Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the major diseases responsible for the public health and economic crisis in low- income countries, with the Philippines as one of the eight countries in 2020 that accounted for two thirds of the new TB cases worldwide. Its three most populous regions which are the National Capital Region, Calabarzon and the Central Luzon Region reported the highest number of TB cases in 2015. One important consideration is that health care providers’ knowledge, attitude and perception regarding TB largely affects the success of TB treatment. General Objective: This study assessed the knowledge, attitude and perception among health care professionals who manage tuberculosis, using a validated questionnaire regarding drug-susceptible and drug-resistant tuberculosis in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija. Methodology: Cross-sectional study was used in this research. All health care professionals assigned in each identified health facility were asked to participate in the study. After obtaining informed consent, a self-administered questionnaire was given to all participants to answer. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were used in data analysis. Results and Discussion: A total of 113 participants were included in the study. Physicians, nurses and medical technologists were found to have good TB knowledge compared to pharmacists. Those who had training on TB DOTS were found to have good knowledge towards tuberculosis compared to those who had no training. Most participants, regardless of their profession, length of stay at TB DOTS Centers, and their training on TB DOTS, had a favorable attitude and perception towards patients infected with TB. Conclusion The lack of training may have largely contributed to the poor knowledge of HCPs which may possibly hinder the success of providing TB treatment. It is therefore of paramount consideration that prior to the HCPs’ assignment in TB DOTS centers, all HCPs must first undergo training in order to manage TB treatment properly and successfully.
Health Personnel ; Knowledge ; Attitude ; Perception ; Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant

Objective. To determine the efficacy of rTMS in decreasing body mass index (BMI) versus sham stimulation among obese Filipino patients. Methodology. This was a single-center, randomized, sham-controlled, single-blind, parallel group trial. Participants were 15-65 years old with BMI ≥30 kg/m2 and weight stable for 6 weeks. Participants were randomized to receive real rTMS or sham stimulation. Each underwent 4 sessions of stimulation over 2 weeks. Anthropometrics, total caloric intake (TCI), and VAS score for appetite were taken at baseline, 2, 4, 6, and 12 weeks. Results. A total of 31 patients were randomized with 15 to the treatment and 14 to sham stimulation completing treatment, with 2 lost to follow-up. A significant decrease in BMI was noted after 4 weeks from the start of rTMS in the treatment group, (0.6±0.6, p-value=0.001), with weight change of -1.3±1.3 kg (p-value=0.009), but was no longer observed at 6 weeks onwards. No severe adverse effects were noted. Conclusion. rTMS to the DLPFC effectively decreased BMI (0.6±0.6) and weight (-1.3±1.3 kg) from baseline to 4 weeks. At 6-12 weeks after rTMS however, there was no longer a significant difference, indicating that 4 sessions of rTMS may not be enough to produce a prolonged effect on weight loss.
weight loss ; obesity ; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation