OBJECTIVE. This study documented the Filipino seafarers' lived experiences related to their health conditions, access to available health services and facilities, satisfaction with these, and their coping mechanisms aboard international shipping vessels.

METHOD. Descriptive phenomenology was used with 12 Filipino seafarers. In-depth interviews were done in an industrial clinic in Manila port area during their annual medical examinations.

RESULTS. The most common health-related problems mentioned by informants from dry cargo bulk/tanker vessels were sexuallyytransmitted infections, hypertension, accidents, heart attack, and homesickness. Hypertension, back, knee, and muscle pains and liver enzymes elevations were frequently mentioned problems in luxury liners. Circumstances on board like unlimited amount of food servings, lack of control over food choices, and negative attitude of the cook were perceived to increase seafarers' vulnerability to lifestyle diseases. Loneliness seemed to have contributed to their propensity to engage in high-risk sex behaviors. Informants reported having access to health services and facilities on board as well as satisfaction with these. Gym facilities were seldom used because of work fatigue. Coping mechanisms included watching DVDs, singing karaoke, playing video games, listening to music, and fishing.

CONCLUSION. Despite the reported access to health information and services, informants still reported occupational and lifestyleerelated diseases that were perceived to be associated with the work situation that requires appropriate health promotion strategies.

Human ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Loneliness ; Singing ; Music ; Personal Satisfaction ; Myalgia ; Video Games ; Unsafe Sex ; Ships ; Auditory Perception ; Food Services ; Health Services Accessibility ; Accidents ; Life Style ; Health Promotion ; Myocardial Infarction ; Hypertension ; Liver

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the existing Public Health Promotion and Education 210 module (PHPE 210) as basis for the revision of the learning resource material. Specifically, this study determined the stakeholders' perceptions on the module in terms of: (1) its presentation, organization, topics covered, clarity/user-friendliness and its relevance to practice; (2) its strengths and weaknesses; and (3) the topics that need to be integrated in the resource material.

METHODS: A qualitative approach was used for this study. Through purposive sampling, 4 focus group discussions and 11 key informant interviews were done. Topic Guide was used as the main data collection instrument. Informed consent was obtained prior to data collection. Data was described verbatim, emerging themes and actual quotations from the participants and informants were extracted in the succeeding analysis.

RESULTS: The results of the focus group discussions and key informant interviews, in general, were similar and actually complemented each other. The module was perceived to be relevant, comprehensive and logically organized. The historical foundation needs to be presented in a more concise and updated manner, and examples and practical applications of the PRECEDE-PROCEED model must be used. To update the module and make it more relevant to the present issues, innovative health promotion strategies such as social media, healthy settings, health in all policies, and multi-sectoral approach must be included in the revised version. Practical applications of the theories and health promotion and education strategies also need to be considered in the revision of the module. The module has to be presented in a more reader-friendly manner, easy-to-use and visually appealing to its readers.

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the importance of incorporating the perceptions of educators, module developers, practitioners, experts, and the learners or students in assessing and redesigning a more relevant learning resource material. With the current trends and emerging issues in health promotion and education, an evidence-based development and improvement of learning resource modules to make them relevant to changes have to be continuously undertaken.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Health Promotion ; Health Education ; Education, Public Health Professional

OBJECTIVE:The study aimed to establish the knowledge, attitudes, perceptions and practices of households in Quezon City on the novel dengue Ovicidal-Larvicidal (OL) traps.
METHODOLOGY: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study done in one barangay in Quezon City.  This barangay was purposively chosen for two reasons: 1) it has a  high incidence of dengue and, 2) it is one of the recipient barangays of DOST-developed OL traps distributed by DOH. Data were collected through face to face interview using a pilot-tested interview schedule and observation. Respondents were also purposively included if they were a resident of the barangay, at least 13 years old, have received an OL trap & instructions, and gave consent. A total of 399 respondents were recruited which was more than the computed sample size  of  383.
RESULTS: Of the 399 respondents, 92% were females, age ranged from 13 to 82 (mean of 39), 85% were married and 54% finished secondary education. Majority had high level of knowledge on OL traps components, properties, installation, and maintenance. Generally, 65% to 90% of respondents had favorable attitudes and perception towards dengue OL traps. Some misconceptions like OL trap is not safe to human and that it can kill mosquitoes even without adding the pellets were found.
CONCLUSIONS: The study generally established good knowledge, positive attitudes and perceptions and correct practices among respondents. Misconceptions need to be corrected to increase the acceptability of using the OL traps at the household level.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Aged 80 And Over ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Adolescent ; Marriage ; Dengue ; Family Characteristics ; Culicidae ; Attitude

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe selected sociodemographic and psychosocial factors that are related to mothers' preference for childbirth setting in a barangay in Rosario, Cavite.

METHODS: This study utilized a descriptive cross-sectional design. An interview guide was developed, pretested, and used in interviewing mothers who had given birth from September 1, 2007 to August 31, 2010. Data collected was encoded and analyzed using Epi-info 3.5.1 to compute for the means and proportions of relevant variables.

RESULTS: A total of 271 mothers were interviewed, of whom 53.5% gave birth at health facilities. Mothers who were young adults, had at least graduated from high school, and/or had a family income of greater than Php 10,000 tended to prefer facility-based delivery. Those who had adequate knowledge of child delivery and postpartum complications, as well as those with a positive attitude towards facility-based delivery, gave birth in health facilities. Among the family members, the spouses had greater influence on the decisions of mothers regarding their preference. Whereas doctors appeared to have influenced the decisions of mothers who had facility-based deliveries, midwives influenced those who had home-based deliveries.

CONCLUSION: The maternal mortality ratio in Rosario, Cavite and the facility-based delivery rate in the sampled barangay remain higher than the targeted rates. This necessitates more efforts to achieve Millennium Development Goal (MDG) No 5. The findings of this study can serve as a guide in developing health promotion and education intervention focusing on specific age group, significant others, and health providers in order to achieve the desired outcomes.

Human ; Female ; Adult ; Young Adult ; Parturition ; pregnancy ; Maternal Health ; Delivery, Obstetric

Objective: The universal newborn hearing screening program has been implemented in the Philippines for the past ten years. However, screening rates in the country are still low. The current study aimed to describe the universal newborn hearing screening program (UNHSP) delivery system in Rizal, Philippines, and Northern California. Methods: The study utilized a case study research design using data triangulation of FGD, KII, and document review to characterize and compare the implementation of the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Program in Rizal Province and Northern California. Results: Several differences were found in the protocols for newborn hearing screening in Rizal, Philippines, and Northern California, including centralization of the program, availability of surveillance data, screening protocols, and tracking system. Conclusion There is an immense need to disseminate universal newborn hearing screening among healthcare practitioners and create a system to monitor and evaluate real-time data.
Infant, Newborn

Objective: The study describes the current knowledge, attitudes, and practices of healthcare practitioners in Rizal province regarding the implementation of the universal newborn hearing screening program (UNHSP). Materials and Methods: A descriptive phenomenologic research design through focus group discussions with pediatric and OBGYN consultants in a government hospital, nurses from private primary and secondary hospitals, midwives from private birthing homes, and rural health workers Results: Attitudes. All participants recognized that they had important roles in implementing the program except the OBGYN consultants as they felt that information about the UNHSP should be provided by pediatricians. Practices. The lack of a screening device, trained personnel, and a referral network were the most common barriers in implementing the program. Knowledge. Most participants lacked specific knowledge about hearing loss and its implications in the UNHSP. Conclusion Most participants were able to determine the advantages and disadvantages of implementing the UNHSP. However, less than half of the participants admitted to have an established protocol to give access to newborn hearing screening services. Establishment of an information dissemination protocol and materials may be beneficial in the absence of funding for screening devices.
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Health Facilities

Background and Objective: In addressing vaccine acceptance, teachers may play a pivotal role as educators and models of behavior, as they serve as reliable sources of information. Thus, this study aimed to determine the association between knowledge and risk perception of teachers and their acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine. Methodology: This study utilized an analytic, cross-sectional design. Seven hundred and seven public secondary school teachers in Manila City, Philippines accomplished the online self-administered questionnaire. The study was guided by the Health Belief Model (HBM). Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the factors associated with acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine. Results: Respondents had a high knowledge on COVID-19 mode of transmission (95.2%), signs and symptoms (92.9%), diagnosis (57.6%), treatment (98.9%), and prevention (92.2%). They had a high risk perception (>69.2%) pertaining to four constructs (Perceived Susceptibility, Perceived Severity, Perceived Benefits, Cues to Action) of the HBM. Low risk perception of barriers was observed (66.1%). The majority (92.5%) are willing to accept the COVID-19 vaccine. Respondents who teach health-related subjects (94.4%) garnered more vaccine acceptors compared to teachers of non-health-related subjects (91.6%). After adjusting for sex, age, highest educational attainment, and subjects taught, Cues to Action remained to be associated with COVID- 19 vaccine acceptance. Conclusion Although high levels of knowledge and risk perceptions were observed, only Cues to Action had a significant association with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Hence, they need external cues, from physicians or the Food and Drug Administration, to accept the COVID-19 vaccine.
COVID-19 Vaccines ; Health Belief Model ; School Teachers ; Knowledge

Background: Vaccination is an effective public health measure. Health workers, who are at risk of acquiring infectious diseases due to their occupation, are important targets of vaccination. However, previous studies have shown varying rates of vaccine uptake among health workers. Objective: This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitudes, risk perceptions, and intention towards COVID-19 and vaccination of Filipino health workers in the city of Manila, Philippines. Methodology: The study employed a sequential mixed methods design. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on the study variables. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the level of COVID-related knowledge, attitude, risk perception, and intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Logistic regression was performed to identify the factors that were associated with intention. Results: Majority (89.4%) had a good knowledge of COVID-19 but had little to moderate knowledge of COVID-19 vaccines. Around half reported feeling unsure about the safety and efficacy of the vaccines while the remaining half expressed intent to get the vaccine. Logistic regression analysis showed that the odds of intention to get vaccinated were higher among those with positive perceived self-efficacy, behavioral intention, external cues to action, perceived vaccine efficacy, and good knowledge on COVID-19 infection prevention. Conclusion Health workers play a crucial role in the promotion of public health measures such as vaccination to control the spread of COVID-19. The study confirms the need for strengthening education and communication strategies focusing on the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines to prevent the spread of false information and promote vaccine uptake among health workers.
COVID-19 ; Knowledge

Introduction: Midwives play an important role in promoting newborn screening (NBS) and they ensure that all Filipino newborns are offered screening for life-threatening metabolic conditions. Of the disorders included in NBS, Glucose 6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is the most common disorder detected. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, self-perceived role, and experience of midwives who practice in urban and rural settings in educating parents of a newborn who are confirmed cases for G6PD deficiency. Method: One-on-one semi structured interview was conducted among 21 midwives from Manila City and Lipa, Batangas, Philippines. Results: The study findings indicate that midwives frequently serve as the primary information resource for parents of infants with G6PD deficiency. Assessment of knowledge showed that midwives have sufficient knowledge about the medical management and the necessary follow-up of infants with G6PD deficiency. However, it also revealed that they have inadequate knowledge of the underlying genetic cause of G6PD deficiency. The surveyed midwives recognized their role and the importance of proper education regarding G6PD deficiency. Conclusion The findings of this study identified gaps in the midwives’ knowledge on the genetic mechanisms and inheritance of G6PD deficiency, which could be a basis to improve the education and dissemination of information and to eventually improve parental education and care of newborns with G6PD deficiency
Genetic Counseling ; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency ; Neonatal Screening

Background and Objectives: The daily interactions of teachers with students allow the former to observe behavioral changes in the latter. This can serve as an opportunity to emphasize teachers' role in mental health interventions in the school setting. This study aimed to provide baseline information regarding high school teachers' mental health literacy specifically on the recognition and referral of students with depression and suicidal behavior. Methodology: The study design was descriptive cross-sectional that included 460 high school teachers from a district in the City of Manila. The modified QualisMental Vignette Scale for depression literacy and Adolescent Suicide Behavior Questionnaire for suicide literacy was adapted as assessment tools. Results and Conclusion Results of the study found that 64% correctly identified depression as a mental health problem in the modified case vignette. The highest proportion of respondents chose 'informing the parents' as their preferred mode of referral system. The teachers had varying levels of knowledge on suicidal behaviors. More mental health literacy interventions focusing on depression and suicide must be conducted among teachers to improve their competency on these topics.
Depression ; Suicidal Ideation ; Mental Health