BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Barangay Health Workers (BHW) are a crucial part of the local health system. Health services at the barangay level are heavily dependent on BHWs. However, despite their significant role in the local health system, support has been minimal and not commensurate with their contributions. The study aimed to identify the perceived external and internal factors that affect the performance of BHWs.

The study identified the BHW-perceived external and internal factors affecting performance, through mixed quantitative and qualitative methods. A self-administered questionnaire with a 4-point Likert scale that will assess the factors was given to 561 BHWs from five different upland municipalities of Cavite. A focus group discussion using open-ended questions was conducted to gain an in-depth understanding of their experiences. Emerging themes were reported into narratives.

BHWs maintained a strong level of participation at required health activities, but more than half were often late, owing to their volunteer status and external responsibilities. They were perceived to have a high sense of duty reflected by punctual submission of reports and confidence in delivering health services. Job satisfaction emerged as a substantial motivator while burnout was not a significant demotivator. Leadership and support from local government and health program management were perceived positively by most BHWs. Service delivery confidence was high among BHWs as reflected in their capability to provide expected services. BHWs perceived that challenges were present in terms of the adequacy of medicines and supplies, and on data transmission, although half were generally satisfied with the organization of health records. Human resources were perceived to be sufficient. Financial aspects showed that while most BHWs do not contribute personally to patient care, a significant minority shell out resources for patients, reflecting financial strains within the health system. The study also revealed the varying motivations for volunteering, including community service, staff shortages, knowledge acquisition, and additional income.

External and internal factors affect the performance of BHWs at the local level. These were related to current health systems, political climate, personal household duties, and financial status. Despite facing these challenges, the BHWs showed commendable involvement in local health programs. BHWs remained motivated through training opportunities and positive community feedback but were hindered by a lack of health science knowledge and the need for supplementary income.

BACKGROUND

High-risk areas in the Philippines still experience a high prevalence of undernutrition. The efforts of the governments are not enough to reach those who are in need; hence, the presence of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) is crucial. One CSO has implemented health and nutrition technical programs to increase the number of well-fed children in four selected areas in the Philippines.

This study aims to shed light on the differences in the nutritional status of the children when they are characterized according to their sociodemographic and economic covariates.

An analytical cross-sectional design was used to survey 692 households, including 764 children aged 0–5 years old. Descriptive analysis and the Chi-Square test of difference were used to answer the objectives.

The study results show that no significant differences were observed when the nutritional status of the children was characterized according to the sociodemographic of the caregiver, food consumption score (FCS) and food security status, water, hygiene and sanitation (WASH) practices, and economic indicators, except weight-for-height and marital status of caregivers, and weight-for-age and livelihood and economic support received by their caregivers (P = 0.02).

The majority of children, regardless of their nutritional status, share the same experience and resources in terms of sociodemographics of caregivers, FCS and food security status, WASH practices, and economic indicators. CSO can boost the impact of their health and nutrition interventions by harmonizing their efforts with government programs, leading to better-targeted and more efficient outcomes.

The Supreme Court decision on the Mandanas-Garcia petition regarding the internal revenue allocation given to local government units is a significant ruling in strengthening the concept of decentralized governance and delivery of services. While the ruling grants local government greater resources and financial support, the immediate implication is the full devolution of services defined in the Local Government Code, including health services. The urgent concern is how much the Mandanas Ruling will affect local health systems. This paper presents some existing and foreseeable issues surrounding the implementation of the Mandanas Ruling in relation to the current devolved healthcare system. In particular, challenges in implementing the ruling in relation to health devolution, the local health system process, and the Universal Health Care Act are discussed. Some concrete action points for addressing these issues are also posited for policy-makers and implementors to consider in order to ensure not just the smooth and efficient implementation of the ruling but also the continuity of care for Filipinos.

Medical test results are indispensable and important tools in diagnosis and treatment services. It is necessary to promote the homogenization of test results first, because homogenization is the basis for mutual recognition of test results. Mutual recognition of medical test results can help share resources among medical institutions, provide more reliable test results for early prevention, screening and treatment of diseases, and reduce repeated tests, thus improving people's medical experience. In recent years, with the deepening of medical system reform and the promotion of graded diagnosis and treatment, governments have continuously introduced policies of mutual recognition of test results around country. However, homogenization is a prerequisite for mutual recognition of test results, with the emergence of intelligent medicine in the era of internet big data, opportunities and challenges coexist in the development of homogeneity management. In the future, the homogeneity of medical test results will present a trend of digitalization, automation, informatization and intelligence.
Humans ; Big Data ; Government ; Internet

In the context of the implementation of Healthy China Strategy, universal health management is an effective approach to promote the construction of the chain of social health governance system of"prevention, treatment, and management". This paper composes the connotations and main characteristics of universal health management from five aspects: coverage, resource input, service content, management mode, and expected results, with a view to providing reference for the clarification of the connotation of universal health management and related practices.
Humans ; China ; Population Health Management ; Government

Medical test results are indispensable and important tools in diagnosis and treatment services. It is necessary to promote the homogenization of test results first, because homogenization is the basis for mutual recognition of test results. Mutual recognition of medical test results can help share resources among medical institutions, provide more reliable test results for early prevention, screening and treatment of diseases, and reduce repeated tests, thus improving people's medical experience. In recent years, with the deepening of medical system reform and the promotion of graded diagnosis and treatment, governments have continuously introduced policies of mutual recognition of test results around country. However, homogenization is a prerequisite for mutual recognition of test results, with the emergence of intelligent medicine in the era of internet big data, opportunities and challenges coexist in the development of homogeneity management. In the future, the homogeneity of medical test results will present a trend of digitalization, automation, informatization and intelligence.
Humans ; Big Data ; Government ; Internet

In the context of the implementation of Healthy China Strategy, universal health management is an effective approach to promote the construction of the chain of social health governance system of"prevention, treatment, and management". This paper composes the connotations and main characteristics of universal health management from five aspects: coverage, resource input, service content, management mode, and expected results, with a view to providing reference for the clarification of the connotation of universal health management and related practices.
Humans ; China ; Population Health Management ; Government

Obesity has become a global public health problem that seriously threatens population health. The Chinese government has attached great importance to prevent and control the negative impacts of obesity on individuals, families and society. China has established a policy system for obesity, and made certain achievements in behavioral intervention, drug treatment, traditional Chinese medicine treatment, and surgical treatment. This study summarizes the prevention and treatment experience of obesity in China in order to provide reference for African countries to better formulate prevention and treatment strategies for obesity in line with their local context.
Asian People ; China/epidemiology* ; Government ; Humans ; Obesity/prevention & control* ; Public Health

Objective: To analyze the mortality level and tendency of road traffic injury in Shandong province from 2012 to 2020. Methods: Based on the data of road traffic deaths from the cause of death registration system in Shandong province from 2012 to 2020, the mortality rates of road traffic injury were calculated by sex, age, area, and injury type. The mortality was standardized based on the age structure of the Chinese population in the sixth Population Census in 2010. The annual percent change (APC) and average annual percent change (AAPC) of the mortalities and the standarized mortalities were calculated by using Joinpoint regression model, and the trends were also examined. Results: In 2020, the crude mortality of road traffic injury in Shandong Province was 15.58/100 000, and the standardized mortality was 12.90/100 000. From 2012 to 2020, the standardized mortality of road traffic injury in Shandong province showed a downward trend with AAPC of -5.4%. The standardized mortality of middle-south mountain areas, male and children aged 0-14 years in Shandong showed a significantly decreasing trend with AAPC of -6.8%, -6.1% and -6.0%, respectively. The standardized mortality of people aged 65 years and over did not decrease significantly, but the number of deaths increased significantly by 50.96% in 2020 (5 780 cases), compared with those in 2012 (3 829 cases). The standardized mortality of pedestrian and motorcyclists decreased significantly with AAPC of -7.5% and -6.7%, respectively. There was no significant change in the standardized mortality among people who rode motor vehicles or bicycles. Conclusion: From 2012 to 2020, the standardized mortality of road traffic injury in Shandong Province showed an obvious downward trend, but the standardized mortality of people aged 65 years and over did not decrease significantly. In the future, it is still necessary to take government-led, multi-sectoral collaboration, with a focus on comprehensive preventive measures, to further reduce road traffic injury mortality.
Accidents, Traffic ; Asian People ; Child ; Government ; Humans ; Male ; Mortality ; Motor Vehicles

This study analyzed the characteristics and change trend of Guangzhou citizens' demands related to vaccination through government hotlines 12345 and 12320 from 2018 to 2020. It understood the hotspots and needs of the public for vaccination work, analyzed the problems existing in vaccination work, and provided reference and suggestions for health departments to improve vaccination services and formulate relevant policies: to timely improve the professional ability and knowledge reserve of hotline personnel; to strengthen the construction of vaccination service system;to optimize the appointment vaccination service application; to scientifically purchase HPV vaccine and ensure the production and supply of vaccine.
Government ; Hotlines ; Humans ; Papillomavirus Vaccines ; Vaccination