To control the spread of COVID-19 transmission, Indonesia government has broadcasted information about the pandemic. The aim of this study is to evaluate the understanding of young people, about COVID-19 during the early outbreak in Indonesia. An online-based cross-sectional data collection was conducted from adolescents aged 10 to 25 years, based on 10 questions regarding general COVID-19 information. There were 355 subjects from 25 out of 34 Indonesian provinces who participated in the study, with mean age of 19.93 ± 2.91 years. Better understanding was found in the female and higher-income population. Largely, the subjects got the information from social media, instead of the official government site for COVID-19. Lack of understanding about crucial preventive measures was found, such as handwashing and physical distancing. In conclusion, the participants have an overall moderate-good initial understanding toward COVID-19 during the early outbreak in Indonesia. These results can be used as baseline data for development of awareness measurement tools.

Background Sinovac was the first vaccine against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) used in Indonesia. However, data regarding the effects of certain variables such as clinical demographic on antibody levels in individuals vaccinated with Sinovac are scarce. We aimed to investigate the impact of gender and previous SARS-CoV-2 infection status on neutralizing antibody titers 1, 2, and 3 months after the administration of Sinovac vaccine. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to May 2021. Data on neutralizing antibody levels, previous SARS-CoV-2 infection status, and gender were retrieved from the monthly quantitative serology evaluation database of Siloam Hospitals Lippo Village, Tangerang, Indonesia. The role of each variable was analyzed using the t-test or Mann-Whitney U test depending on data distribution. Result Data from 350 participants were collected for the study. Participants with a history of positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test had significantly higher neutralizing antibody titers in the first (144 U/mL, p = 0.036) and second month (144 U/mL, p = 0.005) after vaccination compared to those without history of positive RT-PCR test. Female participants also had significantly higher neutralizing antibody titers in the first, second, and third month (43 U/mL, 42 U/mL, and 39 U/mL, respectively; p = 0.001, 0.002, and 0.003, respectively) after vaccination compared to male. Conclusion COVID-19 survivor status and the female gender are associated with higher neutralizing antibody titers after Sinovac vaccine administration.

BackgroundThe preventive measure of Coronavirus Disease pandemic, such as nationwide lockdown, might lead to stress, depression, and anxiety, prominently in adolescents. Many factors were indicated to influence its severity. This study aimed to investigate the magnitude of COVID-19-related mental health problems in adolescents and the associated factors.Methods This cross-sectional study gathered 2018 adolescents throughout Indonesia from April 22nd-28th 2020. The questionnaire was spread through social media and included Kessler-10 Psychological Distress scale and closedended questions about the risk and protective factors. The results were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Logistic Regression. ResultsThe participants were mostly males (91.8%) with a median age of 19. The results showed 54.1% experienced varying degrees of distress. All variables were significantly related with psychological distress during Mann-Whitney-U and Kruskal-Wallis test. The logistic regression analysis showed maintaining or improving dietary pattern and sleep quality was found to be protective against psychological distress (OR = 0.497,95%CI = 0.34-0.725 and OR = 0.515,95%CI = 0.372-0.714, respectively), while others were risk factors, i.e.: Not having a confidant (OR = 1.539,95%CI = 1.226-1.931), frequent argument with parents (OR = 1.735,95%CI = 1.343-2.24), feeling worried (OR = 2.364, 95%CI1.528-3.656), chronic diseases (OR = 2.601,95%CI = 1.468-4.606), and mental illnesses (OR = 9.866,95%CI = 3.855-25.249). ConclusionMore than half of adolescents experienced distress. The findings called for initiatives by experts in providing psychosocial support for adolescents.

In light of the current vaccination programs being implemented worldwide, this study aimed to evaluate the determinants of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine acceptance in Sumatra, Indonesia. According to a COVID-19 vaccine acceptance survey conducted in Indonesia by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), published in November 2020, Sumatra is among the places having lower COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rates, with Aceh Province displaying the lowest level of vaccine acceptance. Thus, a cross-sectional study was conducted, and a logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors affecting COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Out of 368 respondents who participated in the survey, 143 (38.9%) accepted the vaccine, and 225 (61.1%) refused it. Vaccine safety concerns constituted the most reported reason for refusal (43.6%). This study also found that province of residence and basic immunization status were determinants of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Sumatra. Concerns regarding vaccine safety might be the reason for the low level of vaccination in Sumatra. Increased education and encouragement from healthcare professionals and regional authority figures can alleviate public concerns and improve vaccine acceptance.

Purpose As coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to spread rapidly causing approximately 186 million confirmed cases around the world, the urgency to reach herd immunity through vaccination is increasing. However, vaccine safety is a top priority to limit the occurrence of adverse events. Henceforth, this study aims to recognize and perceive COVID-19 vaccine safety in Indonesia during the pandemic. Materials and Methods This is a cross-sectional study and was conducted in Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic using an online survey of demographic information and a qualitative questionnaire. Responses were recorded and the association between demographic characteristics from survey questions was tested using chi-square with a risk estimate and 95% confidence interval. Results A total of 311 participants from 33 out of 34 provinces in Indonesia participated in this study. Recorded responses showed multiple side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine both short- and long-term experienced by the participants. Significant associations were found between demographic factors and COVID-19 vaccine side effects such as female gender with short-term puncture site (odds ratio [OR], 0.463; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.263–0.816) and short-term other reactions (OR, 0.463; 95% CI, 0.263–0.816), domicile outside Java island with long-term puncture site (OR, 4.219; 95% CI, 1.401–12.701) and immune reactions (OR, 3.375; 95% CI, 1.356–8.398), also between married marital status and long-term vagal reaction (OR, 4.655; 95% CI, 1.321–16.409). Conclusion Gender, domicile and marital status factors were associated with COVID-19 vaccine side effects in Indonesian people.