Banua: Jurnal Kesehatan Lingkungan (e-ISSN 2797-8184, p-ISSN 2797-8176) is a national online newsletter as media to communicate research results related to environmental health, environmental epidemiology, environmental health risk assessment, environmental health management, environmental health technology, environmental-based diseases, environmental toxicology, water and sanitation, waste management, vector rodent disease control and prevention, food safety and aspects of environmental health in disaster management.
Posttest Only Evaluation of Garlic Extract as Aedes aegypti Larvicide
Background: Dengue remains an important Aedes-borne disease, and Aedes aegypti is the primary vector in many endemic settings. The expansion of dengue risk, increasing insecticide resistance, and the need for environmentally acceptable vector-control options support the evaluation of plant-based larvicides. This study assessed the mortality of Aedes aegypti larvae exposed to garlic (Allium sativum) extract. Methods: A true laboratory experiment with a posttest-only control group design was conducted at the Entomology Laboratory, Department of Environmental Health, Poltekkes Kemenkes Palu, in September 2023. Third-instar Aedes aegypti larvae were allocated to six groups: control (0 ppm) and garlic extract concentrations of 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, and 1.2 ppm. Each group had four replications with 20 larvae per container (n = 480). Mortality was observed after 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 hours and analyzed descriptively. Results: No mortality occurred in the control group. Cumulative 24-hour mortality increased from 8/80 larvae (10.0%) at 0.8 ppm to 12/80 (15.0%) at 0.9 ppm, 13/80 (16.25%) at 1.0 ppm, 14/80 (17.5%) at 1.1 ppm, and 16/80 (20.0%) at 1.2 ppm. Conclusion: Garlic extract produced a concentration-related increase in Aedes aegypti larval mortality, but concentrations below 2 ppm did not produce immediate high-level larval control within 24 hours. These low-concentration findings support further studies on sublethal effects, including delayed larval development, impaired pupation, and reduced adult emergence, alongside broader concentration ranges, lethal concentration analyses, and standard positive-control comparisons
Copyright (c) 2026 Tjitrowati Djaafar, Amsal Amsal, A Bungawati, Gusman Gusman, Saharudin Saharudin https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Individual Characteristics, Workload, Shift Work, and Work Fatigue among Stevedores at Ahmad Yani Port Ternate
Background: Work fatigue is an important occupational health and safety issue in port activities because stevedoring involves manual material handling, irregular schedules, and sustained physical effort. This study aimed to identify factors associated with work fatigue among local stevedores at Ahmad Yani Port, Ternate. Methods: This analytic observational study used a cross-sectional design. The population comprised all 110 local stevedores at Ahmad Yani Port, and all were included using total sampling. Work fatigue was measured using a structured questionnaire based on the Industrial Fatigue Research Committee (IFRC) instrument. The dependent variable was work fatigue; the independent variables were age, length of employment, nutritional status, physical workload, and work shift. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 27. Univariate analysis described frequency distributions, and bivariate analysis used the chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test when assumptions were unmet, with a significance level of 0.05. Results: Most respondents were older (70.0%), had long employment duration (84.5%), had normal nutritional status (95.5%), had a light physical workload (57.3%), and experienced work fatigue (79.1%). Age (p = 0.004) and shift work (p = 0.004) were significantly associated with work fatigue, which was more frequent among older and night-shift workers. Length of employment (p = 0.972), nutritional status (p = 0.280), and physical workload (p = 0.529) were not significant. Conclusion: Age and shift work were the main factors associated with work fatigue. Prevention should prioritize age-sensitive job allocation, safer shift rotation, limiting consecutive night shifts, adequate rest, periodic health monitoring, and education.
Copyright (c) 2026 Hairul Sinta, Herwin A. Hi. Adam, Ridwan Yamko https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Risk Analysis of Escherichia coli Bacteria in Food at Cidu Market, Makassar City
Background: Foodborne diseases remain a major public health concern, particularly in settings where food hygiene and sanitation practices are inadequate. This study aimed to assess the quantitative risk of Escherichia coli contamination in street food sold at Cidu Market, Makassar City, using the Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) approach. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 10 food samples, 10 food handlers, and 100 consumers. Data were collected through direct observation, structured interviews, and laboratory examination of food samples using the Membrane Filter method to determine E. coli contamination levels. Risk characterization was performed following the QMRA framework. Results: All food samples (100%) were contaminated with E. coli, with bacterial counts ranging from 2 to 25 CFU/g. Among consumers, 19% reported health complaints after consuming food from Cidu Market, with abdominal pain as the most frequently reported symptom. QMRA results indicated that the probability of infection per day (Pinf/day), annual probability of infection (Pinf.annual), and probability of illness (Pill) were predominantly classified as high risk. Poor hygiene practices were observed among food handlers, including failure to wash hands with soap (100%), use gloves (100%), wear aprons (90%), wear face masks (80%), and wear head coverings (70%). Conclusion: The findings indicate a high risk of E. coli exposure from street food at Cidu Market. Improving food handler hygiene practices and strengthening routine food safety monitoring are essential to reduce microbial contamination and prevent foodborne diseases.
Copyright (c) 2026 Haerani Haerani, Syamsuddin Syamsuddin, Inayah Inayah https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Knowledge, Attitudes, And Home Conditions Among Tuberculosis Patients at Kamonji Public Health Center, Palu, Indonesia
Background: Tuberculosis remains a major public health problem in Indonesia. Beyond clinical management, community knowledge, attitudes, and household physical conditions are important entry points for prevention because transmission often occurs in close indoor settings. This study described the knowledge, attitudes, and physical home environment of tuberculosis patients in the working area of Kamonji Public Health Center. Methods: This quantitative descriptive study was conducted in June 2024 in the working area of Kamonji Public Health Center, Palu Barat District. The study population consisted of 110 tuberculosis patients, and 52 respondents were included based on Slovin's sample size calculation with a 10% margin of error. Data were collected using a questionnaire for knowledge and attitudes, and an observation checklist for home lighting, ventilation, and humidity. Data were analyzed descriptively using frequencies and percentages. Results: Most respondents were aged 19-40 years (40.4%), male (67.3%), and worked as private employees (38.5%). Good knowledge was found in 39 respondents (75.0%), while 37 respondents (71.2%) had a positive attitude. Regarding home physical conditions, 35 houses (67.3%) met lighting standards, 30 houses (57.7%) met ventilation standards, and 33 houses (63.5%) met humidity standards. The largest environmental gap was ventilation, with 22 houses (42.3%) failing to meet the standard. Conclusion: Most tuberculosis patients in the Kamonji Public Health Center area had good knowledge and positive attitudes, and most houses met the observed physical environmental standards. However, inadequate ventilation remained common and should be prioritized in home-based environmental health counseling, routine home visits, and community tuberculosis prevention activities.
Copyright (c) 2026 Maryam Maryam, Rini Yulianti https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Work Factors Associated with Low Back Pain Among Pedicab Drivers: A Cross-Sectional Study
Background: Pedicab drivers face prolonged sitting, repetitive pedaling, trunk stabilization, and poor seat ergonomics. This study examined associations among posture, working hours, tenure, and LBP at Pasar Inpres in Palu City. Methods: This analytic observational study used a cross-sectional design and was conducted in June 2024 at Pasar Inpres, Manonda Village, Palu Barat District, Palu City. The population comprised all pedicab drivers in the study area, and 51 respondents were recruited via a total sampling approach. LBP was defined as self-reported pain or discomfort in the lower back region at the time of data collection. Sitting posture was assessed using an observation sheet, while working hours, work tenure, and LBP were collected using questionnaires. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test when appropriate. Prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to estimate the magnitude of association. Results: LBP was reported by 38 respondents (74.5%). Non-ergonomic sitting posture was associated with LBP (PR=1.58; 95% CI: 1.08-2.31; p=0.008). Working more than 8 hours/day was also associated with LBP (PR=1.47; 95% CI: 1.04-2.09; p=0.020), as was work tenure of more than 5 years (PR=2.05; 95% CI: 1.21-3.47; p<0.001). Conclusion: LBP was common among pedicab drivers at Pasar Inpres, Palu City. Non-ergonomic sitting posture, working more than 8 hours/day, and work tenure of more than 5 years were significantly associated with LBP. Community-based occupational health programs should prioritize ergonomic sitting education, active rest, stretching, and simple seat support for pedicab drivers.
Copyright (c) 2026 Hasanudin Hasanudin, Saharudin Saharudin, Mustafa Mustafa, Dedi Mahyudin Syam, Fitri Handayani https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0