Abstract
As the COVID-19 pandemic hit worldwide in the early 2020, people were urged to alter their behavior to prevent disease spread, thus, led to change water intake. This study aimed to analyze water and beverage intake among health workers and general workers during COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia. This study was a comparative descriptive study where the participants were 20–45-year-old health workers and general workers in Indonesia. Data collected included demographic, water and beverage intake, physical activity, nutrient intake, and body weight and height. All data collection was obtained online using self-reported questionnaire. Water intake data was collected for 7 days consecutively using a 7-day fluid record. There were 246 participants comprised of 102 (41.5%) general workers and 144 (58.5%) health workers who were analyzed in this study. All participants showed barely adequate intake of daily total fluid 1,882 (1,473–2,433) ml/day. Total fluid intake among general workers was 1,759 (1,447–2,396) ml/day, whereas in health workers it was slightly higher 1,939 (1,516–2,446) ml/day (p-value = 0.378). Among health workers who were highly exposed to patients with COVID-19 showed the highest percentage in drinking water adequately (20 participants, 60.6%) compared to health workers who worked under moderate (29 participants, 48.3%) and low (24 participants, 47.2%) level of exposure to patients with COVID-19. In conclusion, workers need to improve their daily fluid intake. This study also showed better behavior of water consumption among health workers compared to general workers despite of their strict personal protection equipment during working hour.
Highlights
This comparative descriptive study was conducted among healthcare workers and general workers in Indonesia
The median Body mass index (BMI) shown by general worker and health worker was 22.8 (20.2–26.0) and 23.5 (21.2–27.5), respectively
This study showed there was a significant difference of knowledge level between workers group regarding hydration and health where health workers were more likely to come with better knowledge scores
Summary
60–70% of adult human body composition comprises water. With the prominent function of water in the body, its presence is irreplaceable. Water acts as body fluid that forms cells, body thermal regulator, solvent in most reaction, lubricant, and transporter [1]. Behavior of low water intake showed impacts in metabolism impairment. Low water intake was proven associated with kidney stone and urinary tract infection [5]. Regular adequate water intake acts as protective factor of chronic kidney disease [6]. Some studies showed association between adequate water intake and body weight improvement and lower risk of overweight [7–9]. Enhörning et al reported that water supplementation is potential for diabetes mellitus prevention among low drinker [10]
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