Wahyuni, Indra Yofa, Elisabeth MF Lalita, Irmasanti Fajrin, Dian Pratiwi, Atik Purwandari

The Effectiveness of Red Onion Compress Therapy and Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) on Infant Body Temperature Regulation Post-DPT Immunization in a Holistic Care Approach

Introduction

The effectiveness of red onion compress therapy and virgin coconut oil (vco) on infant body temperature regulation post-dpt immunization in a holistic care approach. Discover how red onion and VCO compresses effectively reduce infant fever post-DPT immunization. A safe, natural, non-pharmacological solution for body temperature regulation.

Abstract

Introduction Fever is one of the most common side effects of DPT immunization in infants, often causing concern among parents. Data from Puskesmas Remboken in 2023 showed that 32.6% of infants experienced Post-Immunization Adverse Events (KIPI), with fever being the most frequent at 29.5%, followed by injection site pain (8.3%), swelling (0.97%), and other reactions (0.57%). Onion compresses are a safe, natural alternative for reducing fever because the compounds they contain help lower body temperature through heat transfer. This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of a combination of red onion and Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) compresses in reducing fever in infants after DPT immunization at Puskesmas Remboken, Minahasa Regency. Method the research uses a quasi-experimental design with a one-group pretest-posttest approach. The study involved 33 infants selected using accidental sampling based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data analysis was conducted using the paired samples t-test and the experiment was conducted for ± 30 days. Result showed that the t-test yielded a p-value of 0.000 (< 0.05), indicating that the combination of red onion and VCO compresses was effective in reducing infant body temperature. Conclusion this combination therapy is an effective, safe, and easily applicable non-pharmacological method for managing fever in infants after DPT immunization. It also has the potential to reduce dependence on antipyretics and improve the quality of infant care.

Review

This study addresses a highly relevant and common clinical issue: fever in infants following DPT immunization, a concern frequently reported by parents and well-documented by local health data. The investigation into a non-pharmacological, easily accessible intervention—a combination of red onion and Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) compresses—is particularly commendable, aligning with a holistic care approach. The aim to systematically analyze the effectiveness of this traditional remedy provides valuable insights into potential alternative management strategies, which could reduce reliance on conventional antipyretics and enhance parental confidence in managing post-immunization side effects. Methodologically, the quasi-experimental one-group pretest-posttest design allows for a direct assessment of the intervention's impact on body temperature within the study cohort. The use of accidental sampling involving 33 infants over approximately 30 days provides preliminary data from a specific regional context. The finding of a statistically significant reduction in infant body temperature (p=0.000) after the application of the compress therapy strongly supports the hypothesis that this combination is effective. While the abstract proposes heat transfer as a mechanism, a more detailed discussion of the specific thermoregulatory compounds in red onion and their potential synergistic action with VCO would further strengthen the theoretical underpinning. A notable limitation, however, is the absence of a control group, which prevents definitive attribution of the observed temperature reduction solely to the intervention, as fever can spontaneously resolve or fluctuate. In conclusion, the study successfully demonstrates the short-term effectiveness of red onion and VCO compress therapy in reducing post-DPT immunization fever in infants within the studied population. The authors rightly highlight its potential as a safe, easily applicable, and non-pharmacological method, which aligns well with a holistic care approach and aims to decrease dependence on pharmacological antipyretics. To further solidify these promising findings and enhance the generalizability of the results, future research would benefit significantly from incorporating a randomized controlled trial design, comparing this therapy against standard care or a placebo, and potentially exploring long-term effects, parent satisfaction, or the specific magnitude of temperature reduction achieved. Nevertheless, this study provides a valuable foundation for integrating traditional remedies into evidence-based infant care practices and merits further investigation.

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