BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The study presented and compared the level of marital satisfaction of male and female Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) night shift workers. Prior to this study, there were researches that looked into the effect of night shift or nonstandard work schedule on the workers' marital life. There were also studies that tried to connect shift work to the quality of married life of BPO workers in the Philippines but they were conducted using the perspectives of the wives only. Thus, this study offered a holistic view on marital satisfaction because it took into consideration the views of both husbands and wives.

METHODS AND RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-six males and females in Metro Manila were purposefully selected and surveyed, of whom 11 were interviewed face to face. Data from the survey were analyzed using Mann Whitney U Test of Significance. Information from the qualitative interview was used to validate quantitative data.

RESULTS: Results showed that male and female BPO night shift workers were satisfied with their marriage. There is no significant difference in the level of marital satisfaction of males and females.

CONCLUSION: It is very evident from the study findings that economic and financial capacity affects marital satisfaction. This study can also help practitioners of pre-marital counseling. It was found in the study that compatibility of the couples' expectations in the marriage and with each other influenced marital satisfaction. 

Promoting positive birth experiences may help create circumstances amenable to enhancing the quality of obstetric care and improving outcomes for mothers and infants. This study aims to examine the relationship between childbirth satisfaction and maternal confidence during early postpartum period in mothers from maternity units of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study utilizing Women's Views of Birth Labour Satisfaction Questionnaire (WOMBLSQ) and Maternal Confidence Questionnaire (MCQ). To correlate the level of childbirth satisfaction and maternal role confidence of early postpartum mothers, Pearson's R correlation was used. A p value of 0.05 was taken for statistical significance. It revealed that the early postpartum mother respondents in the study were satisfied with their childbirth experience and confident with their maternal role. Moreover, the childbirth satisfaction was positively correlated with maternal role confidence. It is implicated in the practice of healthcare professionals to provide better understanding of the factors that influence maternal role within their particular social contexts.

Laryngosternopexy is a suturing method between the thyroid lamina and sternal ligament in order to relieve tension from the anastomosis when performing segmental resection of the airway.  A thick absorbable monofilament suture is passed through thyroid lamina and the interclavicular ligament of the sternum in a figure of eight fashion as described by Castellanos.1,2 In laryngosternopexy, the suture support is ventral to the anastomotic site in the midline. However, this places the "pexy" sutures in the way, making a tracheotomy and second stage decannulation difficult. We describe a modified laryngosternopexy (laryngoclaviculopexy) that can be performed with the "pexy" sutures out of the way to allow access to the trachea, and our initial experience with three patients.

OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to describe an unconventional surgical procedure performed in a case of penetrating neck injury involving the larynx.

METHODS:

Design: Case Report

Setting: Tertiary Government Hospital

Population:          One

RESULTS: A 38-year-old man sustained a hacking laceration to the anterior neck that extended into the hypopharyngeal area, transecting the thyroid cartilage. After pre-emptive tracheostomy, the patient was referred to otorhinolaryngology - head and neck surgery due to the extensive hypopharyngeal injury. Neck exploration performed to control bleeders confirmed a Schaefer-Fuhrman Classification Group 3 penetrating neck injury. Anastomotic reconstruction of the hypopharynx, transected thyroid cartilage and strap muscles was attempted using absorbable sutures with post-operative re-establishment of structural continuity and documentation of full bilateral vocal fold mobility. The patient was about to be discharged home with a tracheotomy and nasogastric tube when he suddenly deteriorated and expired on the eighth post-operative day.

CONCLUSION:  Our technique might be utilized in cases where urgent reconstruction of laryngeal structures is considered despite serious damage to the laryngeal skeleton, and may provide a temporary surgical option for similar cases in an emergent setting. However, we cannot recommend it as a routine standard on the basis of one case.

KEYWORDS:  larynx; penetrating neck injury; vocal cord; reconstruction, neck exploration

A 41-year-old man presented with an 8-year history of recurrent mouth ulcers, previously treated with unrecalled antibiotics and vitamins but with no relief. Examination showed a 2.0 x 1.0 cm hard, immovable ulcer at the right lateral tongue. On further interview, a history of repeated biting trauma on the site of the lesion was elicited. The clinical impression was a non-healing tongue ulcer. Incision biopsy of the lesion was performed and the specimen sent for histopathologic evaluation.

The specimen consisted of three, cream-tan, irregularly-shaped soft tissues measuring up to 0.9 cm in widest diameter. The cut sections of the tissues showed a tan-pink to cream-white soft cut surface. Microscopic examination showed a squamous epithelium-lined tissue with a dense polymorphic infiltrate of inflammatory cells rich in neutrophils, eosinophils, plasma cells and large atypical mononuclear cells, and accompanying granulation tissue formation. (Figure 1 and 2) Immunohistochemical studies showed CD20 expression of B-cells in the lymphoid follicles, with CD3 and CD5 highlighting the surrounding T-cells. The plasma cells are staining for both kappa and lambda, with kappa-lambda ratio of 3:1. The Ki-67 showed a high proliferation index within the reactive germinal centers, and scattered low proliferative activity within the interfollicular areas. (Figure 3) Given the morphologic and immunohistochemical profile of the lesion, we diagnosed it as traumatic ulcerative granuloma with stromal eosinophilia.

Traumatic ulcerative granuloma with stromal eosinophilia (TUGSE) is considered a rare lesion of the oral mucosa. First described in 1881 by Riga then defined histologically in 1890 by Fede,1,2 it has since been called by a variety of terms including traumatic ulcerative granuloma, ulcerative eosinophilic granuloma, and Riga-Fede disease in infants and neonates. The term TUGSE was first coined by Elzay in 1983 to delineate it from more aggressive conditions such as eosinophilic granuloma, eosinophilic fasciitis and carcinoma with stromal eosinophilia.3 It is a benign, chronic, self-limiting lesion of the oral mucosa.1,2

TUGSE typically manifests as an isolated ulcer with elevated margins or an indurated submucosal mass, most commonly affecting the dorsal or lateral surfaces of the tongue but can be found in other locations in the oral mucosa such as the lip, palate, and gingiva. 2,4 The lesions can also be multifocal and recurrent, and can persist from several weeks to months, but will heal without treatment; a wide age range of patients can be affected, with a peak incidence in the sixth and seventh decades of life, with only a slight female predominance.1,4 Due to its clinical manifestation, it can often be mistaken for malignancy or an infection; however, its microscopic and immunohistochemical features, self-limiting nature and spontaneous resolution indicate a benign reactive process.1,2

Histologically, TUGSE is characterized by a diffuse polymorphic infiltrate of inflammatory cells that can extend deep into the submucosa and skeletal muscle; it is predominantly composed of eosinophils, B and T lymphocytes, macrophages, with atypical large mononuclear cells.1,2,4 These atypical cells have abundant pale cytoplasm, irregular nuclear contours, small nucleoli and fine chromatin.1,2,4 The origin of these large mononuclear cells are still disputed and have been reported to originate from lineages such as histiocytes (CD68), dendritic cells (factor XIII), myofibroblasts (vimentin) and T-lymphocytes due to their variable immunohistochemical characteristics.1,2,4 The immunostains performed in our case showed intact B-cell compartment highlighted using CD20, and intact T-cell compartment using CD3 and CD5. The plasma cells are polyclonal to kappa and lambda. The proliferation index using Ki-67 is high within the reactive germinal centers, and low in the interfollicular area. The immunohistomorphologic features are compatible with a reactive process.

The etiology and pathogenesis of TUGSE have not been completely established but is postulated to be associated the with trauma, although obvious trauma could only be demonstrated in 50% of the cases.1,4 Traumatic disruption of the mucosa facilitates a cell-mediated immune response due to the action of a non-identified etiologic factor such as microorganisms, toxins and/or foreign proteins; this induces an eosinophilic and mast cell reaction, including a release of cytotoxic T-cells ultimately leading to local tissue destruction.1,5 It has also been suggested that it may be a CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorder.1,4-6 A CD30 positivity can be seen in lymphomas, lymphoproliferative diseases, Reed-Sternberg (RS) cells, and activated T and B cells, but also occur in benign cutaneous disorders such as drug reaction, atopic dermatitis and molluscum contagiosum; however, involvement of the oral mucosa with lymphoproliferative diseases is rare.1,4,5

The pathogenesis and etiology of the entity remains unclear, and can mimic malignant conditions due to its clinical, histological, and immunohistochemical features thus the diagnosis of TUGSE should be made by the combination of clinical data, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical features.1 The condition has a benign course and is characteristically self-healing.1,2

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 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 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=0.0004). The decrease in blood sugar level on the eight week in the mustard green group was significant compared with the baseline level (p=0.008).

Conclusion This study had demonstrated that the intake of Brassica juncea decoction can significantly decrease blood sugar level among type 2 diabetics compared to metformin alone. 

BACKGROUND: In 2017, there were sixty people who identified themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender/ transsexual (LGBT) people in Sememi Public Health Center, and seven of them were known to be people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). People who are at high risk for HIV infection, especially the LGBT people and Female Sex Workers, are at even greater risk of developing a number of severe periodontal diseases. Periodontal problems, such as periodontitis, in HIV patients, are more severe and occur more frequently than uninfected patients. However, data on dental visit in Sememi Public Health Center as the primary health center in Sememi district is still limited, and there is still no data regarding periodontal health status among HIV patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between HIV/AIDS and periodontal health status among the population who are at high risk of HIV/AIDS in Sememi Public Health Center area.

METHOD: This study was conducted with a cross-sectional design. The sample size was determined using a total sampling technique and came up with 30 participants.

CONCLUSION: Population with a high risk of HIV/AIDS in Sememi Health Center area in Surabaya City has poor periodontal status, due to a large number of bleeding on probing (BOP), periodontal pocket depth, and loss of attachment (LOA). There is no significant difference between BOP results and pocket depth between the HIV and non-HIV groups. But a significant difference was found between LOA in the HIV and non-HIV groups. On the contrary, we found that there is no significant relationship between HIV/AIDS and xerostomia in this study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Acoustic analysis is an objective instrumental method that makes more accurate and reliable assessments of vocal characteristics possible. The aim of the current study was to describe the vocal characteristics of Filipinos with perceptually normal voices in terms of (1) fundamental frequency, (2) intensity, (3) frequency and intensity perturbations, (4) speaking fundamental frequency range, and (5) nasalance.

METHODOLOGY: A total of 142 healthy adults aged 18 - 53 years participated in this study. The group was composed of 73 men (26.9 ± 6.4 years old) and 69 women (26.1 ± 6.5 years old). Voice samples were collected using Computerized Speech Laboratory™ (CSL; Model 4300B) during sustained phonation of vowel /a/ and spontaneous speech. Nasometer™ (Model 6200-3) was used to assess nasality while participants read plosive- and sibilant-loaded sentences.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The average acoustic values for males were F0 = 125.8 ± 23.4 Hz, SF0 = 122.6 ± 15.6 Hz, SF0 range = 85.8-269 Hz, SPL (speech) = 58.6 ± 5.3 dB, SPL (vowel) = 66.6 ± 6.2 dB, jitter = 0.92 ± 0.48%, shimmer = 2.21 ± 0.73%, nasalance = 12.5-17.1%; for females, F0 = 196.3 ± 23.0 Hz, SF0 = 194.8 ± 19.0 Hz, SF0 range = 97.1- 309.6Hz, SPL (speech) = 57.6 ± 4.3 dB, SPL (vowel) = 65.3 ± 4.5 dB, jitter = 1.12 ± 0.34%, shimmer = 2.7 ± 0.64%, nasalance = 13.1-19.1%. Significant differences were found between male and female subjects for F0, SF0, perturbation measures, and SPL during sustained phonation (p< 0.05). Acoustic data obtained also appear to be consistent with the results of local and international studies. While these can be used as tentative normative data for Filipinos, it is recommended that future studies be completed with more systematic analysis procedures and stringent participant selection to ensure balance for age, sex, and vocal history among subgroups.

BACKGROUND: Increasing incidence of natural and man-made disasters emphasize the need to assess home disaster preparedness of pediatricians.

OBJECTIVES: To determine degree of family disaster preparedness and association of demographic characteristics of active consultants of a tertiary hospital for children in Quezon City.

METHODS: Cross-sectional study where participants were selected using purposive type of sampling. Fifty-eight active consultants for children answered a self-administered questionnaire on home disaster preparedness. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 24.0.

RESULTS: Total of 36 (62.06%) participants scored 70 and above, indicating family disaster preparedness. A total of 22 (37.94%) participants scored below 70, indicating lack of home disaster preparedness. The age of participants 35 to 40 (OR 108.57), 41 to 45 (OR 36.01), 51 to 55 (OR 11.4) and 56 to 60 (OR 17.93) are more likely to be family disaster ready (p value <0.05). Male participants were 7 times more likely to have higher overall family disaster preparedness.

CONCLUSIONS: This study has shown that 36 consultants in a tertiary hospital for children in Quezon City are prepared for home disasters. Males and younger population are the demographic characteristics associated with an increased degree of family disaster preparedness.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Basics of home disaster management should be included in continuing medical education of the hospital staff. Health education management system should encourage participation of hospital staff in disaster management programs. Bigger sample size of the pediatric society is recommended. Determine association of other demographic variables on home disaster preparedness. Address issues to overcome response bias.

BACKGROUND: Falls in the hospital are preventable. Prevention of fall requires cooperation from the health care provider, caregivers, as well as the hospital administration. This study was done to utilize standard reminders for fall to increase the awareness of health care providers of a tertiary hospital for children.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness of the Patient Fall Prevention Reminder Checklist in increasing the awareness of health care providers of patients admitted at the Philippine Children's Medical Center.

METHODOLOGY: After obtaining permission to use an established Patient Fall Prevention Reminder checklist from the Intermountain Health Care (USA), participants were recruited after giving their informed consent. A pre-test was conducted to gauge the awareness and practices of the participants in preventing falls in the hospital. After the pre-test, the tool was introduced and discussed by the author to the participants. After 7 days, the participantswere followed up to take the post-test. Data collected were encoded then analyzed throughdescriptive statistics.

RESULTS: There were one hundred twenty-one (121) respondents with 42 males and 79 females. There is an increase in awareness in fall prevention amongthe residents and nurses, based on their pre and post-test examination results. The midwives had previous awareness in preventing falls even prior to the study.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The checklist served as an effective tool in increasing the awareness of most study participants. We recommend the establishment of an institutionalized Fall Prevention Reminder Checklist at the Philippine Children's Medical Center for use by health care personnel.