Journal of Asian-african Focus in Health

Literatur Review: The Relationship Between Macronutrient Intake and Sleep Duration and the Occurrence of Menstrual Disorders in Women of Reproductive Age

2026-04-28T09:33:31+07:00

This literature review examines the relationship between macronutrient intake and sleep duration with the incidence of menstrual disorders in women of reproductive age. Based on a systematic analysis of ten selected scientific studies, the findings indicate that carbohydrate intake is significantly associated with menstrual disorders, particularly when high glycemic index foods and excessive added sugars are consumed, leading to hormonal imbalances through insulin dysregulation. Protein intake also shows a significant relationship, where both deficiency and excessive consumption of animal protein may disrupt ovulation, while plant-based protein demonstrates a protective effect. Fat intake, especially high saturated fat consumption, is linked to increased severity of dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome (PMS), whereas omega-3 fatty acids contribute to symptom relief. In addition, insufficient sleep duration (less than 7 hours per day) significantly increases the risk of menstrual irregularities and pain intensity. Biologically, these relationships are explained through multiple mechanisms, including disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis, insulin resistance, increased prostaglandin production, and the reciprocal interaction between poor diet and inadequate sleep. Despite strong evidence, significant research gaps remain, particularly the lack of experimental or clinical studies examining the combined effects of dietary and sleep interventions on menstrual health. Therefore, a comprehensive approach integrating nutritional and lifestyle modifications is essential in managing menstrual disorders.

P3PM Poster Improves Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Personal Hygiene of Food Handlers at SPPG A

2026-04-28T09:27:58+07:00

Effective educational interventions are necessary to ensure food safety in the Free Nutritional Meal Program (MBG) by promoting personal hygiene among food workers. The purpose of this research is to examine how nutrition fulfillment service unit (SPPG) A food handlers' knowledge and attitudes toward personal hygiene were affected by counseling that made use of the P3PM posters (Personal Hygiene, Use of PPE, and Handwashing Practices for Food Handlers). A pre-experimental design with a one-group pre-test-post-test layout was utilized in this investigation. Thirteen food handlers chosen at random using a complete sample method made up the study's subjects. Before and after the intervention, data was collected using a knowledge and attitude questionnaire. Installation of three A3-sized P3PM posters in the food processing area and 45 minutes of counseling comprised the intervention. The results demonstrated that food handlers' expertise increased following the intervention, as evidenced by a change from adequate to good. Counseling also led to an 8.9 point improvement in food workers' attitudes about personal cleanliness. The results of the statistical analysis demonstrated a notable change in both knowledge and attitudes from the pre- to post-intervention periods (p0.005). The results show that food handlers in SPPG A can benefit from counseling using P3PM posters in terms of both knowledge and attitude.

Integration of Medical Ethics from an Islamic Perspective on the Formation of Professionalism in Medical Education: Literature Review

2026-05-09T11:14:57+07:00

Medical education is a long-term professional education that requires students to comprehensively master academic competencies and clinical practice. Developing professionalism is a crucial aspect because it determines the quality of service and public trust in the medical profession. Medical ethics, in this process, serves as a moral and behavioral foundation, including Islamic values that emphasize trustworthiness, justice, and responsibility in healthcare. The application of these values in medical education is crucial for the holistic development of character, moral integrity, and professionalism in medical students. This study used a literature review approach by analyzing relevant publications obtained from databases such as PubMed, Research Gate, and Google Scholar. The selected literature focused on medical ethics from an Islamic perspective, professionalism, medical education, and the integration of Islamic values. This study demonstrates that Islamic medical ethics, grounded in the Qur'an, Hadith, and the principles of Sharia law (maqasid sharia), such as trustworthiness, justice, ihsan, honesty, hifz al-nafs (protection of life), and la darar wa la dirar (do not harm oneself or others), play a significant role in shaping student professionalism. Integrating these values into the curriculum, learning, and academic environment can enhance components of professionalism such as altruism, accountability, excellence, and humanism. Furthermore, the systematic application of Islamic ethical values in the educational process strengthens empathy, responsibility, and the ability to make decisions grounded in ethical principles within modern medical practice. The integration of medical ethics from an Islamic perspective is an essential strategy in medical education to produce physicians who are not only academically competent but also possess high moral integrity and professionalism and are able to provide holistic healthcare services.

The Influence of Stigma and Family Support on Long-Term Outcomes of Schizophrenia Patients: A Literature Review

2026-04-20T10:47:02+07:00

Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental disorder that significantly affects patients’ quality of life, social functioning, and long-term recovery. In addition to biological factors, psychosocial factors such as family support and stigma play crucial roles in determining treatment outcomes and recovery trajectories among individuals with schizophrenia. This study aimed to examine the influence of family support and stigma on the long-term outcomes of patients with schizophrenia through a narrative review of the existing literature. A narrative literature review was conducted using articles retrieved from PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, ResearchGate, and Gale. The search employed keywords related to schizophrenia, stigma, family support, long-term outcomes, and mental health. Studies published in English and Indonesian that examined the relationship between family support, stigma, and outcomes among individuals with schizophrenia were included. Following the screening and eligibility assessment process, 20 studies met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed using a narrative synthesis approach. The review revealed that family support is consistently associated with improved quality of life, better medication adherence, reduced relapse rates, increased treatment motivation, and enhanced psychosocial functioning among patients with schizophrenia. Conversely, stigma was found to negatively affect psychological well-being, resilience, caregiving capacity, treatment engagement, and quality of life. The findings further indicated that supportive family environments may mitigate the adverse effects of stigma by promoting acceptance, emotional stability, and social integration. Structured family involvement was also shown to improve clinical and functional outcomes. Family support and stigma are important psychosocial determinants of long-term outcomes in schizophrenia. Strengthening family involvement and implementing stigma-reduction strategies should be considered essential components of comprehensive and recovery-oriented mental health care for individuals living with schizophrenia.

Literature Review: Myocardial infarction in Young Adult

2026-04-20T10:38:49+07:00

Myocardial infarction (MI) has traditionally been considered a disease of older adults; however, recent evidence indicates an increasing incidence among younger populations. This trend has raised significant clinical and public health concerns because MI occurring during productive years is associated with substantial long-term health, social, and economic consequences. Understanding the risk factors, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of MI in young adults is essential for improving prevention and management strategies. This study aimed to systematically review the current literature regarding myocardial infarction in young adults, with a particular focus on risk factors, clinical characteristics, and patient outcomes. A literature review was conducted using articles retrieved from PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. The search covered publications from 2021 to 2026 using keywords related to myocardial infarction, young adults, acute coronary syndrome, and cardiovascular risk factors. Articles were screened according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Following the selection process, 20 eligible studies consisting of observational studies, cohort studies, registry analyses, case series, and review articles were included in the final analysis. he findings demonstrate that myocardial infarction in young adults is a growing global health issue. Traditional risk factors, particularly smoking, dyslipidemia, obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and family history of cardiovascular disease, remain the primary determinants of disease occurrence. Emerging risk factors, including psychosocial stress, sleep disorders, autoimmune diseases, chronic inflammation, and substance abuse, also contribute significantly. Clinically, young patients commonly present with typical chest pain and predominantly single-vessel coronary artery disease, although non-atherosclerotic mechanisms such as spontaneous coronary artery dissection and myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries are increasingly recognized. While short-term outcomes are generally more favorable than in older patients, long-term risks of recurrent cardiovascular events and persistent morbidity remain substantial. Myocardial infarction in young adults is a multifactorial condition requiring comprehensive risk assessment, early prevention, and long-term management strategies to reduce future cardiovascular burden.

Interprofessionalism in the Clinical Clerkship of the Medical Profession

2026-05-02T14:06:02+07:00

Clinical clerkship is a crucial stage in medical education because students begin to move from classroom based learning into real clinical practice, where collaboration with nurses, pharmacists, and other health professionals becomes essential. This article reviews interprofessionalism in the clinical clerkship of the medical profession by examining how Interprofessional Education or IPE supports the development of collaborative competence among medical students. This study used a literature review design with an analytical approach. Relevant articles were searched through PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect using keywords related to interprofessional education, interprofessional learning, medical education, and clinical clerkship. The reviewed literature shows that interprofessional learning in clinical clerkship occurs through three main phases, namely entering unfamiliar professional territory, making sense of other professional roles, and achieving meaningful participation in patient care teams. The findings indicate that IPE generally improves students’ attitudes, communication, teamwork, and collaborative behavior. However, the understanding of roles and responsibilities across professions remains a persistent challenge, especially when students rely on informal assumptions or stereotypes about other health professions. Structured IPE activities, institutional support, faculty development, and explicit role clarification are important factors that strengthen interprofessional competence. Conversely, limited resources, scheduling difficulties, and professional stereotypes hinder effective implementation. This review concludes that interprofessionalism in clinical clerkship should not be treated as an incidental learning experience, but as a deliberately structured component of medical education that prepares future physicians to work collaboratively, communicate effectively, and contribute to safer and more patient centered healthcare delivery

Risk Factors for Narcotics, Psychotropics, and Addictive Substances (NAPZA) Use in Adolescents: A Systematic Review

2026-04-24T06:38:11+07:00

The use of Narcotics, Psychotropic Substances, and Addictive Substances (NAPZA) among adolescents is a global public health issue that continues to increase. Adolescents are a vulnerable group to risky behaviors due to biological, psychological, and social changes. This study aims to identify and analyze the risk factors of NAPZA use among adolescents using a systematic review approach. The research method applied the PICO framework with literature searches conducted in PubMed and Google Scholar databases within the 2021-2025 period. A total of 148 articles were initially identified, and after the selection process, 18 articles were included as the main sources of analysis. In addition, 5 national journal articles were included as supporting references, resulting in a total of 23 analyzed articles. The data were extracted, classified, and analyzed using a scoring approach based on three categories of risk factors: individual, family, and social-environmental factors. The results indicate that the risk factors for NAPZA use among adolescents are multifactorial. Based on frequency analysis, social and environmental factors were the most dominant, appearing in 21 articles, followed by individual factors in 20 articles and family factors in 18 articles. Individual factors include depression, anxiety, low self-control, and curiosity; family factors include lack of parental supervision, family conflict, and economic conditions; while social and environmental factors include peer influence, ease of access to substances, and living environment conditions. Peer influence was identified as the most dominant and consistently reported risk factor across countries. Additionally, variations in risk factors across countries were influenced by social, cultural, and economic conditions. Therefore, NAPZA use among adolescents is a complex phenomenon that requires comprehensive and context-specific prevention approaches.