Mental Health ; Capacity Building

INTRODUCTION: There is limited data regarding the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of nurses
towards psychiatric disorders in the Philippines. Hence, this study aimed to assess the KAP of nursing
staff in a tertiary hospital on depressive disorders and determine differences in their KAP in relation to
sociodemographic variables.

METHODS: The study, which involved 116 Filipino nurses, was divided into two phases. Phase 1 was the
creation and validation of a KAP questionnaire, and Phase 2 was a descriptive cross-sectional study to
determine the KAP of the nurses using the validated questionnaire. Frequencies and differences in KAP
scores in relation to sociodemographic variables were analyzed using independent t-test, ANOVA and
chi-square via SPSS v.24. Ethics approval was secured for both phases of the study.

RESULTS: The questionnaire was validated after two rounds of expert validation. Phase 2 results revealed
that the mean knowledge of nurses was lower than expected. They had overall good attitudes, with nurses
without previous mental health work experience having higher attitude scores towards functioning and
prognosis. However, specific negative attitudes were noted. Overall, good practices were also noted, with
42.2% of the sample having had encountered a depressed patient at work and male nurses having higher
practice scores compared to females.

CONCLUSION: The nurses had overall good attitude and practices, but still had inadequate knowledge and
some negative attitudes towards depressive disorders. This signifies the need for continuing mental health
education among nursing staff in the Philippines.

Human ; Depression ; Depressive Disorder ; Nurses

OBJECTIVE: This paper sought to describe the prevalence rate of postpartum depression in patients seen for follow-up at the UERMMMCI Obstetrics and Gynecology Services from June 01, 2012 to May 31, 2013.

METHODOLOGY: Participants of the study included mothers who sought consult at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Service of the UERMMMCI  Outpatient Department after giving birth. These participants were recruited via convenience sampling. A survey method was used to determine variables under study, which included age, relational status and length of relationship, occupation, income, presence of feto-maternal complications, and manner of delivery, while the Filipino version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to screen depression risk. Ethics approval was secured prior to study initiation. Analysis of data was done using SPSS v.16.0.

RESULTS: A total of fifty-one mothers participated in the study. Of the total sample, the majority were of adult age and were unemployed. It was observed that 20% of the sample had an EPDS of 10 and above, with 6% having an EPDS score of 14 and above. Mothers who presented with higher EPDS scores were noted to have had a caesarean section delivery and feto-maternal complications after delivery.

CONCLUSION: The study showed that the prevalence of post partum depression was clinically significant to warrant routine screening among mothers.

Human ; Female ; Depression, Postpartum

INTRODUCTION: The increasing prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders in children produces a major impact in the lives of their families. The caregivers of these children have demanding experiences which may lead to development of depression and/or anxiety. This study sought to determine the prevalence of depression and anxiety among caregivers of pediatric patients with neurodevelopmental disorders seen at the UERMMMCI Pediatrics Outpatient Department. It likewise sought to examine factors associated with depression and anxiety. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center, Inc. Pediatrics Outpatient Department from October 2017 to March 2018 involving caregivers of children with neurodevelopmental anomalies. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, the Filipino version of the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), Brief Multidimensional Measure of Religiousness and Spirituality (BMMRS) Scale, and Primary Caregivers Practices Report were administered to caregivers who met the study criteria and gave their consent. Associations between variables were determined using chi-square analysis and subgroup analysis. RESULTS: More than a third of participants (36.0%) had at least mild anxiety, 29.5% had at least mild depression, and almost half had mild to moderate levels of caregiver burden. There was a signifcant association between the severity of anxiety and the diagnosis of the child (x2 = 23.24, p = 0.006), severity of depressive symptoms (x2 = 93.03, p < 0.001), and level of caregiver burden (x2 = 28.99, p < 0.001). There was a signifcant association between the severity of depressive symptoms and the diagnosis of the child (x2 = 35.34, p < 0.001) and level of caregiver burden (x2 = 38.12, p < 0.001). The level of caregiver burden was associated with the presence and severity of anxiety (x2 = 28.99, p < 0.001) and depressive symptoms (x2 = 38.12, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION There were signifcant associations between anxiety, depression, and caregiver burden among caregivers of pediatric patients with neurodevelopmental illnesses. Anxiety and depression scores were found to be correlated with the specifc diagnosis of the child, while caregiver burden was signifcantly associated with the duration of the child’s illness.
Caregivers