GridHealth.ID – In the midst of the current Covid-19 pandemic situation, Indonesia still has to struggle to handle cases tuberculosis (TBC). The number of TB cases in Indonesia is still relatively high.
The World Health Organization (WHO) report entitled Global TB Report WHO 2021 shows that Indonesia is a country with the highest number of patients TBC 3rd largest in the world after China and India.
It is known, there are as many as 824,000 new TB cases per year, with the death rate reaching 98,000 cases or equivalent to 11 deaths per hour in Indonesia.
Unfortunately, the Indonesian people’s understanding of TBC not completely even. The reason is, there is still a lot of wrong information and myths about TB circulating in the community.
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In addition to creating a negative stigma towards TB patients, disinformation and myths often discourage people from going to health facilities. In fact, not a few TB patients feel inferior and ashamed to undergo treatment.
This was conveyed by the Sub-Coordinator of the TB Substance of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemenkes RI), Dr. Endang Lukitosari, MPH, in webinar entitled “Unpacking the Myths of TB, Correct Information Help Quick Handling”, Thursday (24/3/2022).
For your information, webinar hosted by Stop TB Partnership Indonesia (STPI) together with Grid Health was held in the framework of World Tuberculosis Day which is commemorated every 24 March.
“Our society often considers TB to be spots or wet lungs. They don’t want it to be called TB. However, the two are different. TB is caused by a bacterial infection called Mycobacterium tuberculosis“said Dr. Endang.
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Although generally attacking the lungscontinued Dr. Endang, TB bacteria can also attack other organs in the body, such as the digestive system, lymph nodes, membranes of the brain, bones, and nerves. kidney.
TB conditions that attack organs other than the lungs are called extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Symptoms also vary, depending on the organ affected by the infection.
“Sometimes people get confused, why not cough but diagnosed (affected by) TB. This disease can infect the whole body. So, we really have to be able to recognize the symptoms of TB and don’t hesitate to see a doctor,” said Dr. Endang.
According to Dr. Endang, TB has some common symptoms, such as a prolonged cough for 14 days or more, fever, chest pain, night sweats, and loss of appetite.
If not treated immediately, TB bacterial infection can cause more severe symptoms. In addition, irregular treatment can also cause TB bacteria to become resistant to drugs, making it more difficult to treat.
In line with Dr. Endang, the Chairperson of the Indonesian Care Association, Ani Herna Sari, S.IP, M.Med.Kom said that it cannot be denied that TB is still a disease that is underestimated by the public.
For information, Ani is one of the survivors Drug Resistant TB (TBRO). Patients with this type of TB have a condition in which the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the body is immune to the drug.
“I had time” shock because I just found out that there are many types of TB. For the TB (type) I experienced, in 2011, the treatment period was from 19 to 24 months, accompanied by routine injections of at least 6 months, “said Ani.
Also Read: How to Take the Right TB Drugs, Avoid Side Effects and Effectively Cure
During the course of treatment, Ani also often experienced several side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. However, thanks to regular treatment, Ani was declared cured in 2013.
“One of the important factors so that treatment (TB) can be completed is the support of the people around us. If from the beginning there was no support from the people around, usually treatment (patients) could drop out,” said Ani.
This is what prompted Ani to establish an organization for TB RO survivors, Rekat Peduli Indonesia. Through this organization, Ani and other TB RO survivors provide assistance for TB RO patients for assistance and treatment.
“The side effects of TB RO treatment range from mild to severe, but sometimes there are patients who are still hesitant and shy to consult a doctor. For that, we provide consultation assistance to doctors so that they get the right treatment, “explained Ani.
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He also firmly refuted one of the myths that TB disease can be transmitted through eating utensils used by TB patients.
“Many say that TB can be transmitted through eating utensils. I have consulted several doctors, in fact this is not true,” said Ani.
Prevent TB with one solution
On the same occasion, STPI Executive Director Dr Henry Diatmo, MKM said that Indonesian people’s understanding of TB is still relatively low.
This is evidenced by the results of the STPI survey of 100 respondents. In the survey, respondents were asked to answer what information they knew about TB.
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“From the survey results, (found) half of the respondents do not understand what TB is. Many think that coughing is just coughing. All you have to do is take the medicine and then get better,” said Dr Henry.
For this reason, STPI together with the Indonesian Ministry of Health held a digital campaign #141CekTBC with tagline “14 Days of Unrelieved Cough? 1 Solution, Check Doctor Immediately!”.
Through this campaign, STPI provides easy access to information about TB, ranging from symptoms, treatment, to recommendations for health services. All of this information can be accessed through the website https://141.stoptbindonesia.org.
The public can also ask questions through the features chat automatically available on the website and get direct answers directly real-time.
Also Read: Don’t let TB disease spread widely, here are 8 ways to prevent it
In the #141CekTBC campaign, STPI also collaborated with a number of influence and a public figure as an Indonesian TB Ambassador. Among others, Dr. Reisa Broto Asmoro, Dr. Tirta, Andre Taulany, and Raditya Dika.
Doctor Henry hopes that the Indonesian TB Ambassador can campaign for information about TB more broadly and build public awareness to be more sensitive to the symptoms of TB, both for themselves and those around them.
“There are two messages that we want to convey in the #141CekTBC campaign. First, don’t take it lightly cough. Second, immediately deal with (cough) with one solution, namely to check with a doctor,” he said.
14 Days of Cough Not Letting Go? 1 Solution, Check Doctor Immediately!
For more information about campaign #141CekTB, visit the website https://141.stoptbindonesia.org, https://tbindonesia.or.id, Twitter @tbcIndonesia, as well as Facebook and YouTube Stop TB Partnership Indonesia.
Service #141CekTBC can also be accessed via WhatsApp at +628119961141.
