed normal renal function, normokalaemia, and normal blood gas analysis. Dialysis was postponed. Voiding cystourethrography demonstrated an inflammatory process outside the uterus and bladder, chronic cystitis, and right duplex collecting system. Abdominal MRI revealed a solid sacrococcygeal mass. Laboratory evaluation showed leukocytosis (20.99 × 10³/L), hypochromic microcytic anaemia (7.20 g/dL), normal B-human chorionic gonadotropin (B-HCG), and elevated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP >20,000 ng/mL). Urinalysis showed high leucocyte count (308/hpf) and bacteria >10,000/L. Laparotomy with biopsy revealed a germ cell tumour.