Berita Kedokteran Masyarakat

Post-pandemic behaviour among Indonesian young adults: a mixed-method study on physical activity, dietary patterns, and sleep habits

2026-03-31T14:29:12+07:00

Purpose: This study investigates the post-pandemic habits of Indonesian young adults aged 18 to 23 in Indonesia. It uses a cross-sectional design to evaluate their physical activity levels, dietary patterns, and sleep habits.

Methods: A mixed-methods, cross-sectional study used an online questionnaire with quantitative and qualitative data from 260 purposively sampled respondents. Quantitative data were collected and analysed using Spearman’s correlation. The quantitative data comprise three assessments: the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), dietary patterns, and sleep routines. Additionally, qualitative data were gathered through one open-ended question to explore perceived changes in lifestyle habits and were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results: A sedentary lifestyle markedly affects various aspects of post-pandemic wellbeing among young adults, with three main changes. Firstly, 80.4% reported exercising fewer than 10 times a month or for less than 150 minutes per week. Secondly, 58.1% preferred ultra-processed foods such as boba drinks, coffee, cereals, tteokbokki, and takoyaki, citing current trends and convenience as influences. Thirdly, 65.4% experienced inadequate sleep, averaging 6-7 hours per night, linked to high screen time. Personal challenges and behavioural shifts post-pandemic were also evident in subjective responses during the transition to what has become the normalised modern lifestyle.

Conclusion: Inactivity, poor diet, and lack of sleep emphasise the importance of campaigns encouraging healthier lifestyles among young adults. Tackling these interconnected risks requires coordinated efforts from universities, public health authorities, and policymakers to promote active routines, digital balance, and preventative health strategies for youth.

Non-adherence to pulmonary tuberculosis treatment: prevalence and associated factors in an urban community health center in Makassar, Indonesia

2026-04-01T13:54:26+07:00

Purpose: Non-adherence to tuberculosis (TB) treatment remains a major public health concern, contributing to drug resistance, ongoing trans- mission, and increased morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and determinants of treatment non-adherence among pulmonary TB patients at the Tamalate Public Health Center, Makassar City, Indonesia, focusing on sociodemographic, behavioral, and health-related factors.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2024 among 110 pulmonary TB patients selected through exhaustive sampling. Treatment adherence was measured using the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS). Data were collected via structured interviews using KoboCollect and analyzed in Stata 14.0 using univariate and bivariate analyses (Chi-square and odds ratio).

Results: Among 110 respondents, 30.0% were non-adherent. Most demonstrated poor TB-related knowledge (77.3%), low income (65.4%), and low education levels (42.7%). More than half experienced adverse drug effects (55.4%) and reported high family support (54.6%). In multivariate analysis, poor knowledge about tuberculosis remained independently associated with treatment non-adherence (aOR = 7.3; 95% CI: 2.13–25.30). Other factors, including adverse drug effects, household income, educational level, employment status, health insurance type, and family support, were not independently associated with non-adherence after adjustment.

Conclusion: Treatment non-adherence in urban TB patients was primarily driven by poor tuberculosis-related knowledge, underscoring the need for strengthened, structured patient education within TB control programs.

Association between family assessment tools and depression in adolescents: a cross-sectional

2026-03-31T17:34:45+07:00

Purpose: Adolescents are very vulnerable to depression because adolescence is a period of psychological development. Research on family function in adolescents experiencing depression is still limited. This study aims to determine the association of family assessment tools with depression in adolescents.

Methods: This study was an observational, cross-sectional analysis conducted from October to December 2024. The population of this study was all high school students at SMAN 4 Palembang, and the sample was all 3rd-grade students who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of 177 respondents were included. The independent variable studied was the family assessment tools, and the dependent variable was depression. The Family function examination is assessed using the APGAR score, which consists of adaptation, partnership, growth, affection, and resolve. In contrast, the SCREEM consists of social, cultural, religious, economic, educational, and medical. Adolescent mental health was measured using the Children's Depression Inventory Questionnaire. The data were then analyzed using the chi-square test, and the Fisher test if the chi-square test did not meet its assumptions.

Results: There were significant relationships between APGAR score (p-value=0.000), social (p-value=0.001), culture (p-value=0.003), religion (p-value=0.000), and education (p-value=0.003) and adolescent depression. There is no relationship between the economy (p-value 0.387) and access to health (p-value=0.797) in depression in adolescents.

Conclusion: APGAR scores can be integrated into family folders within health services to facilitate practitioners' involvement of families in depression management. Families are expected to play a greater role, especially in the social, cultural, religious, and educational spheres.

The nutrition literacy gap among millennial mothers and its implications for the free nutritious meals program

2026-04-02T07:59:29+07:00

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the nutrition literacy gap among millennial mothers from the housewives’ community participating in the Village Food Safety Movement (VFSM) Program and to explore its relevance to household practices beyond the scope of the Free Nutritious Meals (FNM) program.

Methods: A descriptive one-group pre–post test design was conducted in 2024, involving 7,231 housewives (mean age: 35 years; classified as millennials) from 232 villages across 34 Indonesian provinces who were participating in the VFSM program. Participants were selected using purposive sampling with a consecutive approach based on predefined criteria. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, and descriptive analysis was used to assess the percentage of correct responses before and after the intervention.

Results: The survey revealed a substantial knowledge gap. Correct responses to “What is stunting” (E1) and “The impacts of stunting” (E4) were moderate, ranging from 48% to 55%, while knowledge of “Types of foods that can prevent stunting” (E3) was very low, with scores below 25%. Descriptively, only limited improvements were observed after the intervention, and overall knowledge levels remained below the “adequate” threshold (>60%). These findings suggest limited improvement following the intervention and highlight the need for sustained educational efforts.

Conclusion: The gap in practical nutrition literacy, particularly in identifying stunting-preventive foods, may influence the optimal utilization of the FNM program. As the program provides only 30–35% of daily energy needs, the remaining intake must be met through safe and nutritious foods prepared at home. Without sufficient knowledge of food safety and nutrition, this complementary intake may be inadequate. These findings highlight the necessity of practical, adaptive education—incorporating digital and visual methods—to strengthen household food safety and nutrition practices in support of the FNM program.