OBJECTIVE: This randomized, single-blind, two-arm controlled study compared the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of an intravaginal suppository preparation containing metronidazole 750mg + miconazole 200mg (Neopenotran Forte) with another vaginal preparation containing metronidazole 500 mg + nystatin 10000 IU (Flagystatin) in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis (BV), candidal and trichomonial vulvovaginitis (CVV, TV), mixed vaginitis and in the prevention of secondary candidal vulvovaginitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Women ages 18-45 years with chief complaints of abnormal vaginal discharge or vaginal/vulvar itching were examined and microbiologic confirmation of BV, VVC, TV or mixed infection was made. They were then randomly assigned to receive either treatment once daily (nightly) for 7 days. A total of 261 subjects had evaluable clinical and microbiological findings at the end of the study. Test of cure by Amsel criteria and Nugent score were performed twice after treatment.

RESULTS: The overall test revealed that microbiological cure rate is significantly different between the two treatment groups.

CONCLUSION: The odds of being cured microbiologically is 2.35 times more in the metronidazole 750mg + miconazole nitrate 200mg group compared to the metronidazole 500 mg + nystatin 10000 IU group. However, no significant difference in the clinical cure between the two groups was found. Both drugs are safe and convenient to use.

Human ; Female ; Adult ; Young Adult ; Vaginosis, Bacterial ; Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal ; Suppositories ; Vaginitis

Objective: This study aimed to determine if the beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels during the first 5 weeks after a molar evacuation predict progression to gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN). Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of complete mole cases managed at a Philippine tertiary hospital from January 2009 to December 2018. Extracted data were analyzed using applicable statistical tools. The level of significance was set at a P < 0.05 using two-tailed comparisons. Results: One hundred and fifty-five complete patient records were available for review. Disease progression in 15.48% of cases while regression in 84.52% were noted. Uterine size was larger in those who eventually had postmolar GTN (t: −3.12, df: 32.64, P: 0.01). Analysis of the receiver operating characteristic curve showed that optimum cut-off levels for predicting GTN at 1, 3, and 5 weeks after evacuation were 4,152 mIU/ml (sensitivity: 50%, specificity: 94.7%, area under the curve [AUC]: 0.75), 804 mIU/ml (sensitivity: 62.5, specificity: 96.9%, AUC: 0.94), and 541 mIU/ml (70.8%, specificity: 97.7%, AUC: 0.96), respectively. Conclusion The level of hCG within the first 5 weeks after molar pregnancy evacuation is predictive of progression to GTN.
Gestational Trophoblastic Disease ; Hydatidiform Mole

Background: Teaching clinics provide low-cost health programs while offering valuable learning opportunities for student clinicians, which then contributes to increasing health care accessibility. To date, there is a paucity of literature exploring the satisfaction of patient seen in rehabilitation teaching clinics in developing countries. The Service Quality (ServQual) Scale is a valid and reliable tool that has been used to measure client satisfaction in different work settings and industries.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the usefulness of ServQual
in measuring the satisfaction of clients in a rehabilitation teaching clinic in a developing country.

Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted for three months among CTS-AA (Clinic for Therapy Services- Adult and Adolescent Section) clients who are at least 18 years old; have attended at least three sessions; and can read. Prior to
administration in CTS-AA, the ServQual scale was translated to Filipino, validated
and pilot tested for reliability.

Results: Thirty-two respondents were included in the analysis. there was no
statistically significant difference between the expectation and the perceptions
of the clients for the domains of reliability (z=1.799, p=0.0721),responsiveness (z=0.839, p=0.4013), assurance (z=1.914, p=0.0556) and empathy (z=1.772, p=0.0764). However, there was a statistically significant difference between the clients' perception and expectation for tangibles (z=4.117, p<0.0001) and between the overall client perception and expectation (z=4.086, p<0.0001).The overall ServQual score for CTS-AA is -0.3782.

Conclusion: The ServQual has been shown to be useful in assessing the satisfaction of clients in rehabilitation clinics and the specific areas that needs improvement. The tool can still be further improved by including items on cost, relationship of students with supervisors and outcomes of treatment.

Philippines, Maternal Health, Maternal Mortality,

Background: Since 1976, Bicol Region had higher maternal mortality ratio (MMR) than the Philippine average and became the fourth region with the highest MMR in 2012. Looking at trends of maternal health outcomes and determining risk factors among mothers who died may guide interventions to reduce MMR. Objectives: To determine the changes in maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in the Bicol region from 2004 to 2017 and determine the sociodemographic profile of pregnant women who died from 2015 to 2018. Materials and Methods: A records review of Bicol?s Regional Field Health Services Information System from 2004 to 2017 and maternal death review reports from 2015 to 2018 was done. Changes in MMR was determined using Poisson regression. The sociodemographic characteristics and causes of maternal deaths were analyzed using frequencies and proportion. Results: From 2004 to 2017, MMR of 100.9 remained higher than the regional target of 31.6. Significant reductions in MMR were achieved in 2007 to 2008 and in 2011 to 2012 wherein MMR ranged between 75.3 to 89.3. However, by the end of 2012, maternal deaths again increased which reached 122.5 in 2017. From the maternal death reviews, it was observed that 29.5% of maternal deaths were aged 35 years and above and 7.5% were less than 20 years old. Mothers who had more than five pregnancies were 30.1% of total deaths. In terms of place of death, 15.7% died at home or in-transit to referral facilities. Hemorrhage or hypertension-related causes were the leading reasons for maternal deaths. Conclusion Significant reduction in MMR was not sustained after 2012 and higher deaths were reported in the succeeding years. Maternal deaths can be further reduced by using a systems approach, by promoting family planning, and by strengthening service delivery networks to effectively manage hemorrhage and hypertension-related emergencies.
Maternal Mortality ; Maternal Health

Objectives: The availability of emergency obstetric and newborn care (EmONC) services is one of the key strategies in improving maternal health and achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3. Health staff knowledge and competency on these interventions are crucial to ensure the effective handling and management of obstetric and newborn emergencies. Health workers, despite having undergone formal training, require regular refresher courses to keep up with new, evidence-based information on EmONC intervention; and to ensure compliance with national and local referral guidelines. A two-day workshop was implemented to assess the knowledge and skills of health workers in Legazpi, Albay, regarding obstetric emergency cases and referral guidelines.

Methods: A pretest was conducted on the first day to assess the knowledge of the participants. A series of lectures were given before administering a posttest at the end of these lectures. An Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) was conducted on the second day, which aimed to assess the skills of the participants.

Results: The pretest findings indicated that the participants are generally knowledgeable about areas such as handwashing and prenatal care. Results of the posttest show that participants had difficulty with the category of referrals. Moreover, comparing the pretest and posttest scores, there is strong evidence that there is a difference in the median values of the pretest scores as compared to the posttest scores. The results of the OSCE also indicate the need for further training on partograph use and adherence to an EINC protocol. More than half of the participants passed all five parts of the OSCE.

Conclusion: The workshop contributed to an improvement in the knowledge of health care workers in obstetric emergency cases. Skills-wise, more frequent training may need to be conducted to improve other competencies such as partograph utilization and the practice of EINC interventions.

Key Words: emergency obstetric care, training, skilled birth attendants, knowledge, skills

Knowledge

Background and Objective: Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) are ubiquitously found as low-level contaminants and pose serious threat to women’s health. EDCs may result in various reproductive disorders, fetal birth and developmental abnormalities, and endocrine and metabolic disorders. EDCs can be detected in body fluids of exposed individuals including blood and urine. This study aimed to detect four EDCs — Methyl Paraben (MP), 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), Monobutyl Phthalate (MBP), and Bisphenol A (BPA) in urine samples of women using Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography – Quadrupole Time-of-Flight (UPLC-QTOF) mass spectrometry. Methods: Sequential steps of enzymatic deconjugation, liquid-liquid extraction, solid phase extraction, and liquid chromatography separation and mass spectrometry detection were optimized in urine samples. The method was used to analyze 70 urine samples from women of reproductive age. Results: The sample preparation method showed a recovery ranging from 86.6% (MBP) to 100 % (2,4-D). The method demonstrated limits of quantitation ranging from 1.52 ng/m(MP) to 6.46 ng/mL(2,4D). Intra-day precisions expressed as relative standard deviation were all below 15% while accuracy was shown to range from 67.10% (2,4-D) to 102.39% (MBP). MP was detected in nine samples (12.86%) with a geometric mean value of 10.15 ng/ml (range: 3.62-52.39 ng/ml). MBP was detected in 68 samples (97.14%) with a geometric mean value of 97.62 ng/ml (range: 15.32-698.18 ng/ml). BPA was detected only once (9.58 ng/ml) while 2, 4-D was not detected in all samples. Conclusion A UPLC-QTOF mass spectrometry method to detect four EDCs at parts per billion level (ng/ml) was adapted and applied for analysis of urine samples. This method can find applicability in routine testing of clinical specimens as well as surveillance and other epidemiological studies.
Endocrine Disruptors

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Oral ivermectin, a broad-spectrum anti-parasitic drug, alone or in combination with permethrin, may be a cheaper and more convenient alternative drug to topical permethrin alone in the treatment of classic scabies. There are no previous studies on the treatment acceptability of the three interventions among individual patients with scabies in the Philippines. The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences and perceptions on treatment acceptability for oral ivermectin, topical permethrin or combination treatment among patients with scabies using the multiple-case study approach.

METHODS

We conducted a qualitative multiple case study among adult Filipino patients with classic scabies who were prescribed oral ivermectin, topical permethrin or its combination at a government tertiary hospital dermatology outpatient clinic from December 2022 to September 2023. Semi-structured interviews were used as the primary source of data and analyzed together with chart reviews, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores, and clinical images. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and triangulated with other secondary data. A three-person research team employed a reflexive and iterative process of familiarization, coding, and thematic analysis using a modified Theoretical Framework of Acceptability (TFA) to generate case descriptions, within-case analyses, and cross-case syntheses.

RESULTS

The acceptability of scabies treatments (permethrin, ivermectin, and combination therapy) was generally positive. Permethrin, used in three patient cases, was generally perceived as effective but itch relief varied. The burden of whole-body application of permethrin was context-dependent, influenced by living arrangements and family support. Perceived affordability of permethrin was linked to socioeconomic status. Ivermectin, used by one patient case, was perceived as highly effective with no side effects. Its single dose use did not interfere with patient routine. Combination therapy was also considered effective but potential antagonistic effects and the cost of adding permethrin made it less preferred. Reluctance in taking oral pills was noted. All patients valued medical advice and deferred to their physicians for treatment decisions.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

All three treatment options were considered effective and safe. Patients generally preferred permethrin over oral ivermectin due to its topical nature and perceived lower side effects. However, affordability and logistical challenges, especially for large households and low-income families, were noted with permethrin. Oral ivermectin elicited hesitation due to its controversial role in COVID-19 and veterinary use. Concerns about added costs and potential antagonism in combination therapy were raised. Despite these considerations, patients ultimately relied on physicians for treatment decisions. This study underscores the importance of understanding patient perspectives, experiences, and the patient-physician relationship in choosing scabies interventions. Addressing patient concerns, providing education, and ensuring ease of use and affordability can enhance treatment acceptability and adherence for better outcomes.

Human ; Scabies ; Ivermectin ; Permethrin ; Case Study ; Case Reports ; Qualitative Research

Background and Objective: Oral ivermectin is recommended as an alternative to topical permethrin in Japanese, European, and CDC-STI guidelines for treating classic scabies. The combination of oral ivermectin and topical permethrin is also used in some settings. Partial economic evaluations conducted in India and Egypt have conflicting results, and no cost-effectiveness analysis in the Philippines has compared ivermectin-based regimens to permethrin for scabies treatment. We aimed to determine the cost-effectiveness of oral ivermectin, alone or in combination with permethrin, compared to permethrin, in the treatment of Filipino adult patients with classic scabies. Methods: We used a decision tree model to estimate the cost-effectiveness of two regimens, oral ivermectin alone or in combination with permethrin, compared with permethrin to treat adults and children aged five years and older with classic scabies in the outpatient setting from the household perspective in the Philippines. We estimated total costs and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) over a one-month follow-up. Input parameters were obtained from secondary data, such as effect estimates for probabilities of clinical outcomes from a network meta-analysis, DALYs from the Global Burden of Disease 2019, and prevailing market cost in the Philippines (DPRI 2022 with recommended markup by DOH, and leading drugstores) as of August 2022. We computed for incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) and net monetary benefit (NMB) to determine which of the interventions are cost-effective. Univariate and probabilistic sensitivity analyses, and scenario analyses were conducted to assess the impact of parameter and structural uncertainty. Results: Ivermectin-based regimens are suggested to be likely cost-saving compared to permethrin in the Philippine outpatient setting. Base case analysis showed that oral ivermectin had higher cost-savings (change in cost, -1,039.31; change in DALYS, 0.00027), while combination oral ivermectin/permethrin had higher DALYs averted (change in cost, PhP -1,019.78; change in DALYs, 0.00045), compared to permethrin. Combination oral ivermectin/permethrin (56%) was the most cost-effective, followed by oral ivermectin (44%) compared to permethrin (0%) through probabilistic sensitivity analysis. Estimates for ivermectin were sensitive to risk of cure for ivermectin vs permethrin using 1-way deterministic sensitivity analysis. Oral ivermectin was favored over combination oral ivermectin/permethrin at all thresholds based on the cost-effectiveness acceptability curve. Conclusion Both ivermectin-based regimens seem to be cost-saving compared to permethrin in the treatment of classic scabies in the Philippine outpatient setting. Clinicians may consider oral ivermectin, alone or in combination with permethrin as an alternative first-line or second-line treatment depending on patient preference, adverse event risk profile, availability, and economic capacity. This needs to be confirmed using primary data from Filipino patients to enhance the robustness of the findings and support evidence-based local decision-making in different settings. Less uncertainty in modelled parameters can give greater confidence in the results, which can be adopted for budget impact analysis and allow more rational resource allocation. Value of information analysis can be done to determine whether the expense of future RCTs or surveys in Filipinos to collect primary data is worth it. The cost of reducing uncertainty, if deemed worth the cost of further studies, may facilitate population-level decision-making and budget planning. Findings may further inform practice guideline development, coverage decisions, and national control program planning by providing the most cost-effective scabies intervention.
Scabies ; Ivermectin ; Permethrin ; Cost-Benefit Analysis