The Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) survey in Davao Region conducted by the Department of Health-Davao Center for Health Development (DOH-DCHD), with technical support from the DOH-Epidemiology Bureau and World Health Organization–Philippines, was a descriptive study done to determine the prevalence of NCD risk factors among adults from October 2018 to February 2019. A total of 5,312 participants from 6 cities and 43 municipalities in Region XI (at least 100 participants per city or municipality) were interviewed for this study. The mean age of the participants was 45.4 ± 12.6 years, and the sex distribution was 62.6% (3,323/5,312) women and 37.4% (1,989/5,312) men.1 This infographic shows the alcoholic beverage drinking, smoking, diet, and exercise profiles of the participants of the survey. The results show that 935/5,312 of adult participants in Davao Region currently smoke tobacco products. A total of 37 (0.7%) participants use electronic cigarettes. Davao City has the highest proportion of participants who use electronic cigarettes (3.8%). Two out of 5 adults consumed alcoholic beverage within 12 months prior to interview, and out of those two, one engaged in heavy episodic drinking (had 6 or more standard drinks on at least one occasion) within 30 days prior to interview. With regard to diet, the average days the participants consume fruits per week is 3 days, with 812/5,312 of the participants eating fruits everyday. The average days participants consume vegetables per week is 6 days, with 3,621/5,312 participants eating vegetables everyday. On average, the participants consume 2 bowls (or around 300 g) of fruits, and 2 bowls (or around 300 g) of vegetables per day. The proportion of participants with insufficient physical activity based on the levels of physical activity for adults recommended by the World Health Organization2 is 62.5% (3,320/5,312). Among the participants aged 18-65 years old, 2,819 has work that does not involve moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity. There are 2,629/5,312 participants who are classified as overweight/obese (BMI of ≥ 25).
Noncommunicable Diseases

The prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) across the globe has reached epidemic proportions, with more than three quarters of NCD deaths now occurring in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC).1 NCDs encompass a broad range of chronic conditions, which include cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes, and mental disorders.2 To mitigate the growing global NCD burden and its associated challenges, upscaling high-impact essential interventions for the prevention and control of NCDs has remained a priority, especially in low-resource settings. One such intervention is strengthening self-care strategies or self-management of individuals living with NCDs.3 In the past few decades, the self-management approach to NCD has proven to be a cost-effective strategy to improve a patient’s quality of life by reducing symptom severity and decreasing pain. This approach has also encouraged patients to become key decision makers in the treatment process.4 Self-management includes both technological (e.g. smartphone applications, telemonitoring systems, or wearable devices) and non-technological interventions (social support, educational materials, or in-person training seminars).5 Telemedicine has played several important roles in the whole spectrum of care for patients with NCD. These include promotion of healthy behaviors, prevention of risk factors, prompt recognition and initiation of treatment, disease monitoring and follow-up, rehabilitation, and palliation. Telemedicine not only increases access to health care but also improves the quality of health care especially in rural areas.6 7 The unique challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic has limited patient access to health care, especially in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas. This literature review aims to determine the effectiveness of telemedicine on clinical and psychosocial outcomes of adult patients diagnosed with NCDs. We conducted a literature search on PubMed, EBSCOhost, ProQuest, Google Scholar, and Gale using the search words “telemedicine,” “adult,” “non-communicable disease,” “self-management,” and “teleconsultation.” We filtered the results to only include randomized controlled trials (RCT). To narrow down the scope of this literature review, only previous studies that compared telemedicine and usual care (non-telemedicine) among adults with non-communicable diseases, and those that report clinical and psychosocial outcomes—i.e., symptom outcomes, laboratory outcomes, knowledge on disease, or behavior outcomes that pertain to self-management of disease—were assessed. We excluded studies if they were done among patients <18 years old, if they included telemedicine that supplemented rather than replaced the usual (face-to-face) care, if they were not able to report outcomes between groups, or if they did not meet the criteria of a RCT. Two reviewers independently reviewed the abstracts yielded from the search strategy and assessed them based on the set criteria. If neither reviewer was able to rule out an article based on the abstract, the full text was retrieved and assessed to determine inclusion into the study. After the final assessment, a total of 9 RCT reports were included in this review. The general characteristics and key findings of the 9 studies included in this literature review are summarized in Table 1. The included studies, published in various journals between 2014 and 2021, were carried out in eight countries—two studies were done in Australia, and one each in Bangladesh, India, Italy, USA, Germany, China, and the Netherlands. The studies enrolled patients who were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) (n=3), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (n=1), type 1 DM (n=1), congestive heart failure (n=1), stroke (n=1), osteoarthritis (n=1), and various non-specific chronic conditions, including type 2 DM, hypertension, coronary artery diseases, heart failure, chronic depression, and schizophrenia (n=1). The sample sizes of the studies included ranged from 29 to 10,815 participants. Follow-up periods ranged from 3 to 36 months. The telemedicine techniques that were used in the studies included mobile phone-based health interventions, telemedicine-based visits, and telephone-based health coaching. In general, most of the studies included in this review reported that telemedicine is as good as, if not better than, usual care approaches in achieving clinical and psychosocial outcomes.
Noncommunicable Diseases ; Chronic Disease

Introduction: The global trend of decreasing mortality and decreasing fertility, has brought about “Population Aging”. The steady increase in the number of geriatric patients calls for the need to improve the holistic management of illnesses of this population. Objective: The objective of the study is to identify the common illnesses of geriatric patients seen at the Manila Doctors’ Hospital - Department of Family and Community Medicine Clinic at Barangay 662, Paco, Manila, from June 2011 to December 2016. Methods: This a retrospective-descriptive study. Barangay 662, at Cristobal St., Paco, Manila, has been the adopted community of the MDH-DFCM since June of 2011. All patients aged sixty (60) years old and above seen at the said clinic were included in this study. Baseline demographics were obtained and patients’ charts were used as basis for this study. Frequency of consults and demographic data were tallied at the time of consult. Qualitative variables and percentages were analysed for this study Results: Over a span of 6 years, the most common illness of geriatric patients seen at the MDH-DFCM Clinic were osteoarthritis (n=145), hypertensive cardiovascular disease (n=126) and hypertension stage 2 (n=124). There were more consults by female patients (69% n=458). Purok 4 had the most number of consults (28% n=144). According to the ICD-10, reasons for consult belonged to disease of the circulatory system (n=344). Conclusion This study concludes that the most common illnesses of geriatric patients seen at the MDH-DFCM Clinic at Barangay 662, Paco, Manila, from June 2011 to December 2016 were non-communicable diseases.
Humans ; Noncommunicable Diseases

BACKGROUND

From 2013 to 2021, the University of the Philippines Community Health and Development Program (UP CHDP) was in partnership with Cavite and its five municipalities of Alfonso, Mendez, Indang, General Emilio Aguinaldo, and Amadeo (AMIGA). They aimed to improve the control of hypertension and diabetes through interventions such as the organization of community health clubs, as recommended by the Department of Health in 2016. Currently there is limited information on the experiences and outcomes related to this strategy. Data on this can help the community and public health institutions in understanding and maximizing the benefits of organizing community health clubs for noncommunicable disease control.

This study aimed to determine a community health club’s membership profile, its organization and maintenance processes, and the benefits, challenges, and enabling factors experienced.

This case study-mixed method was done in 2020 on the Challengers Health Club in Alfonso, Cavite. Group interviews of the club officers and barangay health workers were conducted to explore the club processes, their perceived benefits, challenges, and enabling factors. Health records were reviewed to determine the club’s membership profile.

The community health club showed an increase in membership since it was established. Most members are elderly, female, non-smoker, and hypertensive. There was increase in proportion of members with controlled hypertension after two years. However, this was not observed among those with diabetes. Perceived benefits for members were free, regular, and accessible services, improved knowledge and better control of their condition, and opportunity to socialize with others. Enabling factors were partnership with UP, teamwork and dedication of club leaders, effective management, and community support. The limited funding and supply of medicines, discontinuation of deployment of UP partners, and the COVID-19 pandemic were the challenges identified by the club.

This study described the experiences of a community health club established to control hypertension and diabetes. Benefits of this intervention were reported despite the challenges they encountered because of the support mechanisms that were in place.
 

Initial Planning: Statement 1: A Community-oriented Health Care Plan that contains tasks and activities related to the community organization, environment, health care and social processes in order to mitigate the effect of the COVID-19 epidemic on the community should be developed. Statement 2: The plan should also include adjustments needed to continue the delivery of other health services i.e. maternal and child health, immunization, treatment of other communicable and non-communicable disease but with strict COVID-19 transmission precautions. Adjustment in the Community Organization and Environment: Statement 3: A local task force should be organized to develop and implement the community health plan. The task force should be recognized and supported by the whole community. Statement 4: A facility in the barangay that can be used for isolation in case that a member will be diagnosed to have mild COVID-19. A hospital facility for referral of high-risk cases should also be identified and an emergency referral and transport plan should be established. Statement 5: All community health workers should wear appropriate personal protective equipment in the process of performing their community health work. Statement 6: Households in the community who have members at high-risk i.e. more than 60 years old, with existing chronic illness or other life-threatening condition should be identified and advised to take extra precautions i.e. personal hygiene, wearing mask and physical distancing. Statement 7: During the declared community quarantine period by the community or higher-level authority, all community members and household should be advised to stay at home, limit celebrations and community gatherings Performance of Routine Tasks and Activities: Statement 8: A community-directed information, education and communication (IEC) plan should be developed and implemented for the following: a) Informing every household in the community on the basic and accurate information about COVID-19 and the community plan. b) Encouraging everyone to practice personal hygiene that includes regular and appropriate hand washing, daily bath, coughing and sneezing etiquette, wearing of mask, minimizing hand contact with eyes, nose and mouth and strict personal use of eating utensils, bath towels, etc. c) Encouraging everyone to clean everyday frequently touched surface like doorknobs, light and appliance control switch, gadgets, armchairs and tabletops. Cleaning agents can be ordinary detergents and water or 70% alcohol. d) Encouraging everyone to report and seek help to the community health worker if a household member is exposed and developed mild symptoms of COVID-19 What to Do When a Member or Household is Exposed or Diagnosed COVID-19: Statement 9: If there is a household whose member is exposed to a COVID-19, the person should be encouraged to stay home preferably in a room or area adequate for isolation, wear mask and maintain at least 2 meters physical distance from other family members. Statement 10: Other household members should be advised to watch out and monitor for the appearance of symptoms like fever, colds and cough. If the person is low risk but there is difficulty of breathing or worsening of symptoms or if the person is high risk i.e. elderly or with existing chronic disease and symptoms appear, they encouraged to inform the community health worker and facilitate the necessary referral and transport arrangement to the hospital. Call first before going. Statement 11: If the symptoms are mild, continue home isolation or in the isolation facility identified by the community, take over-thecounter medications like paracetamol for fever, increase water intake and ensure adequate nutrition, sleep and rest. Family members and community health workers are encouraged to provide psychological and social support to isolated patients. Discontinuation of isolation can be done if symptoms resolve within 14-21 days Epidemiology and Surveillance Statement 12: The municipal or city health office should be provided daily with a situation report of the implementation of communityoriented health care for COVID-19. Situation report should include: a) The number of exposed, number of diagnosed cases, number of mild cases, number of cases referred to the hospital and number of cases recovered or died in the community. b) Brief description of best practices
COVID-19 ; Noncommunicable Diseases ; Quarantine

Background Primary health care (PHC) is an important strategy in the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases (NCD). Over the last ten years, the Philippine health sector has attempted to strengthen service delivery and health financing for PHC to address NCDs. This study aimed to describe and identify the challenges and best practices for NCD services in select local government units (LGUs) in the Philippines.
Noncommunicable Diseases ; Primary Health Care

Humans ; Noncommunicable Diseases/epidemiology* ; China/epidemiology*

Objective: This study aims to determine the prevalence of risk factors of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in 16 barangays of the AMIGA municipalities of Cavite. Methods: The research is a cross-sectional study. Randomly chosen participants were interviewed using a translated version of the WHO Steps questionnaire. Interviewees were then invited to participate in another session where their anthropometric measurements were taken and their fasting blood sugar and cholesterol levels were determined. Results: The research was done in 12 out of the 16 targeted barangays. A total of 1,527 participants were interviewed and 1,123 of them completed the study. The most significant findings in all 12 barangays were a very high rate of passive smoking (range of 60-80%); a relatively high proportion of respondents with obesity by all 3 parameters (BMI 29-52%; waist circumference 42-78%; and waist-to-hip ratio 41-78%) despite sufficient intake of fruits and vegetables and more than adequate physical activity; and a high proportion of participants with hypertension (more than 30% in 8 out of 12 barangays) and diabetes mellitus (more than 8% in 7 out of 12 barangays). Conclusion A high prevalence of risk factors of NCDs, particularly obesity, hypertension, and diabetes was found in the 12 barangays of AMIGA that participated in the study. Results of this study should provide the baseline data against which the success of an ongoing program in the area can be measured.
Cities ; Noncommunicable Diseases ; World Health Organization ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Risk Factors

More studies show that various diseases, especially chronic non-infectious diseases, have developmental origin. Developmental origins of diseases are mainly due to gametes and early life development stage being exposed to adverse environment, resulting in abnormal modification of epigenetic and stable inheritance to the adult stage, which could make the risk of various long-term diseases of individuals high. The theory of developmental origin provides a new perspective for the occurrence and development of diseases, and also provides a theoretical basis for disease prevention. Attaching importance to maternal and child health care and life-cycle management is conducive to the prevention of developmental diseases and is of great significance to the improvement of population quality.
Adult ; Humans ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Chronic Disease ; Noncommunicable Diseases/genetics*

During a person's entire life, nutrition is essential for growth, development, maintenance, reproduction, disease control and health. Based on a brief review of existing research on lifelong nutrition, this article focuses on the relationship between early life nutrition and noninfectious chronic diseases (NCDs) in adulthood. It points out that early life is the most important stage, with the rapid growth and development of the body and strong requirements for energy and nutrients. Due to the "metabolic memory", insufficient or imbalanced nutrition at this stage affects not only the growth and development of the body, but also leads to increased risks of NCDs in adulthood. In addition to early life, the reasonable intake of nutrients in throughout life plays an important role in meeting the basic requirements of the body and the control of NCDs.
Adult ; Chronic Disease ; Humans ; Noncommunicable Diseases/prevention & control* ; Nutritional Status