Chronic ; Intermittent Positive-Pressure Breathing

Chemotherapy-Oncologic Procedure ; Tuberculosis ; Cortisone ; Child

BACKGROUND: Prevalence surveys are important to aid in assessing the current burden of diseases, which will impact on the public health agenda as well as preventive interventions and health policies. Three previous local surveys on asthma prevalence of Filipino adults have been carried out. This is the fourth local survey and is also a part of the second NNHeS study, which is carried out every five years. The purpose of the survey is to determine the trend in asthma prevalence and to aid in formulating and evaluating local initiatives.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of asthma among Filipino adults
METHODOLOGY: Using a multi-staged cluster sampling methodology, this study evaluated 7,202 adults at least 20 years old, from 3,744 households, 79 provinces and 17 regions. A pre-validated written questionnaire for wheezing among children based on the International Study of Asthma and Allergies of Childhood (ISAAC) was used as the survey instrument. This instrument was adopted since it has been widely used as a case definition for asthma, which allows for comparison of prevalence outcomes across time and population.
RESULTS: The overall prevalence of asthma based on wheezing for the past 12 months was 8.7% (SE 0.4%). Males had a higher prevalence of wheezing for the past 12 months at 9.4% (SE 0.5%) compared to females at 8.2% (SE 0.5%). The overall prevalence of asthma based on wheezing at any time was 14.3% (SE 0.5%). Males had a higher prevalence of wheezing at any time of 14.8% (SE 0.7%) compared to females at 13.8% (SE 0.6%). The prevalence of adult asthma in the rural area was slightly higher than in the urban area (15.3% vs 13.3%), but the difference was not statistically significant.
CONCLUSION: The overall prevalence of adult asthma in the Philippine based on the second NHHeS is 8.7%. This figure is lower than previous reported local prevalence data. The prevalence of adult asthma in the rural and urban setting is almost similar.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Aged 80 And Over ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Young Adult ; Asthma ; Characteristics ; Health Policy ; Hypersensitivity ; Philippines ; Prevalence ; Public Health ; Respiratory Sounds

The DSME program is aimed to educate adolescents about diabetes mellitus: disease process, survival skills, exercise management, drug management, diet management, prevent acute and chronic complications and optimize quality of life. This study utilized the quasi experimental pre and post-test design involving 15 adolescent patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. The DSME materials were composed of five modules that included topics in diabetes awareness, survival skills, exercise, drug and diet management. Knowledge, Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS), Random Blood Sugar (RBS) and waist and hip ratio (WHR) were tested. The Intervention phase was implemented in three months where each module was completed by patients in two weeks. Pre and post-test examinations were done after each module. Participants have very satisfactory knowledge in diabetes awareness, survival skills, exercise, drug management before and after the DSME program. However, participants knowledge in diet management were unsatisfactory before and after the DSME program. FBS were high but RBS levels and WHR were in normal levels before, during and after the DSME program. Knowledge scores were significantly different before and after the implementation of all the modules (Module 1 to Module 5) to the participants. RBS results were significantly different after the implementation of the Module 1- DM awareness and Module 5- diet management. However, no significant differences were obtained in the RBS results of the participants after the implementation of Module 2, 3, 4, and 5. No significant differences were also obtained in the WHR parameters of the participants in each of the implementation of DSME. No significant differences in the FBS results were obtained after the implementation of the DSME modules. The module type DSME is effective in increasing knowledge of the adolescent patients in diabetes and its management. The content of the diet management module needs to be strengthened and be tested again for its effectiveness in increasing knowledge of adolescent patients.

Human ; Adolescent (a Person 13-18 Years Of Age) ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Adolescent ; Philippines

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the novel coronavirus which was first discovered in Wuhan, China. Being a viral illness, antibacterial agents theoretically have no role in patients with pure COVID-19 infection. However, like any viral illness, concomitant bacterial infection may occur. The dilemma of starting an antibacterial agent in a COVID-19 patient remains a debate since the use of antibacterial agents may pose a risk of developing antibiotic-associated adverse events such as the emergence of drug-resistant pathogens and other antibiotic-associated drug toxicity. The primary objective of the study is to determine the amount of empiric antibacterial prescription done by physicians among admitted patients with COVID-19 infection as well as the trend of antibiotic prescription by physicians during the past 12 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. The secondary objective was to determine and quantify antibiotic-associated adverse effects. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study wherein charts of patients admitted for COVID-19 last March 2020 to March 2021 were reviewed and analyzed. Empiric antibiotic prescription during the first 48 hours of admission was noted as well as the proportion of concomitant bacterial infections. Development of antibiotic-associated adverse events such as the development of the multidrug-resistant organism and fungal infections, Clostridiodes difficile and/or gastrointestinal side effects, and hypersensitivity reactions were also noted. Results: Results showed that among the 895 patients with COVID-19 admitted, 533 (59.6%) patients were started antibiotics during the first 48 hours of admission. Among those patients who are started with antibacterial therapy during the first 48 hours of admission, 60 (15.3%) patients had bacterial coinfection. The prevalence of antibiotic-associated adverse events was 46.9%, the most common of which was gastrointestinal reactions. The overall mortality rate of the patients given antibiotics was 18.8%. The median length of hospital stay was 11 days. Conclusion Community-acquired bacterial infections in COVID-19 patients admitted during the study period were low while empiric antibiotic prescription was high especially during the first few months of the pandemic, especially during the surge. Antibiotic-related adverse effects were high. There was a noted decreasing trend of antibiotic prescription during the latter part of the pandemic when new developments in COVID-19 treatment were discovered. All in all, routine antibacterial prescription in patients with COVID-19 is not recommended given the real-world data in this study.

BACKGROUND: There has been no documented data on the prevalence of allergic rhinitis among Filipino adults. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of allergic rhinitis among adults in the Philippines. METHODS: Using a multi-staged cluster sampling methodology, this study evaluated 7,202 adults from 3,744 households, 79 provinces and 17 regions. A pre-validated written questionnaire for allergic rhinitis based on the International Study of Asthma and Allergies of Childhood was used as the survey instrument. RESULTS: The response rate obtained from the interview was 94.1%. The overall prevalence of nose symptoms in the past 12 months was 20% while prevalence of nose symptoms at any time in the past was 23.8%. The proportion among both sexes was similar. The prevalence was highest among the respondents 40-49 years old. The overall prevalence of nose and eye symptoms for the past twelve months was 14.0%. The prevalence of respondents who reported presence of nose problems for the past twelve months was similar across the 12 months of the year with highest rates noted in the months of June and May. Respondents from the rural area (22.1%) reported a higher prevalence of nose symptoms for the past twelve months compared to respondents from urban area (18%). There was no significant difference in prevalence of nose symptoms among residents living in coastal and/or inland areas. CONCLUSION: The overall prevalence of allergic rhinitis in the Philippines based on the 2008 National Nutrition and Health Survey is 20.0%.
Adult ; Asthma ; Family Characteristics ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Nose ; Philippines ; Prevalence ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVE: Elimination eforts for lymphatic flariasis are underway in the Philippines using mass drug administration (MDA) of diethylcarbamazine and albendazole as one of the main strategies. This cost analysis was done to determine the MDA implementation cost and provide useful information to the control programme on how to best utilize limited resources.

METHODS: This cost analysis study was conducted in the province of Sorsogon, Philippines in 2004. The study was done from a program perspective. Cost data for 2003 was obtained retrospectively via key informant interviews and records review using a standardized guide from a multi-country cost analysis study of flariasis elimination programs. Cost fgures were classifed as either economic or fnancial costs and expressed in real terms using 2002 as base year. Sensitivity analysis was likewise performed.

RESULTS: The total economic cost and cost per person treated with MDA were estimated at US$223,549.55 (Php12,116,385.48) and US$0.40, respectively. The fnancial costs were less than half of the economic costs. The main cost driver was drug distribution. The highest economic and fnancial costs were incurred at the national (54.5%) and municipal (74.4%) levels, respectively. High variation in costs of MDA activities was observed.

CONCLUSION: This cost analysis provides reasonable estimates which may be used to assist government and other stakeholders in program planning and resource generation for flariasis elimination programs in endemic areas.

Diethylcarbamazine ; Albendazole ; Philippines ; Mass Drug Administration ; Costs And Cost Analysis ; Health Resources ; Lymphatic Vessel ; Elephantiasis, Filarial

OBJECTIVE: To explore and determine the reorganizational changes in the cortical neural circuits associated with pruritis, this study was undertaken to compare the electroencephalography (EEG) changes in burn patients having primary symptoms of chronic itching (pruritis) and their paired healthy subjects. METHODS: Eight subjects were recruited for this exploratory pilot study: 4 patients with pruritus after burn injury matched by gender and age with 4 healthy subjects. EEG recordings were analyzed for absolute alpha, low beta, high beta, and theta power for both groups. RESULTS: The mean age of the burn patients was 41.75 years; while the mean age for the matched healthy subjects was 41.5 years. All subjects were male. A decreased alpha activity was observed in the occipital channels (0.82 vs. 1.4; p=0.01) and a decreased low beta activity in the frontal area (0.22 vs. 0.4; p=0.049) in eyes closed conditions. An overall decreased theta trend was observed in both the eyes open and eyes closed conditions in burn patients, compared to healthy individuals. CONCLUSION: This preliminary study presents initial evidence that chronic pruritus in burn subjects may be associated with brain reorganizational changes at the cortical level characterized by an EEG pattern.
Brain ; Brain Waves ; Burns* ; Electroencephalography ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Male ; Pilot Projects ; Pruritus* ; Quality of Life

This study aimed to determine the level of knowledge and skills of the barangay health workers (BHW) about diabetes management. A descriptive correlational design that included 121 BHWs in Bustos, Bulacan was utilized in the study. A test and skill demonstration checklist was utilized to determine the knowledge and skills of BHWs about diabetes management. Categorical variables such as the respondents' profile were described using frequencies and percentages. Continuous variables such as level of knowledge and skills were summarized using central tendency measures (mean) with standard deviation. Pearson correlation test for association was used to test for relationship between level of knowledge and skills. Pearson Chi square was used to test association between demographic variables and level of knowledge and skills. Ap value of <0.05 was considered significant in the analysis of the results. Results showed that the overall level of knowledge of the BHWs was satisfactory but varied in many aspects of diabetes management. The BHWs level of knowledge in determining signs and symptoms and diagnosis of diabetes was high but low in determining types of diabetes mellitus. The level of skills of the BHWs was high in blood pressure measurement but low in blood glucose monitoring. BHWs have varied knowledge and skills in diabetes care management. There is a need to train the BHWs further to develop their knowledge and skills. The nurse diabetes educators must provide diabetes education program for BHWs that are focused on competencies to deliver safe and appropriate health teaching activities utilizing the basic concepts and principles of diabetes management
Diabetes Mellitus

The study aimed to determine the level of awareness and to assess compliance to Diabetes management of adolescents diagnosed with Type-1 Diabetes. A descriptive correlational type of research was utilized to gather information on the level of awareness and compliance of adolescents patients to diet, exercise and drug management suffering from Type-1 diabetes mellitus. The patients (n=20) were recruited from Institute for Studies on Diabetes Foundation Incorporated, Philippines. A purposive sampling was utilized to select twenty adolescents. A researcher-made questionnaire was utilized as the main instrument in gathering data. Focus group discussion was also done to further assess patient's level of awareness and compliance to diabetes management. Results showed that patients have a moderate level of awareness and some extent of compliance to diabetes. Patients have extreme awareness in diet management and moderate awareness in exercise and drug management. In terms of compliance, patients are compliant to some extent only, while drug management has the highest highest level of compliance, followed by exercise and diet. There is a low correlation between level of awareness and compliance in diabetes management (r=.32 p=0.15), indicating that the moderate level of awareness of patients to DM management is not related to their compliance. The results are limited only to the participants of the study. Further study using a larger population and different setting is recommended. Nurses taking care of adolescent patients with diabetes mellitus must understand the importance of health education. Health educations are valuable to increase level of awareness and extent of compliance of adolescents patients with Type-1 diabetes.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Adolescent