Journal of Medical Advances and Education (JMAE)

Predictors of low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in young female adults from an equatorial city in Indonesia

2025-06-30T15:32:13+07:00

Vitamin D has pleiotropic effects on women's health. Recent studies point out the alarming rate of vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency in women of various ethnicities and geographical locations. Our objective was to identify lifestyle and dietary factors related to serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels in young women of Minangkabau ethnicity residing in an equatorial city in Indonesia. A cross-sectional study was performed on 80 healthy females (17-25 years). Their lifestyle and dietary characteristics were assessed by a structured interview. A 24-hour food recall was performed to assess dietary intake. The skin pigmentation type was identified according to Fitzpatrick's scale. Sleep quality was examined by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Serum 25(OH)D concentration was measured by the ELISA method. Predictors of serum 25(OH)D level were analyzed using multiple linear regressions. Nearly all subjects (97.5%) were deficient/insufficient (≤20 ng/ml) of vitamin D (median 25(OH)D of 10.5 ng/ml). The regression model (adjusted R²=0.782) showed that predictors of serum 25(OH)D levels were PSQI score (β=-0.436, p<0.001), estimated dietary vitamin D intake (β=0.327, p<0.001), and sunscreen application (β=-0.229, p<0.001). Modification of sleep habits and dietary intake is recommended to improve serum 25(OH)D levels in young women of an equatorial city in Indonesia.

Correlation Between Rehabilitation Motivation Levels and Functional Status of Post-Stroke Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic at Brain Hospital DR. Drs. M. Hatta Bukittinggi City

2025-06-30T16:58:20+07:00

Stroke is a medical condition that can lead to a decline in a patient's neurological and functional abilities. Rehabilitation is essential for the restoration of normal function. The effectiveness of rehabilitation in post-stroke patients can be evaluated by assessing the patient's motivation to participate in the process. This study aims to examine the correlation between the level of motivation to engage in rehabilitation and the functional status of post-stroke patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is an observational analytic study employing a cross-sectional design, conducted on post-stroke patients undergoing rehabilitation at the Medical Rehabilitation Installation of the Brain Hospital, DR. Drs. M. Hatta in Bukittinggi City, from October 18 to November 17, 2021. The study included 50 respondents, selected through a consecutive sampling method. Utilizing the Stroke Motivation Rehabilitation Scale (SMRS) questionnaire and the Barthel Index, the assessment revealed that 62% of respondents exhibited a high level of motivation, while 48% demonstrated moderate dependence. A p-value of 0.000 was obtained from data analysis using the Spearman Rank correlation test, indicating a significant relationship between the motivation to engage in rehabilitation and the functional status of post-stroke patients during the COVID-19 pandemic at the DR Brain Hospital, Drs. M. Hatta, Bukittinggi City. Therefore, monitoring motivation levels during rehabilitation is crucial for evaluating improvements in the patient's functional status.

The Essential Role of Interpersonal Communication in Medical Education

2025-06-30T17:06:08+07:00

Interpersonal communication is a critical component of medical education, especially among educators. It plays a pivotal role in shaping the doctor-patient relationship and improving patient satisfaction. As academic supervisors, educators are required to exhibit strong communication skills to effectively engage with students and act as instructors in communication within medical education institutions. Interpersonal communication is vital for guiding students throughout their academic journeys, whether in the capacity of facilitators or mentors. Essential skills in this area include questioning, providing reinforcement, explaining, listening, building rapport, employing humour, and utilising other nonverbal techniques. Educators in medical education are expected to excel in these interpersonal communication skills to foster students’ personal and professional development as physicians. In addition, they must be proficient in teaching these skills to their students, particularly in the context of patient history. Therefore, interpersonal communication is a fundamental component of both undergraduate and postgraduate medical curricula.

The Potential of Biosilica Derived from Indonesian Marine Sponges as a Biomaterial in Bone Tissue Engineering Utilizing Mesenchymal Stem Cells

2025-06-30T17:15:24+07:00

Indonesia is renowned for possessing the highest marine biodiversity globally, encompassing approximately 850 species of sea sponges, particularly within the Coral Triangle region, including areas such as Raja Ampat (West Papua), Wakatobi (Southeast Sulawesi), the Thousand Islands (Java), and Weh Island (Aceh). Numerous species from the Demospongiae and Hexactinellida families are known to produce natural silica skeletons, referred to as biosilica, which hold potential as biomaterials. Sea sponges, classified as simple invertebrate organisms within the phylum Porifera, inhabit marine environments. A distinctive biological characteristic of sponges is their capacity to form biogenic silica skeletons, termed biosilica, through the process of biomineralization. This biosilica is distinguished from synthetic silica by its hierarchical nanoscale structure and elevated bioactivity. Over the past two decades, biosilica derived from sea sponges has garnered increasing attention in the field of biomaterials, particularly for its potential applications in tissue engineering, with a focus on bone regeneration.

Model of Husband’s Bonding Behaviour for the Success of Exclusive Breastfeeding in Rural Sumatra

2025-06-30T17:27:13+07:00

The success of exclusive breastfeeding is not only a matter for the wife but also requires the involvement of the husband. Husbands have a very decisive role in the success of exclusive breastfeeding. This study aimed to explore the husband's bonding behaviour model towards the success of exclusive breastfeeding in rural communities of Sumatra Island. This study applied a qualitative study design. The informants were divided into three groups: support providers, support receivers, and expert informants. Data collection was conducted using semi-structured interviews. A multilevel coding strategy was applied for data analysis, consisting of meanings, categories, themes, and concepts. Data collection and analysis were conducted using an iterative process. The findings identified four husbands’ bonding behaviours for the success of exclusive breastfeeding. The behaviours are encouraging with affection, unstressing advice, helping sincerely, and being responsible. These behaviours are significantly influenced by the husbands’ understanding of the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding and their obedience to religious orders. The findings indicated that the success of breastfeeding is not only determined by maternal factors but also by paternal involvement. Husbands’ bonding behaviours could be improved by increasing knowledge about breastfeeding and religious beliefs. Thus, both health workers and religious leaders play an important role in the success of exclusive breastfeeding in rural Sumatra.