PERAN KUALITAS ASUPAN NUTRISI PADA MAHASISWA KEDOKTERAN PERANTAU DENGAN RIWAYAT GANGGUAN GUT HEALTH AKIBAT INFEKSI PROTOZOA USUS

Abstract

Intestinal protozoal infections remain a significant global health problem, particularly in developing countries with suboptimal sanitation. This condition has the potential to worsen gut health, which is heavily influenced by the balance of the gut microbiome and the quality of nutritional intake. Migrant medical students are a vulnerable group due to lifestyle changes, academic pressure, and a diet that tends to be irregular and low-quality. This study aims to analyze the relationship between nutritional intake quality and gut health disorders caused by intestinal protozoal infections in migrant medical students at Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa University (Untirta). The method used was a systematic review of 25 relevant articles. The results showed that the nutritional intake quality of migrant students is generally suboptimal, characterized by low macronutrient and micronutrient adequacy, low dietary diversity, and high fast food consumption. These conditions contribute to gut microbiome dysbiosis and weaken the mucosal immune system, thereby increasing susceptibility to protozoan infections such as Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica. Theoretically, this relationship can be explained through the complex interactions between nutrition, immunity, and infection, including the concepts of Nutritional Parasitology and the Gut-Brain Axis. Protozoal infections further worsen nutritional status through impaired absorption, creating a self-perpetuating cycle of malnutrition. It was concluded that inadequate nutritional intake plays a significant role in increasing the risk of gut health disorders in out-of-town medical students. Therefore, preventive interventions based on nutrition education and improved campus environmental hygiene are needed.