NUTRITION AND HEALTH: COMPANION ANIMAL APPLICATIONS: Functional nutrition in livestock and companion animals to modulate the immune response

Advances in the understanding of how the immune system functions in response to diet have altered the way we think about feeding livestock and companion animals on both the short (weeks/months) and long-term (years) timelines; however, depth of research in each of these species varies. Work dedicated to understanding how immune function can be altered with diet has revealed additional functions of required nutrients such as vitamins D and E, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and minerals such as zinc, while feed additives such as phytogenics and probiotics add an additional layer of immunomodulating potential to modern diets. For certain nutrients such as vitamin D or omega-3 PUFA, inclusion above currently recommended levels may optimize immune function and reduce inflammation, while for others such as zinc, additional pharmacological supplementation above requirements may inhibit immune function. Also to consider is the potential to over-immunomodulate, where important functions such as clearance of microbial infections may be reduced when supplementation reduces the inflammatory action of the immune system. Continued work in the area of nutritional immunology will further enhance our understanding of the power of nutrition and diet to improve health in both livestock and companion animals. This review collects examples from several species to highlight the work completed to understand how nutrition can be used to alter immune function, intended or not.

Effect of Patients Behavior and Family Health Companion Role on Hypertension Complication Occurrence

ABSTRACT Various efforts of hypertension complications prevention have been carried out properly but the prevalence of hypertensive complications in NTT Province is still very high. The study aimed to determine the effect of patient behavior and family health companion role on the incidence of hypertension complications. The study was carried out in the work area of Sikumana Health Center in Kupang City with a case-control design. A total of 40 case samples and 40 control samples were taken by simple-random sampling. Data were analyzed by bivariate (simple logistic-regression) and multivariate (multiple-logistic regression), with significant values ​​of α <0.05 and OR> 1. The results showed that 70% of patients experienced Non-Hemorrhagic Stroke (SNH) complications and 30% experienced complications of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). The results of the knowledge factor analysis (α=0.000, OR=4.775), attitude (α=0.998, OR=1.876), practice (α=0.000, OR=18.599), family health officer (α=0.000, OR=15.13) and simultaneously the practices of the patient (α=0.000, OR=17.233). There was a significant influence on patient knowledge, patient practices, and family health companion role on the incidence of hypertensive complications. The most influential variable was the patient's practices. Patients who had poor behavior had a risk of 17.233 times greater of complications of hypertension. Keywords : behavior of patients, family health companion role, complications of hypertension ABSTRAK Beragam upaya untuk mencegah komplikasi hipertensi, telah dilaksanakan dengan baik. Namun prevalensi komplikasi hipertensi di NTT masih sangat tinggi. Penelitian bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh perilaku pasien dan peran pendamping kesehatan keluarga pada kejadian komplikasi hipertensi. Penelitian dilakukan di wilayah kerja Puskesmas Sikumana Kota Kupang dengan desain kasus-kontrol. Sebanyak 40 sampel kasus dan 40 sampel kontrol, diambil secara simple-random-sampling. Data dianalisis bivariat (regresi-logistic-sederhana) dan multivairiat (regresi-logistic-berganda), dengan nilai signifikan α<0,05 dan OR>1. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan 70% pasien mengalami komplikasi Stroke Non Haemoragik (SNH) dan 30% mengalami komplikasi Coronary Artery Diseases (CAD). Hasil analisis faktor pengetahuan (α=0,000, OR=4,775), sikap (α=0,998, OR=1876), tindakan (α=0,000, OR=18,599), peran pendamping kesehatan keluarga (α=0,000, OR=15,13), dan secara simultan tindakan pasien (α=0,000, OR=17,233). Ada pengaruh signifikan antara pengetahuan pasien, praktek/tindakan pasien, dan peran pendamping kesehatan keluarga terhadap kejadian komplikasi hipertensi. Variabel yang paling berpengaruh adalah praktek/tindakan pasien. Pasien yang memiliki praktek/tindakan kurang baik memiliki risiko 17,233 kali lebih besar terjadi komplikasi hipertensi. Kata Kunci : perilaku pasien, peran pendamping kesehatan keluarga, komplikasi hipertensi

Health Companion Project: A community-based participatory research model for health promotion in Iran

A 4-year (2008–2011) community-based participatory research was implemented in the Kohgiloyeh and Boyerahmad province, Iran. A steering committee was established from academics, policy makers, health officials, and representatives of health sectors. This committee selected six regions within Boyerahmad and Dena counties based on administrative divisions. Health companions consisting of stakeholders, academics, local leaders, health providers, and public representatives were established to guide the project in each region. The health companion groups were enabled by attending workshops dealing with need assessment, priority setting, and research methodology. Health companion groups adopted a Planned Approach to Community Health (PATCH) methodology including community mobilization for data collection, health priority setting, developing of a comprehensive intervention plan, and evaluation. A list of main health issues and their priorities for each region was provided. Subsequently, research topics were determined and six surveys and intervention programs were planned and implemented. After intervention most of top priority health risk factors were decreased and the preventive programs that targeted risk factors were increased significantly. This project is found to be an effective approach for building stronger partnerships between researchers and community members for the development of effective solutions for local health concerns and promote public health.