OBJECTIVE: The main objective of the study is to determine the factors which contribute to the delay in the initiation of treatment of TB patients enrolled in the TB control program in a highly urbanized city in the Philippines.
METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in 14 health centers in the city; from which the proportion of TB patients who experienced delay in the initiation of treatment (>1 day after diagnosis) was obtained through records review. The health system and patient factors which contributed to the patients' delay were determined through face-to-face interviews. The information obtained was analyzed with supplemental information from interviews with selected health workers in the tuberculosis control program of the city.
RESULTS: These showed that 20.95% of the TB patients enrolled in the TB control program of the city experienced delay in the initiation of treatment. They experienced a mean delay of 9.48 days. The health system and patient factors which affected the patients the most were the referral system (24.5%) and conflict between treatment and work or household responsibilities (22.4%), respectively.
CONCLUSION: These existing delay imply he need to implement interventions directed to improving current measures to control TB in the country.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Young Adult ; Adolescent ; Patients ; Diagnosis ; Sputum ; Cross-sectional Studies ; Family Characteristics ; Philippines ; Referral And Consultation ; Tuberculosis ; Urbanization ; Directly Observed Therapy ; Time-to-treatment

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of mustard green leaf decoction as an adjunct to drug treatment in controlling blood glucose among Filipinos with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Participants were randomly assigned to receive mustard green decoction or a placebo solution for eight weeks on top of their oral anti-hyperglycemic medication. Fasting blood sugar and complete blood counts were determined at baseline, Week 4 and Week 8, and compared within and across the two groups. RESULTS: There was a decreasing trend in the blood sugar level in the mustard green group while the opposite was noted in the placebo group. The mean FBS levels of the mustard green group were significantly lower than that of the placebo group at the Week 8 determination (6.10 vs 8.69 mmol/ L, p = 0.004). The decrease in blood sugar level on the eighth week in the mustard green group was significant compared with the baseline level (p = 0.008). CONCLUSION This study has demonstrated that the intake of Brassica juncea decoction can significantly decrease blood sugar levels among type 2 diabetics compared to metformin alone.