PURPOSE: Primary Health Care (PHC) refers to essential health care that is made accessible, acceptable and affordable to individuals and families in the community. As such, it is imperative for PHC providers to possess the necessary competencies responsive to the current health care demands. This study aims to determine the current capacity of PHC providers and their need for capability building. METHODS: The study employed a quantitative descriptive design with 87 purposively-selected PHC providers and five administrators from selected rural municipalities in Cavite. It is adapted from the study, “Capacity-building of primary healthcare providers in 10+3 Southeast and East Asian Nursing Education and Research Network (SEANERN) countries”. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS: The perceived level of knowledge of the PHC providers on the elements of PHC were all rated to be proficient. Maternal and child care received the highest score, while health education received the lowest score. The perceived level of skills of the PHC providers was also rated to be proficient. Sanitation and water received the highest score, while treatment of common diseases and injuries received the lowest score. Similar to the perceived levels of knowledge and skills, the perceived level of attitudes of the PHC providers were also proficient, with environmental sanitation having the highest score but treatment of common diseases and injuries having the lowest score. However, from the perspective of health administrators, they rated the PHC providers one level lower or needs minimal support. Training and capacity building in all elements of PHC was identified as the most needed by the PHC providers. Their most preferred method of training is workshop. CONCLUSIONS There are high perceived levels of knowledge, skills, and attitudes of the PHC providers in the elements of PHC. Despite the high scores, objective outcomes such as the MMR and immunization coverage do not reflect the proficient scores of the PHC providers. There are also other health conditions and issues such as noncommunicable diseases and injuries that need to be addressed using PHC approach. Given this, it is vital that appropriate training and adequate hiring of PHC providers be reinforced nationwide in order to meet the health goals and needs of the country.
Capacity Building

Background: Nurses comprise the largest group of health professionals in the Philippines, and turnover remains a challenge to the workforce and healthcare system. Understanding the extent of the problem and multiple factors related to turnover rates is crucial in retaining nurses in the organization and profession. Objectives: The study aimed to (1) describe and compare nurses' turnover intention, (2) identify factors for nurses' turnover intention, and (3) determine factors to promote nurses' retention in their current organization. Methodology: This descriptive, cross-sectional, and correlational study was conducted through a survey that sought the participants' sociodemographic and work-related characteristics and their perceived practice environment, job satisfaction, organizational commitment, job stress, and alternative job opportunities. Additional questions were added to identify the participants' reasons for their intention to leave their current job and stay in their current organizations. Results: The final sample comprised 297 nurses. Significant differences in the nurses' turnover intention scores were found across multiple demographic, personal, and work-related factors. The final multiple logistic regression model revealed that 'influence of peers to leave,' 'desire to try new things,' practice environment, and organizational commitment were significant factors in the nurses' turnover intention. Staff nurses perceived practice environment (n=246) as the primary reason to stay in their current organization while it was compensation and benefits (n=25) for nurse managers. Conclusion A collaborative approach among the sectors of a healthcare organization is needed to develop a policy framework that advocates and promotes positive practice environment, job satisfaction, career progression, and personal well-being among nurses and other healthcare workers.
Nursing ; Workplace

INTRODUCTION: More than one billion people worldwide are affected by mental health disorders, making up 16% of the world's population. However, psychological morbidity has been understudied and disparately estimated among Filipinos living in low-income
communities in the Philippines.

PURPOSE: The specific aims of this descriptive, cross-sectional study were to 1) describe depression, anxiety, distress, and quality of life in a large sample of Filipinos from low-income communities in the Philippines; and 2) determine the prevalence and correlates of
depression, anxiety, and distress in this sample.

METHODS: A convenient sample of Filipinos (?18 years old) were recruited to participate in the study and asked to complete a general health survey. Only one person per household was eligible to participate in the study to avoid biases based on the prevalence of mental health disorders.

RESULTS: One thousand two hundred three participants, mean age, 49.5 ± 17.6 years, primarily women (64.6%) and married (58.4%) reported the following cardiometabolic disorders: overweight/obesity (29%), hypertension (43%), hyperlipidemia (21%), type 2
diabetes (14%), and current smoker (19%). The mean physical and mental quality of life was 46.2 ± 8.1 and 48.6 ± 7.7, respectively. Depression (21%), anxiety (39%) and distress (82%) were prevalent in the sample. Depression was associated with older age, higher distress and anxiety, and lower quality of life. Anxiety and distress were associated with younger age, female gender, higher depression, and lower quality of life.

CONCLUSION: Mental health disorders are prevalent in Filipinos from low-income communities. Findings provide empirical support for the provision of mental health services consistent with the World Health Organization's action plan in this understudied population. The high association between psychological morbidity and perceived physical and mental quality of life signifies the need to screen for depression in older adults and anxiety and distress in younger adults and women.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Aged (a Person 65 Through 79 Years Of Age) ; Middle Aged (a Person 45-64 Years Of Age) ; Depression ; Anxiety ; Mental Health ; Philippines

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Interprofessional Education (IPE) is a necessary step in preparing a collaborative practice- ready health workforce that is better prepared to respond to local and global health needs. This study examined the status of IPE implementation in Asian nursing schools in the World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Region (WPR).

METHODS

Descriptive online survey research design was utilized, supplemented by online interviews. Purposive sampling was done wherein nursing schools, colleges, and universities were invited to nominate a representative to serve as respondent in this study. Descriptive approach was used to analyze both quantitative and qualitative data.

RESULTS

A total of 29 Asian nursing schools participated in the survey. Majority (82.76%) of them stated that they have an IPE program or a similar activity. Interviews with the respondents revealed that not all IPE opportunities were part of a formal IPE program, but were embedded in the different learning activities of nursing students. A clear program focus served as one of the facilitators of IPE implementation. Identified barriers included insufficient administrative support and lack of trained faculty to implement IPE and related activities.

CONCLUSION

IPE is present in most Asian nursing schools in WPR. They may not exactly be called or recognized as IPE, but there is the existence of programs and activities that bring together health and non-health science students to learn from, about, and with each other to enable effective collaboration and improve health outcomes. It is recommended that massive formal training should be conducted so that educational institutions and their faculty will be equipped in developing more formal programs, facilitate activities, and monitor implementation and progress.

Interprofessional Education ; Education, Nursing

OBJECTIVE: To compare the level of adherence of public health nurses to BP measurement guidelines based on their knowledge of the guidelines and skills in BP measurement before and after Blood Pressure Measurement Training Program (BPMTP).

METHODS: An experimental pre- and post-test design using twostaged cluster randomization was conducted. 118 PHNs (mean age ± 38.45 years, mean years of experience ± 13.45 years; 84.1% women) from six districts in Manila were equally assigned to either the BPMTP group or control group. Structured instruments were used.

RESULTS: Demographic characteristics, current BP measurement practices, and level of adherence to BP measurement guidelines based on knowledge of the guidelines and skills in BP measurement were equivalent in both groups at baseline.Nurses in the BPMTP group showed improved adherence (p=<0.05) compared to nurses in the control group. Both groups did not show significant change in their skill on recording, interpretation, and referral (p=1.000).

CONCLUSION: This study showed that Blood Pressure Measurement Training Package is feasible in improving adherence of nurses based on their increased knowledge of the BP measurement guidelines and skills in BP measurement. A larger-scale study is warranted to show that BPMTP can potentially improve clinical management of hypertension in public health clinics globally.

Human ; Nurses, Public Health ; Public Health ; Random Allocation ; Hypertension

BACKGROUND: Worldwide trends in health risks, lifestyle behaviors, health perceptions, and health-seeking patterns suggest alarming disparities among individuals from low- and middle-income countries. Such international comparisons are particularly troubling for older individuals (≥60 years). OBJECTIVES: This study aims to compare health risks, lifestyle behaviors, health perceptions, and health-seeking patterns between younger (<60) and older (≥60) Filipinos from rural communities in the Philippines. METHODS: A comparative cross-sectional study was employed with 863 younger and 427 older Filipinos. Data were analyzed using frequencies, chi-squares, and T-tests. RESULTS: Older participants were more likely to be single/widowed, ≤ high school education and had higher rates of hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, and depression. They reported poorer health status and went to the village health center when sick. Furthermore, they were less likely to drink alcohol and see a physician. CONCLUSION There were significant differences in modifiable health risks and lifestyle behaviors and differences in health perceptions between younger and older cohorts of Filipinos living in rural areas in the Philippines. Our findings suggest the need to design separate health promotion interventions that target older and younger Filipinos' unique needs from rural communities.
Low-Middle-Income Countries ; Aging ; Cross-sectional ; Population Health ; Philippines