Objective: This paper aims to determine the knowledge, perceptions and attitudes of 3rd year medical students towards violence against women. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional survey was conducted among 224 third year medical students of 3 medical schools in Metro Manila using the pre-tested and validated Knowledge, Attitudes & Perceptions Towards Violence Against Women (KAP- VAW) questionnaire for health professionals. Results: Only the more obvious physical signs of injury were associated with the more readily identifiable forms of abuse- physical and sexual- while subjective somatic complaints, mental and psychological signs and symptoms were less likely associated with VAW. Verbal and economic abuse were hardly known forms of abuse. The more commonly perceived reason for a woman to remain in an abusive relationship was due to her emotional dependence, while a variety of negative characteristics were enumerated to explain the abusive husbands behavior- egotism, sadism, insecurity and jealousy. Despite the fact that almost all the students (99.2 percent) expressed a positive attitude towards the abused woman, only 24.8 percent felt they were ready to actually handle such cases. Conclusion: Although medical students were aware of the impact of violence against women and seemed eager to learn more while in medical school, there was some hesitancy in actually managing such cases as they felt they didnt know enough, thus it is highly recommended that the medical curriculum include training modules on wife abuse.
Human ; Male ; Female ; VIOLENCE ; SPOUSE ABUSE ; PERCEPTION ; ATTITUDE ; STUDENTS, MEDICAL

Background and Objectives With the global population aging, there is an emerging need for access to quality longterm care (LTC) services. Many countries have developed LTC systems while others are at the infancy stage. This paper aimed to provide an overview of the country’s readiness for LTC based on the perspectives of relevant stakeholders. Specifically, it described the roles, initiatives, and challenges of relevant organizations and community leaders for LTC provision. It also described the older persons (OPs) and carers’ perspectives towards LTC including their awareness, capacity, and preferences.
Home Care Services ; Long-Term Care ; Nursing Homes ; Philippines

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

With the global population aging, there is an emerging need for access to quality longterm care (LTC) services. Many countries have developed LTC systems while others are at the infancy stage. This paper aimed to provide an overview of the country’s readiness for LTC based on the perspectives of relevant stakeholders. Specifically, it described the roles, initiatives, and challenges of relevant organizations and community leaders for LTC provision. It also described the older persons (OPs) and carers’ perspectives towards LTC including their awareness, capacity, and preferences.

METHODS

The study utilized a descriptive design using qualitative methods of data collection namely key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs). Participating institutions and their designated representatives were purposively sampled as key informants. OPs and carers from select barangays in NCR and Region IVA participated in the FGDs. Guided by the interpretivism approach, thematic analysis was performed. A trained research assistant coded the FGD and KII transcripts through the Nvivo PRO plus software and verified by the first author. Themes were reviewed and validated by the multidisciplinary team.

RESULTS

A total of 15 KIIs and two FGDs were conducted. The participating institutions and organizations were found to have varied roles and initiatives relevant to LTC; from strategic planning, development of policies and standards of care, training and capacity-building, and up to the actual implementation of LTC services. Identified challenges include implementation issues, financial issues, lack of political and stakeholder support, OPs and familial issues, and lack of knowledge on LTC.

Participants shared their description on what LTC is, an LTC facility, and the conditions of those in LTC facility. OPs expressed their willingness to utilize LTC services and identified several factors related to their preferred LTC arrangements. Carers identified various topics related to taking care of OPs that they would like to learn.

CONCLUSION

The roles, initiatives, and awareness of relevant stakeholders, older persons, and carers towards LTC were found to greatly vary. Policy makers, health workforce, families, communities, and the older persons themselves should have a better understanding of longterm care before they can provide or utilize the system. With the current landscape of LTC provision, the country still has a long way to go in achieving the integrated continuum of LTC appropriate to promote healthy aging. Promoting awareness, integrating LTC in the current programs and services for older persons in the country, capacitating the formal and non-formal caregivers, and strengthening collaborations are recommended.

Further research on quantitative measures of readiness for long-term care with focus on the health system and in-depth studies on the varieties or models of long-term care are recommended.

Home Care Services ; Long-term Care ; Nursing Homes ; Philippines