Background: Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) and Benguet General Hospital (BeGH) started COVID-19 vaccination among its employees in March 2021. Although there was an observed substantial increase in vaccine acceptance, a better understanding on the factors associated with hesitancy toward COVID-19 vaccine is necessary to further strengthen efforts and focus on the caveats regarding vaccine acceptance. Objective: The study aimed to determine the factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among healthcare workers (HCW) in two general hospitals in Benguet. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among HCW in BGHMC and BeGH for 1 month. Total enumeration sampling was used which included 222 participants but only 85 responded. A modified questionnaire was used to describe the factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Categorical variables were presented as frequencies and percentages. Pearson’s Chisquare test was used to observe the association between clinicodemographic factors and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among the HCW in BGHMC and BeGH. Results: The results showed that young, female, non-clinical workers with direct contact with COVID-19 patients, previous COVID-19 infection, and without comorbidities were more likely to be hesitant. The study identified various internal, external, and vaccination-specific factors that influenced vaccine hesitancy, such as concerns about adverse effects, their impending risk in contracting COVID-19 at workplace, and thoughts about yearly booster dose. These findings suggest that vaccine hesitancy among healthcare workers in the Philippines is complex and influenced by a range of factors. Conclusion The study can be used to develop targeted interventions to address concerns about vaccine hesitancy and improve vaccine uptake among healthcare workers. The development of an equitable approach such as an effective and inclusive vaccine policy that does not feel mandatory for this population will foster trust in the healthcare system.
COVID-19 vaccine ; Vaccine hesitancy ; Healthcare workers ; General Hospital

Background: Medication adherence is important to mitigate complications of NCDs. Hypertension and diabetes clubs were intended to make essential medications accessible to club members. Despite these efforts, patients avail treatment and management in acute care with noted complications. To address this problem, it is important to identify factors that affect patients’ adherence medication. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the factors affecting adherence to medications of members enrolled in the Hypertension and Diabetes Club in the district health centers in the city of Baguio. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with a total of 374 respondents from the 16 different district health centers in the City of Baguio, obtained through random sampling. A validated questionnaire was utilized for the collection of data and was presented using percentage and frequency tables. A chi-square test was used to find the association of clinic-demographic data with respondents’ medication adherence. Results: Hypertension and Diabetic Club members overall reported good adherence to medication. Majority of the respondents are female and are older than 61 years old while comorbidities show significant association with level of adherence. On the other hand, lack of finances, feeling that the drug is not effective, multiple medications, taking medications for many years, interference with meal plan, feeling the dose is too high, and complexity of drug regimen are noted to be associated factors for non-adherence. Conclusion Hypertension and Diabetes Club a community-based management in the City of Baguio shows a good impact on patients’ medication adherence. Comorbidities, chronicity, good family support as well as good physician-patient relationship can positively affect adherence to medications. On the other hand, factors affecting medications non-adherence are: complexity of medications, subjective report that medication is too high, interference to meal, having medications for many years and having multiple medications. Identifying factors affecting adherence and nonadherence are important to decrease further complications of the common NCDs.
Non-communicable disease ; medication adherence

Background: Telemedicine has proven essential during COVID-19. However, concerns remain about the rural municipalities in the country such as those from the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), wherein perceived barriers by Municipal Health Officers (MHOs) include poor internet connectivity and inadequacy of the current telemedicine service. Objective: This study aimed to assess the extent of Telemedicine use and perspectives in terms of perception, attitudes and perceived barriers among MHOs in CAR during COVID-19. Methods: This is an analytical cross-sectional study that used a validated online questionnaire to 62 MHOs and DTTBs in CAR. Logistic regression analysis was employed to determine the effect of sociodemographic factors and physician perceptions and attitudes on the extent of Telemedicine use. Results: Most MHOs use Telemedicine frequently in their practice for 0-1 year during COVID-19. There is no significant effect of sociodemographic factors to the extent of Telemedicine use except for IT expertise which had a negative influence on the extent of use [prevalence (p=0.011), frequency (p=0.013), length of use (p=0.044)]. Generally, MHOs agree that telemedicine is beneficial for them in performing consults with a positive effect on frequency (p=0.004) and length of use (p=0.009). There is positive attitude towards telemedicine, however, with no significant effect on extent of use (p=0.352, p=1.00, p=0.484). Compromised decision-making and network issues are the most prevalent perceived barriers that limit MHOs to practice Telemedicine. Conclusion and Recommendation This study showed that during COVID-19, there is good utilization of Telemedicine among MHOs in CAR. MHOs perceive Telemedicine as beneficial in their work and positive attitude remains. However, presence of barriers makes them apprehensive to fully incorporate it in their practice. Study results can contribute to policy-making on telemedicine as it is a key player in e- health to improve access to healthcare services in the attainment of the goal of Universal Healthcare.
COVID-19