This study deals with the public health effects of a natural disaster and some public health principles that can be applied to disaster risk reduction and management, focusing on earthquake preparedness for Barangay San Jose - Rodriguez, Rizal, Philippines. The study showed that the urban poor community has a weak history of engagement, and it explores whether facilitated community interventions can empower and develop community preparedness. It followed a participatory approach involving community leaders and members. The study indicated that enhancing and modifying interventions that match community needs will develop community preparedness in the community, potentially increasing the chances of surviving an earthquake and minimizing its deleterious and damaging impact. Community preparedness will require continuous involvement and a cooperative approach to working with communities to support equal and harmonized development.
Public health ; Capacity Building ; Risk Reduction Behavior

OBJECTIVE: To compare the incidence of acute otitis media among children aged 2 to 6 months old in Sampaloc, Manila who were previously given 3 doses of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (Non-Typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) protein D, diphtheria or tetanus toxoid conjugates) and those who did not receive the vaccine over a period of one year.
METHODS:
Design: Cohort Study
Setting: Primary Health Center in Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines
Participants: Medical records of well children aged 2 to 6 months were reviewed for inclusion. Participants were categorized into vaccinated and unvaccinated groups. Both groups underwent baseline history and physical examination including otoscopy and any signs and symptoms of active ear infection were noted. Subjects were followed up for a period of one year on a monthly basis for signs or symptoms of acute otitis media.
RESULTS: A total of 176 subjects participated in the study. The overall incidence of AOM among participants was 5.11% (9 out of 176). An AOM incidence of 3.75% (3 out of 80) and 6.25% (6 out of 96) was found among the exposed and unexposed groups, respectively. Fisher's exact test (one-tailed) p value= .34, relative risk (RR) .6 (95% Cl 0.155, 2.323).
CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed no difference in the development of AOM in the two groups. However, based on the relative risk, Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is still beneficial in preventing AOM in children.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Infant ; Diphtheria ; Otoscopy ; Inflammation