Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic affects all aspects of life and might cause stress for vulnerable groups such as mothers with school-age children, both housewives and working mothers. With the uncontrolled circulating information about medications, supplements, and herbs that are believed to treat COVID-19, self-medication and misused might escalate. Therefore, this study aims to determine the consumption of “anti-COVID” agents and the mental health of mothers with school-age children in Indonesia. Methods: Online questionnaires regarding medications/supplements for COVID-19 prevention and treatment of “anti-COVID” consumption behavior and mental health using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS-21) were distributed among Indonesian mothers with school-age children. Data (n = 610) were analyzed; descriptive and association between sociodemographic factors, “anti-COVID” medications consumption, and mental health were presented. Results: A quarter of the respondents were categorized as having mental disorders, with higher scores of DASS-21 was higher in the housewives’ group. The incidence associated with age, family expenses, and marital status in the working mothers’ group, and only with family expense in the housewives’ group. Moreover, the result showed 80% of the respondents consumed “anti-COVID” medications or supplements to prevent COVID-19, with 75% did self-medication without consulting with a healthcare professional. Friends/family and social media were two primary sources of information regarding the “anti-COVID” products. In the housewives’ group, their consumption behavior was influenced by education. Meanwhile in the working mothers’ group, the consumption behavior was influenced by age, family income, and family expense. In addition, there was no association between the usage of medications/supplements with the respondents’ mental health status. Conclusion: This study showed the importance of controlling information and expanding the mother’s knowledge to find the correct information to minimize the unwanted effect in the post COVID-19 pandemic. Increasing awareness of mental health issues in the community, especially in the vulnerable population such as mother with school-age children, is necessary to avoid detrimental effects that might occur in the future.

Aim: Low levels of immune-related micronutrients have been identified in β-thalassemia samples. Moreover, the excess amount of iron, contributing to oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of the dise... Lay abstract Nutrition is important for the human body, including the immune system. During COVID-19, maintaining immunity is crucial to prevent transmission, because vaccines remain under developm...

β-thalassemia is caused by mutations in the β-globin gene which diminishes or abolishes β-globin chain production. This reduction causes an imbalance of the α/β-globin chain ratio and contributes to the pathogenesis of the disease. Several approaches to reduce the imbalance of the α/β ratio using several nucleic acid-based technologies such as RNAi, lentiviral mediated gene therapy, splice switching oligonucleotides (SSOs) and gene editing technology have been investigated extensively. These approaches aim to reduce excess free α-globin, either by reducing the α-globin chain, restoring β-globin expression and reactivating γ-globin expression, leading a reduced disease severity, treatment necessity, treatment interval, and disease complications, thus, increasing the life quality of the patients and alleviating economic burden. Therefore, nucleic acid-based therapy might become a potential targeted therapy for β-thalassemia.

Purpose: This study aimed to measure the attitudes of Indonesian medical doctors and students toward new technology in genome editing. Materials and Methods: Online questionnaires regarding attitudes toward genome editing on health and non-health conditions, both in somatic cells and embryo, were distributed through researcher networks, email and social media specific to medical doctors and students. The data of 1055 valid questionnaires were processed; descriptive and association analyses between sociodemographic factors and attitudes toward genome editing were performed. Email in-depth interview was performed to explore the respondents’ answers. Results: The results showed that Indonesian medical doctors’ and students’ knowledge of genome editing was limited and correlated with gender, place of residence, religion, education, marital status, childbearing and experience abroad. More than half of respondents supported genome editing for the treatment of fatal and debilitating diseases both in somatic cells and embryos, implying their consent to edited gene inheritance. However, this approval decreased when applied to non-health-related aspects, such as physical appearance, intelligence and strength. Factors affecting their attitudes toward genome editing included their status as medical doctors or students, gender, age, education, religion, economic status and place of residence. Conclusion: Increasing knowledge and awareness of Indonesian medical doctors and students regarding genome editing is important. Even though its application in health-related matter was supported by a majority of the respondents, discussion from ethical and religious perspectives is necessary to ensure the acceptance.

Thalassemia, the fifth-most catastrophic disease with 10,555 patients, causes physical, emotional, and economic burden for the patient, their family, and the country. Annually, IDR 500 billion are needed to cover the treatment of thalassemia. This projected number will continue to increase if no action is taken, so education and knowledge dissemination are important for thalassemia prevention. This community development involves thalassemia patients and families as partners and encourages them to share their knowledge and experience about thalassemia with the Indonesian late adolescents, young adult, and middle-aged adult population through an online webinar to increase public knowledge on thalassemia. Education media, such as posters and videos, were developed and disseminated during the activity, followed by live sharing from thalassemia patients, parents, and pediatricians. The respondents’ knowledge of thalassemia was measured using an 11-items questionnaire before and after the online educational activity. The results show that the respondents have a good knowledge of thalassemia, and it increases after attending online education event about the disease (9.74+2.4, 10.22+0.77, p<0.001). Their knowledge was associated with health-related field experience, knowing someone with thalassemia, and their willingness to undergo thalassemia testing (p<0.046, 0.013, and 0.007, respectively). Thus, these findings support the importance of education and dissemination of information regarding Thalassemia. Moreover, strong knowledge might lead to a willingness to undergo thalassemia testing, which might lead to less marriage between carriers and, eventually, a reduction in the incidence of thalassemia major.

Purpose: This study aimed to measure the effectiveness of online peer-group activism to promote thalassemia prevention among high school students of East Java Indonesia.Design/methodology/approach: Twenty students were recruited as cadres and trained for thalassemia every weekend for four weeks, followed by creating health promotions via online media. The media was further disseminated among the students’ peer groups for a week. The respondent’s knowledge was measured before and after health promotion utilizing an online media mixed-methods approach that combined quantitative data using an online questionnaire and in-depth interviews for qualitative measurement. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed using Graph Prism 5.00. Interview transcripts were analyzed to elaborate on the respondent’s understanding of thalassemia.Findings: The respondents had good basic knowledge about thalassemia; however, it was not in-line with their understanding, which increased after the online health promotion activity. Therefore, this approach is useful for disseminating health issues during the COVID-19 pandemic and can be implemented for broadening respondents.Originality/value: This study showed the experience of online peer-group activism for thalassemia prevention in high school students. By empowering the peer group, health promotion is effective in increasing the knowledge and understanding of thalassemia. A similar approach can be proposed for other health issues.