Objectives: This study aims to (1) determine the cardiovascular risk of persons with hypertension and diabetes attending hypertension/diabetic clinics or hypertension/health club meetings in the AMIGA (Alfonso, Mendez, Indang, General Emilio Aguinaldo and Amadeo) municipalities of Cavite; (2) suggest measures to improve the cardiovascular disease (CVD) program in these municipalities using the results of the study. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on patients diagnosed with hypertension and/or diabetes who are attending clinics or club meetings in the barangays of the five AMIGA municipalities of Cavite. Participants were interviewed using an abbreviated version of the World Health Organization (WHO) STEPS questionnaire on risk factors. The participants’ anthropometric measurements were obtained and their total blood cholesterol levels determined. CVD risk was then estimated using the WHO / International Society of Hypertension (ISH) risk prediction chart for the Western Pacific Region B. Results: 1,032 participants from 27 barangays qualified for the study. Participants were predominantly female (74%); over-all mean age was 58.43 years. The majority of the participants (79.17%) were found to be in the low-risk group; 11.34% were in the moderate risk group; 4.46% were in the high-risk group; while 5.05% were in the very high-risk group. Majority of the participants were also found to be obese. Mean total cholesterol was 207.02 mg/dl. Conclusion Majority of participants were stratified in the low-risk category (<10% chance to have cardiovascularevents in the next 10 years), while 9.5% were in the high-risk category (≥20% risk). Obesity is a major risk factor that could be addressed in this population.
Cardiovascular Diseases ; Risk Assessment ; World Health Organization

Objective: This study aims to determine the prevalence of risk factors of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in 16 barangays of the AMIGA municipalities of Cavite. Methods: The research is a cross-sectional study. Randomly chosen participants were interviewed using a translated version of the WHO Steps questionnaire. Interviewees were then invited to participate in another session where their anthropometric measurements were taken and their fasting blood sugar and cholesterol levels were determined. Results: The research was done in 12 out of the 16 targeted barangays. A total of 1,527 participants were interviewed and 1,123 of them completed the study. The most significant findings in all 12 barangays were a very high rate of passive smoking (range of 60-80%); a relatively high proportion of respondents with obesity by all 3 parameters (BMI 29-52%; waist circumference 42-78%; and waist-to-hip ratio 41-78%) despite sufficient intake of fruits and vegetables and more than adequate physical activity; and a high proportion of participants with hypertension (more than 30% in 8 out of 12 barangays) and diabetes mellitus (more than 8% in 7 out of 12 barangays). Conclusion A high prevalence of risk factors of NCDs, particularly obesity, hypertension, and diabetes was found in the 12 barangays of AMIGA that participated in the study. Results of this study should provide the baseline data against which the success of an ongoing program in the area can be measured.
Cities ; Noncommunicable Diseases ; World Health Organization ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Risk Factors

Objective. The present study aims to correlate the LGU list of PhilHealth Sponsored Members in a municipality of Batangas with the list of poor residents as identified by the Participatory Action Research (PAR) methodology. Method. Interview of key informants documented the processes utilized by the LGU in determining PhilHealth beneficiaries for the Sponsored Program and the Participatory Action Research (PAR) survey in the classification of households into poor, middle and rich in four barangays of the municipality. The list of LGU Sponsored members was then cross matched with the PAR household classification. Results. The comparison of the LGU list of Sponsored members and the household classification by the PAR survey showed a wide discrepancy: (1) 464 "Not Found" Sponsored households or 70% of the LGU's Sponsored list; (2) inclusion of the non-poor: 140 middle class families as classified by the PAR survey or 21.1% of the LGU's Sponsored list; and (3) exclusion of 413 or 87.5% of true poor families identified by the PAR Survey. Only 59 families or 8.9% of the LGU Sponsored list were classified as poor families by PAR. Conclusion. PAR offers communities, LGUs and the National Health Insurance Program a tool to validate the coverage of the Sponsored program. LGUs and the PhilHealth should consider such tool or similar tools to validate their identification, selection and enrollment of the poor, which is extremely vital in achieving universal coverage. Given the right tool, communities are in the best position to identify the poor for the Sponsored program. By way of collaboration with the underprivileged themselves, the academe has a role in assisting communities in acquiring collective awareness of their own situation and developing capacity for improving their lives. The academe also has a role in assisting LGUs in improving their health systems and national health programs in validating and improving their implementation. Further studies should be done to investigate the following: the identity of the "not found" SP members; the utilization of PhilHealth benefits by the poor; and the prospect of utilizing the PAR method by other non-academic institutions in monitoring the progress of community programs.
Human ; Male ; Female ; PUBLIC-PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERSHIPS ; HEALTH SERVICES ; INSURANCE, HEALTH ; HEALTH CARE ECONOMICS AND ORGANIZATIONS ; ECONOMICS ; FINANCING, ORGANIZED ; INSURANCE

Objective: The study determined the safety, efficacy and acceptability of a Philippine community preparation of Siling Labuyo liniment in the management of knee osteoarthritis. Methods: A 6-week randomized, double-blind, active-controlled clinical trial was conducted in three municipalities of Cavite from 2017-2018. The municipalities were randomly assigned to either the control or experimental group, using a commercially available Diclofenac 1% gel as the control agent. Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and Pain Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were used to measure the outcomes. Results: Forty-seven participants completed the study. Statistically significant improvement (p<0.05) in pain relief, reduction of symptoms and increase in knee functionality was reported by participants in both the experimental and control groups. Across the dimensions measured, at least 30% improvement in scores was reported by the experimental group, and at least 40% by the control group. The difference was statistically not significant (p>0.05). Itching (13%), burning sensation (11%) and reddening of the skin (15%) were experienced in both the experimental and the active control groups. Conclusion Use of the liniment led to a modest therapeutic effect and was well-tolerated by the participants.
Diclofenac ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; Pain

Objective: A diabetes prevention program is being proposed in the rural agricultural town of San Juan, Batangas, Philippines. This study aims to determine the prevailing level of food intake, physical activity, and health beliefs prior to any intervention. Methodology: Adults were recruited via random sampling with proportional allocation. Interviews were done to determine food intake and physical activity. Small group discussions were held to determine prevailing health beliefs. Results: The average energy intake (1,547 kcal/d) is only 72% of the recommended values for Filipinos. Only 12% of the respondents achieved the recommended energy intake. Carbohydrates comprise a large part (71%) of calorie intake. A majority (91%) already have moderate to high levels of physical activity. There are prevailing health beliefs that need to be considered when dietary modifications and physical activity interventions are to be done. Conclusion Internationally recommended diabetes prevention interventions such as reducing calorie intake and increasing physical activity may not be directly applicable here. We recommend that the features of a diabetes prevention program for this locale must include the following: 1) introduction of affordable plant sources of proteins; 2) decreasing the proportion of rice as a source of carbohydrates in the diet; 3) maintaining the level of physical activity; and 4) being sensitive to the prevailing health beliefs.
Culture ; Diet ; Life Style ; Prediabetic State ; Rural Population