Dreaded disease

In general, we all know, fear is a disease in AIDS / HIV, there are various kinds of diseases that can strike any person, whether mild or severe. But for the people of Indonesia, high cholesterol and lose the power of vision is the second most feared disease threat the next 5 years.

This is based on survey results of Health and Welfare of Indonesia or Philips Index for Health and Wellbeing 2010, which was simultaneously conducted in 30 countries around the world. Besides Indonesia, the survey was also conducted among others in Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, Belgium and Australia.

The survey results indicate that cholesterol and lose the power of vision problems or blindness was seen as a major threat to public health in the next five years.

"Changes in lifestyle may be one factor decreased vision in the human eye. Ironically, many Indonesian people who do not realize this, so the decline in the ability of vision to be a veiled threat to the people of Indonesia," said Dr. Rini Mahendrastari Singgih, SPM, Paed.Opthal from Indonesia Mahendra Eye Clinic, in the event Press Conference Indonesia Health & Wellbeing Index, at the Hotel Nikko, Jakarta, Tuesday (12/14/2010).

Another threat is feared after high cholesterol and lose the power of vision is a stroke, influenza, arthritis, cancer and heart attacks.

A survey conducted of 1,000 respondents in all cities in Indonesia also shows that 46 percent of Indonesia felt himself to be healthy and fine, so that 75 percent of respondents considered not need a doctor, even 55 percent of respondents admitted to not seek medical illness doctor.

The survey results also revealed that 4 out of 10 Indonesian men tend to seek the advice of friends and family first before visiting the doctor when sick.

Indonesia is classified as 'technology literate' and have a high enough Internet users in the world, but in fact use the Internet as a source of health information referral tergoling still low. However, pasa respondents agreed that technology can bring change for the better for life.

"Philips Report Index for Health and Wellbeing 2010 is intended to provide insight into the health and welfare of the community in Indonesia, as well as understand the perceptions and behavior related to health," said Teguh Purwanto, General Manager of Philips Healthcare.

Although Dr Prijo Sidipratomo as Chairman of the Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI) had questioned the methodology used in the survey, but the results of this survey can be believed its validity as a description of personal perception about the health of the people of Indonesia.

"These results could adequately represent the subjective perceptions of Indonesian society, though not 100 percent true and there must be some irregularities. But validation can be quite credible," said Dr Kartono Mohammad who had served as chairman of the Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI).

The results of this survey is expected to be a collective input for the government, community and health organizations about the current status and needs of patients and public health providers.