Vol. 22 No. 1, Page 1-36

January 1, 2003

Ergonomic application for individual workers at the workplace

By Ridwan Harrianto

Ergonomics is an applied science that relates to the mutual interaction between the worker and the work system, which includes the organization, the environment and the workplace, the job and the task, the equipment and the tools used. Thus, ergonomics requires knowledge of various disciplines so that we are able to favorably influence individual work interface, which is concerned with both medical scientific disciplines such as anatomy, biomechanics, physiology, psychology and knowledge of other areas such as environmental aspects, engineering design and work organization. It is easy to overlook the fact that the physically stressed in the workplace may be imposed both internally or externally. The application of the ergonomic in the work place attempt to optimize the fit between an individual and the task that the individual is undertaking, in order to minimize undue stress, stress, preserve the health of the workforce, and improve task performance. The role of ergonomics in designing system is not limited to primary prevention with respect to occupational health problems, it is also involved in many rehabilitation programmes in industry to deal with the multiple factors which promote general and musculoskeletal fitness.

Language : Indonesia

Esophageal varices ligation with rubber band endoscopy of hepatic cirrhosis adult patients

By A. Nurman

Binding ligation of oesophageal varices per endoscopy (EVL) is rapidly gaining popularity because it has the same effectivity as endoscopic sclerotherapy (EST) for the treatment of acute bleeding from oesophageal varices in patients with cirrhosis of the liver (LC), with less complication, less tendency of rebleeding, lower mortality and eradication of varices is achieved more rapidly. A prospective  study was conducted to evaluate the effect of EVL for the treatment of acute bleeding from oesophageal varices in LC. After 7-10 days, EVL was repeated in big residual varices. During a period of 20 months, EVL was performed in 16 patients with oesophageal varices bleeding and the study showed that in 10 patients the variceal obliteration was achieved after one session, and three sessions in five patients. In all patients, very small ulcer occurred and disappeared rapidly within 7-10 days; however, varices occurred again 2-3 months post EVL. Compared to EST, less complication occurred in EVL and eradication of varices is achieved more rapidly.

Language : Indonesia

Household garbage management: participation of housewives in Banjarsari Village, West Cilandak District South Jakarta

By Nugroho Abikusno

The objective of this study was to determine household garbage management specifically participation of housewives in Banjarsari village West Cilandak district South Jakarta. The instrument used was a standardized questionnaire. A proportional random sample was taken from 8 sub-villages of a total of 218 households. The housewives were categorized as active or inactive group based on their level of participation in household garbage management namely doing composting for active (n=21) and those only separating garbage and disposing of garbage or doing nothing at all for inactive group (n=50). Active housewives were aged >50 years and not working, while inactive housewives were between 36-50 years and working. Other demographic indicators were similar. More than ninety percent (95%) of active housewives were self-motivated to manage household disposal, while inactive housewives had to take care of children and do other household chores or were busy at work (88%). Approximately seventy percent (71%) of active housewives had significantly good knowledge on garbage disposal compared to only 22% of inactive housewives (p < .05). Distance of garbage disposal to active housewives residence (10-50 m) was significantly closer than inactive housewives (> 50 m; p < .05). Active housewives participated more in community meetings (twice monthly) compared to inactive housewives (never; p < .05). Active housewives had never been visited, while inactive housewives had been visited by the local health provider, however, the difference was not significant.

Language : English

Profile of lung function test in pediatric asthma patients

By Edi Setiawan Tehuteru

        Asthma is a repeated wheezing and/or persistent cough with characteristics such as periodic episodes in the night/early in the morning, seasonal, after physical activities, and having a history of asthma in the family or other atophy in the patient and/or other family members. Lung function test is a supporting examination to diagnose asthma. In most of asthma cases, the result of the lung function test shows an obstructive type of interrupted ventilation. This is a descriptive study with data taken from medical records. The subjects are asthma patients at the Children Pulmonologic Out-patient Clinic - Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital. Lung function was tested at SUDDHAPRANA Children Asthma Center during the year 2001 involving 100 children, however, only 71 children were diagnosed as having episodic asthma. Asthma patients whose lung function was examined showed that 68% were male, 54% were between 10-14 years of age, 56% were classified as rare episodic asthma, and 31% were normal. Thirty-two percent of the boys were classified obstructive, and 25% of girls were classified as restrictive. Twenty-five percent of children 6-9 years of age were classified obstructive, 26% of children 10-14 years of age were obstructive and combination, and 35% of children of 15-19 years old were obstructive. Thirty-three percent of children with rare episode were obstructive, 35% of frequent episode were obstructive and 100% of persistent asthma were obstructive. The lung function test in children with asthma can be obstructive, restrictive or combination type of interrupted ventilation.

Language : Indonesia

Autism: current concepts

By Suharko Kasran

Autism is basically a developmental disorder. An autistic person will have significant difficulties in several areas of his or her development. The areas most affected are communication, social interaction and behavior. In communication, autism affects the ability of a person to understand the meaning and purpose of body language and the spoken and written words. Social interaction of an autistic individual is impaired. For an autistic, being sociable is difficult, scary and confusing. The impairments in communication and social interaction produce a range of behaviors that have become linked with autism spectrum disorders, these may include speech disorder, sensory sensitivities, insistence on sameness, obsessions and tantrum. Correct diagnosis depends on an accurate developmental history focused on types of behavior typical of autism and on the evaluation of current functional skills. No drug or other treatment cures autism, and many patients do not require medication. However, psychotropic drugs that target specific symptoms may help substantially.

Language : Indonesia

Role of free radicals on several pulmonary diseases

By Halim Danusantoso

Several free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been discussed including its physiologic actions and destructive effects. It turns out that ROS is the primary source of oxidants in the human body. Its undesired effect is neutralized by antioxidants. As such a delicate dynamic biological balance between the potentially destructive effects of ROS and the protective effects of antioxidants becomes established. Several endogenic as well as exogenic factors influencing this delicate balance are also discussed, including several lung diseases which might be caused if there is a dominance of the destructive effects of ROS. These diseases are chronic bronchitis, COPD, emphysema, asthma, fibrosis and cancer.

Language : Indonesia