Universal Journal of Public Health Vol. 11(4), pp. 487 - 493
DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2023.110414
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Assessing Registered Dietitians and Nutritionists' Knowledge and Barriers in Conducting Malnutrition-Related Physical Examination among Older Adults

Almira Sitasari ^1,2,*, Weni Kurdanti ^1,2, Rina Oktasari ¹, Astrid Herlinda Puspitasari ¹, Sakinah Harith ^3
1 Department of Nutrition, Politeknik Kesehatan Kementerian Kesehatan Yogyakarta, Indonesia
² Center of Excellence for Applied Technology Innovation in the Field of Public Health (PUI-NOVAKESMAS), Politeknik Kesehatan Kementerian Kesehatan Yogyakarta, Indonesia
³ School of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Gong Badak Campus, Malaysia

ABSTRACT

Life expectancy in Indonesia is improving in the last decades resulting in an aging population. Older adults are at high risk of getting micronutrient deficiency and malnutrition. The competency of registered dietitians and nutritionists (RDNs) in assessing deficiencies and malnutrition is very important so that older adults can be given appropriate nutrition interventions. This study aims to determine the practice of physical examination (NFPE) among RDNs. This study was a cross-sectional study of 97 RDNs who take care of older adults in clinical and community settings in the Special Region of Yogyakarta. Dietitians and Nutritionists were asked to complete the online self-administered questionnaire on NFPE knowledge perception and its barriers to micronutrient deficiencies, hydration, and malnutrition in older adults. Mann-Whitney analysis was used. The majority of RDNs were knowledgeable in assessing micronutrients of vitamin C (41.2%) and Fe (40.2%); hydration status on dehydration (56.7%) and edema (53.6%); and malnutrition related to fat mass (39.2%). The majority reported barriers were lack of proper training (58.8%) and insufficient time practicing NFPE (36.1%). There were differences in knowledge of physical examination related to vitamin C deficiency, hydration, dehydration, edema, ascites, muscle mass, and fat mass (p<0.05) between those who perceived and did not perceive the barrier "lack of time". Participants who perceived a lack of proper training have less knowledge of physical examination related to vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin B, vitamin C, hydration, and muscle mass (p<0.05). Barriers to "outside the scope of practice" and "confidence" were not statistically significant to NFPE practice. Specific training on NFPE is needed to increase the capacity of RDNs. A reasonable workload will allow NFPE to be carried out by RDNs.

KEYWORDS
NFPE, Barrier, Older Adults, Muscle Mass, Vitamin

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Almira Sitasari , Weni Kurdanti , Rina Oktasari , Astrid Herlinda Puspitasari , Sakinah Harith , "Assessing Registered Dietitians and Nutritionists' Knowledge and Barriers in Conducting Malnutrition-Related Physical Examination among Older Adults," Universal Journal of Public Health, Vol. 11, No. 4, pp. 487 - 493, 2023. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2023.110414.

(b). APA Format:
Almira Sitasari , Weni Kurdanti , Rina Oktasari , Astrid Herlinda Puspitasari , Sakinah Harith (2023). Assessing Registered Dietitians and Nutritionists' Knowledge and Barriers in Conducting Malnutrition-Related Physical Examination among Older Adults. Universal Journal of Public Health, 11(4), 487 - 493. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2023.110414.