OBJECTIVES

The current study aimed to evaluate the impact of an interprofessional simulation-based training program on providers' perception, knowledge, and confidence in proning of pregnant patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome due to COVID -19 or other causes.

A total of 124 healthcare workers who took part in the management of patients in COVID wards and ICUs participated in the study. The simulation workshop was conducted on May 2022 and the participants were divided into interprofessional teams. Standardized patients and mannequins were used to simulate patients with ARDS. Standardized checklists for proning were used. The participants were debriefed after. The participants completed pre- and post-simulation questionnaires.

After the simulation workshop, the participants’ perception on the benefit of prone position in the ventilation of patients with ARDS, level of confidence in handling proning of pregnant patients, comfort in speaking to patient and next of kin regarding prone ventilation, and knowledge on proning significantly improved. Subgroup analysis
showed statistically significant improvements in knowledge scores among registered nurses, resident physicians, and participants with varying degrees of experience managing COVID-19 patients and proning pregnant patients. Majority of participants deemed it was easy to turn patients in the prone position using the supportive pillow as well as expressed confidence in doing the procedure.

OBJECTIVES

Timely access to appropriate levels of care is essential for improving maternal, newborn,
and child health outcomes. To address persistent service delivery fragmentation and strengthen referral systems, the Philippine Department of Health issued Administrative Order 2020-0019 to guide the design of Health Care Provider Networks (HCPNs) under the Universal Health Care Act of 2019. This study assessed the extent to which sixteen municipalities across four provinces in Eastern Visayas comply with the HCPN service delivery guidelines in the context of maternal and newborn care.

The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional mixed-methods design, utilizing structured facility checklists to assess compliance with HCPN standards. Qualitative data were gathered through key informant interviews and focus group discussions with purposively selected stakeholders—decision makers, health personnel, and mothers—to contextualize findings. A three-lever framework for integrated care (policy, operational, and cross- cutting) guided the analysis

The findings revealed significant gaps between the current capacities of study health facilities and the requirements outlined in the HCPN guidelines. Major gaps included (1) weak cooperative governance mechanisms to support network-wide coordination; (2) limited systematic linkages between facilities, including fragmented referral protocols and non-interoperable health information systems; (3) inadequate investments in infrastructure, health human resources, and medical commodities; and (4) absence of performance monitoring systems across HCPNs.

OBJECTIVES

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome among Filipino adults was found to be 12-19%. Diet has been one risk factor targeted to prevent complications. The association of each macronutrient component with metabolic syndrome remains unclear. There is no Philippine data on macronutrient intake and metabolic syndrome, thus, the primary objective of this study is to determine the association of food intake with metabolic syndrome among Filipino adults.

This study utilized a cross-sectional design. Data were taken from the results of the 8th National Nutrition and Health Survey (NNHeS). Filipino adults from different regions who consented to participate and with complete anthropometric, biochemical and food recall data were included in this study.

There were 8,056 adults included in the study. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 32%. Multivariate analysis showed that increased total protein intake (OR 1.391) and increased daily consumption of meat and poultry (OR 1.397) were associated with increased risk for metabolic syndrome. On the other hand, decreased vegetable intake was associated with increased risk for metabolic syndrome, as well as higher socioeconomic status, female sex, and old age.

ncreased total protein intake and daily consumptions of meat, poultry, and decreased vegetable intake are associated with an increased risk for metabolic syndrome.

Gout is the most common inflammatory arthritis among Filipinos, characterized by hyperuricemia leading to mono- sodium urate crystal deposition and an ensuing inflammatory response. Though typically a disorder of middle- aged and older adults, tophaceous gout presenting before the age of 30 is rare and suggests aggressive disease progression. Allopurinol, a first-line urate-lowering therapy, is generally effective but may cause rare, potentially life-threatening adverse reactions such as allopurinol hypersensitivity syndrome (AHS). Febuxostat, a non-purine xanthine oxidase inhibitor, is an alternative for patients intolerant to allopurinol. Although hypersensitivity reactions to febuxostat are extremely rare, isolated case reports document their occurrence in both patients with prior AHS and in allopurinol-naïve individuals. Hypersensitivity to both agents is exceedingly uncommon and presents a major therapeutic challenge. In such cases, febuxostat desensitization, conducted in collaboration with allergy specialists, may permit a viable solution to safely reintroduce urate-lowering therapy and prevent further disease progression. This case report describes a patient with young-onset, tophaceous gout who developed severe hypersensitivity reactions to both allopurinol and febuxostat — an unusual and challenging therapeutic dilemma. The case highlights the need for individualized management strategies, including the consideration of drug desensitization, in patients with limited urate-lowering options.

Education ; Health Education ; Global Health

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are acknowledged as key drivers in realizing health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The University of the Philippines Manila, College of Public Health (UP CPH) together with the Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health (APACPH), hosted the 53rd APACPH International Conference last 21-23 September 2022. The conference discussed current issues relating to the attainment of SDGs and promoted collaboration of leading academic institutions and other stakeholders in addressing various public health challenges. The conference revolved around the challenges and opportunities in attaining health-related SDGs, and the good practices and roles of HEIs in addressing health disparities. The lack of certificati on framework of public health tertiary programs, pedagogy and infrastructure, and ambiguous roles and network of public health professionals were discussed. The conference served as a platform for discussing potential resolutions and ways forward in addressing these challenges. Opportunities for improvement such as updating of policies and curricula, strengthening of internship and community engagement programs, establishment of capacity-building partnerships and programs, and developing multidisciplinary-competent faculty and students were identified. This paper providesthe highlights of the conference focusing on the good practices and roles of HEIs in addressing health disparities, the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, and other issues and challenges in attaining SDGs.

BACKGROUND

State universities in the Philippines should comply with the 2020 Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) standards for government workers and must be guided by the 2017 ASEAN University Network’s Healthy University Framework (HUF) for them to become healthy universities. Both policy documents identify OSH policy and programs as key components.

This study aimed to explore the challenges and opportunities in the implementation of health and safety policies and programs in a state university in the Philippines.

A case study design was used with a state university as its study site. Investigators conducted 14 key informant interviews and nine focus group discussions which were participated by system officials, campus officials, academic teaching staff, academic non-teaching Staff, support staff, and students. Thematic analysis was used to identify and understand emerging patterns and themes.

The results generated seven themes consisting of Policy and Committee, Dedicated Personnel and Unit,Budget and Technology, Collaboration, Programs and Services, Working and Learning Environment, and Role Models. The identified challenges in the implementation of health and safety programs in the university were: (1) limited budget to implement initiatives, (2) lack of collaboration among its offices, and (3) absence of a dedicated unit and staff. There were also opportunities to improve implementation: (1) strong implementation of certain policies and programs, (2) presence of a good working and learning environment, and (3) existence of role models.

The identified challenges and opportunities correspond to the elements of the system and infrastructure considered as principal determinants of a healthy university. There is a need to recognize the interrelatedness of such elements to ensure effective implementation of health and safety programs in the university. It also underscores the relevance of the HUF in promoting OSH within a university context.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The Philippine Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases implemented health protocol guidelines to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Individuals with comorbidities were advised to take precautionary measures due to their increased vulnerability. This study aimed to assess the relationship between knowledge, acceptance, and adherence to health protocols among fully vaccinated individuals with comorbidities in the National Capital Region, Philippines.

The study employed an explanatory-sequential mixed-method design. The quantitative phase involved an online survey with 384 respondents. The survey included questions on socio-demographic profile, COVID-19 knowledge, acceptability of health protocols, and adherence to preventive practices. Chi-square Test of Independence and Pearson’s Correlation Test were used to analyze the data. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 participants, providing rich insights into their personal experiences. The interview transcripts were analyzed using Colaizzi’s descriptive method with the aid of qualitative analysis software (MAXQDA), ensuring a rigorous approach to thematic analysis. The integration of the two phases was achieved by connecting quantitative results with qualitative insights, creating a comprehensive understanding of the phenomena under study.

Findings showed that the relationship of sociodemographic characteristics and level of knowledge (Gender pCONCLUSION

The study suggests that multiple factors contribute to non-adherence to health protocols. Recognizing these holes and weaknesses in the COVID-19 pandemic response stresses the need for national leaders to place urgency on properly implementing preventive measures and providing health education to the masses during public health situations. Collaboration from all sectors is crucial in addressing public health crises. This study can be a valuable resource for future researchers, local government units, and policymakers in prioritizing public health care and pandemic preparedness.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Nurses comprise the majority of the health workforce in the Philippines. Previous studies revealed that nurses manifest negative mental health outcomes exacerbated by COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to determine the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) of nurses in the Philippines and their workplace psychosocial support interventions during the pandemic. The ProQOL measures compassion satisfaction (CS), burnout (BO), and secondary traumatic stress (STS).

A self-administered online questionnaire was disseminated by the Philippine Nurses Association, Inc. to affiliated nurses via email and Facebook posts. Out of 713 responses, 239 were eligible with their data analyzed using t-test, one-way ANOVA, and post hoc pairwise multiple comparisons.

Respondents were found to have high CS (41.95 [SD 5.97]), moderate BO (23.56 [SD 6.07]), and moderate STS (26.62 [SD 8.18]). The most reported intervention was policies on confidentiality of workers’ mental health (84.94%) while the least reported was community engagements under the hospital’s mental health program (61.51%). ProQOL scores significantly differed in CS by age (p=0.011), position (p=0.044) and monthly income (p=0.016), BO by age (p=0.001) and years with current employer (p=0.009), and STS by region (p=0.017) and area of assignment (p=0.015). The existence of interventions yielded significant increase in CS and decrease in BO scores.

Nurses in the Philippines exhibit high and favorable ProQOL during the pandemic. The majority of respondents reported the presence of workplace interventions which yield significant differences in CS and BO. The findings highlight the importance of workplace psychosocial support interventions and the need to strengthen implementation.

OBJECTIVE

The competence of health workers to attend to vulnerable and marginalized populations is critical to health equity. The study determines the competence of physicians in providing health care to LGBT adolescents in a national tertiary hospital.

All physicians from the departments of Pediatrics and Family and Community Medicine were recruited. An electronic form collected demographic data and responses to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Development of Clinical Skills Scale (LGBTDOCSS).Theresponsesweresummarizedandanalyzed.

Most respondents are male, with a mean age of 34.21 years. They are mainly staff of the Department of Pediatrics and post- residency fellows. Not all recall their participation in gender sensitivity training. They report scores towards the higher end of the scale: an overall score of 5.27 and mean subscale scores of 4.43 for clinical preparedness, 6.13 for attitudinal awareness, and 5.24 for basic knowledge. The heterogeneity and pertinacity of their experiences with LGBT individuals mediate their attitudinal awareness. Attaining the level of consultant suggests a better understanding of barriers and disparities against LGBT individuals. The tool has good internal reliability.

The demographic profile of the respondents suggests their involvement in healthcare, continuing education, and staff development. They report adequate competence in providing health care to LGBT adolescents.