BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Ensuring the total well-being of healthcare workers (HCWs), including their mental health and psychological well-being, is an essential aspect in the delivery of patient care and the preservation of the health workforce. This study aimed to determine the level of mental well-being and emotional state of HCWs in terms of depression, anxiety, and stress using the DASS-21 scale in a tertiary government hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines and to identify the job-related factors that may be associated with these outcomes.

This is an analytical, cross-sectional study among HCWs involved in direct patient care in a tertiary government hospital in the Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data collection was conducted from February to March 2022 through an online self-administered questionnaire, which included the Demand-Control-Support Questionnaire (DCSQ), and the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). This was sent to doctors, nurses, and allied medical workers actively working in the clinical areas. All responses were collected and analyzed.

Three hundred sixty-four healthcare workers were included in the study. Majority were single (62.62%), living with immediate family (50.82%), and working in a COVID-designated area (62.09%). High prevalence of depression (49.18%), anxiety (61.54%), and stress (30.22%) was found among the HCWs. Work in high infection/COVID-designated areas was significantly associated with anxiety and stress, and high-job demand was significantly associated with all three mental health states compared to low job-demand.

Focus should be placed on modifying the condition of high job demand among healthcare workers working in hospitals. This includes ensuring optimum staffing levels and patient to HCW ratio which avoids HCWs from being subjected to high workloads and time pressures that subsequently increase risk for stress, anxiety, and depression.

OBJECTIVES

While many healthcare workers (HCWs) contracted COVID-19 during the pandemic, more information is needed to fully understand the potential for adverse health effects in this population segment. The aim of the present study is to examine the association between healthcare worker status and neurologic and clinical outcomes in COVID-19 infected inpatients.

Using the nationwide database provided by the retrospective cohort Philippine CORONA study, we extracted relevant data and performed a secondary analysis primarily focusing on the presentation and outcomes of healthcare workers. Propensity score matching in a 3:1 ratio was performed to match HCWs and non-HCWs. We performed multiple logistic and Cox regression analyses to determine the relationship between HCWs and COVID-19 clinical outcomes.

We included 3,362 patients infected with COVID-19; of which, 854 were HCWs. Among the HCWs, a total of 31 (3.63%) and 45 (5.27%) had the primary outcomes of in-hospital mortality and respiratory failure, respectively. For both overall and 3:1 propensity-matched cohorts, being an HCW significantly decreased the odds of the following outcomes: severe/critical COVID-19 at nadir; in-hospital mortality; respiratory failure; intensive care unit admission; and hospital stay >14 days.

We found that being an HCW is not associated with worse neurologic and clinical outcomes among patients hospitalized for COVID-19.

Contraceptive Agents ; Health Personnel ; Primary Health Care ; Philippines

INTRODUCTION

This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between work stress and dysglycemia among healthcare workers engaged in shift work at a level 1 government hospital in Antipolo City, Philippines.

Work stress was assessed using the Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI) Questionnaire, and dysglycemia was measured through a 75g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).

A total of 126 healthcare workers aged 20–55 years participated Results showed that 65.1% of participants experienced work stress, with nurses reporting the highest prevalence (43.9%). Dysglycemia was present in 33.3% of participants, predominantly in the form of impaired glucose tolerance. Despite the high prevalence of both work stress and obesity (61.9%), no statistically significant associations were found between work stress and dysglycemia (p = .51), gender and work stress (p = .59), occupation and work stress (p = .059), or obesity and dysglycemia (p = .70).

The findings suggest that while work stress is common among healthcare workers, especially nurses, it may not directly predict dysglycemia in relatively young and active populations. However, the long-term metabolic risks associated with chronic occupational stress should not be overlooked. Future longitudinal studies with larger samples are recommended to better assess causality and guide workplace wellness programs.

BACKGROUND

This study explored the indigenous knowledge practiced by the traditional Panday in the care of pregnant Meranaw mothers during intrapartum care and how it is perceived by the midwives and the mothers. In analyzing their perspectives, qualitative method of research known as descriptive exploratory research design was utilized. The study gathered insights from 51 individuals.

Data collection methods included interview and observations through thematic content analysis. Four themes emerged: traditional Panday, practices in intrapartum care, midwives' perceptions of traditional Panday, reasons for home births among mothers, and suggested policies and programs for traditional Panday, and mothers.

Data revealed that most traditional Panday, exhibit satisfactory intrapartum care practices, which closely resemble those used in hospitals, indicating their capability to conduct safe home births. Some traditional Panday, demonstrate remarkable skills, such as identifying fetal position and even turning breech babies into the cephalic position during critical labor stages. The integration of herbal methods and Islamic practices, such as the recitation of Azan to the baby's ear, further distinguishes their approach. Regarding midwives' perspectives, opinions varied, with some viewing traditional Panday, as dependable partners, while others perceive them as threats to maternal safety. However, most midwives advocate for finding solutions and improving access to care rather than viewing traditional Panday, as obstacles.

Mothers' preference for home births is attributed to factors such as comfort, privacy, and financial considerations. Traditional Panday, are valued for their modest fees and cultural sensitivity, as they prioritize the well-being and modesty of women in their care.

BACKGROUND

Healthcare workers’ (HCWs) willingness to report to work despite personal risk is a requisite for an effective pandemic response. At present, there are no local studies that have examined the factors affecting willingness to report to work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To determine the factors associated with willingness to report to work during COVID-19 pandemic among healthcare workers in a tertiary government hospital.

This was a cross sectional study among the nursing staff (nursing attendants, nurses), doctors (residents, fellows), medical technologists, radiologic technologists, and respiratory technicians in a tertiary government hospital, who were employed from January 2021 to January 2022. Data was collected through an online questionnaire and was analyzed using SPSS.

A total of 311 participants included in the study. The median age of the respondents was 34 (29-46) years old. More than a third of the workers were nurses (37%) followed by residents and fellows (34%), nursing attendants (19%), radiologic technologists, medical technologists, and respiratory technicians (10%). Over 4 out of 5 were assigned in a non-COVID area while 11% were assigned in the COVID area. The odds of willingness to report to work is 60% lower among males compared to females. On the other hand, the odds of willingness to report to work was 78% lower among nurses and 84% lower among residents and fellows compared to medical technologist, radiologic technologists, and respiratory therapists. The median rating of the staff on willingness to report to work was 80% (60-90), and 73% of respondents were willing to report to work during the entire COVID-19 pandemic.

Factors that were associated with willingness to report to work were female gender and occupation (radiologic technologists, medical technologists, respiratory technicians).

OBJECTIVES

While the chronically overburdened state of public school teachers in the Philippines is well-established, little is known about how they specifically provide ‘care’ and attend to their students’ health in the workplace. This article addresses that knowledge gap by illustrating the many forms of ‘health work’ undertaken by public school teachers on a daily basis, and analyzing the concrete challenges they face in doing such work. In so doing, this article provides a qualitative construction of school teachers as ‘health workers’ in the country.

This article draws from two focus group discussions conducted in Southern Luzon and Eastern Visayas between November 2018 to May 2019, as part of a multi-sited study on the health-related challenges faced by lowand middle-income Filipinos. A total of 19 teachers participated in those two discussions. We used the principles of thematic analysis to code and analyze the discussion transcripts.

Teachers regularly fulfill various tasks that can be considered health work, including measuring students’ anthropometrics; supervising and administering government programs like deworming, feeding programs, and vaccinations; providing first-aid and various forms of immediate medical attention; addressing students’ mental and psychological health concerns; and working with students’ families in ways that resemble social work. However, the study participants largely considered themselves unqualified to do health work, often sacrificed their own personal health and interpersonal relationships to take on the additional burden of health work, and felt they received insufficient institutional support.

Doing health work not only takes away from actual teaching time, but also comes at the expense of teachers’ own health. Hiring the appropriate personnel to conduct health work and improving legal safeguards are possible solutions to ameliorating the present working conditions of teachers. Yet, the larger and more long-term conversation demands the prioritiziation of teachers’ well-being and overall quality of life, and recognizing the cruciality of a healthy work-life balance for them. Future studies should involve more diverse geographic sites and teacher populations, and utilize more focused forms of analysis (e.g., comparative, policy-driven).

OBJECTIVE

To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) in Marawi City regarding Hansen’s Disease (HD).

A cross-sectional study was conducted among the Barangay Health Workers of Marawi City. This study was conducted in two phases. Phase 1 was questionnaire development where the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) questionnaire was formulated and administered to six Barangay Health Workers for pre-testing. Phase 2 of the study included the survey and focus group discussion (FGD). A questionnaire comprising of 27 questions was administered to BHWs to assess knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding HD.

A total of 49 BHWs underwent the Phase 2 survey and six BHWs joined the FGD. The mean age of all the survey participants was 34.9 ± 19.3 years. Among the 49 participants, 40 (81.6%) were females. The knowledge of BHWs was found to be adequate only in six (12%) BHWs. Positive attitude was observed in 12 (24.5%) and adequate practices regarding HD were observed in 33 (67.3%) BHWs. First-hand experience of diagnosing HD patients was significantly associated with adequate knowledge (p < 0.001) and positive attitude of BHWs (p < 0.001). There was a significant association between > 5 years of experience as BHWs (p = 0.027) and first-hand experience in diagnosing leprosy (p = 0.005) with adequate practices of BHWs regarding HD. In the FGD, BHWs expressed their lack of training which highlighted the need for refresher courses on HD.

Knowledge about HD is low among Marawi BHWs due to their inadequate training. The attitudes and practices of BHWs are also affected because of deficient knowledge regarding etiology and transmission of HD. There is a need for adequate training and refresher courses on HD to increase the knowledge of BHWs regarding HD.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to compare the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, and the coping styles among physicians and nurses in a COVID-19 referral hospital in Manila from June to July 2020.

A cross-sectional study among medical residents and nurses selected via convenience sampling was employed. Data were obtained through COVID Stressors and Stress Reduction Questionnaire, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21, and Filipino Coping Strategies Scale. Descriptive and inferential analysis of data was done.

Five hundred seventy-one (571) healthcare workers (total population: 1,650 nurses and physicians) participated in the study, representing 81.6% of the computed sample size of 700 respondents. Among the participants, 60.6 %, 69.0%, 48.9% reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. Nineteen percent (19%) of nurses reported severe to extremely severe depression, and 42.0% reported severe to extremely severe anxiety. In contrast, 30.8% of residents reported severe to extremely severe depression, and 28.4% conveyed severe to extremely severe anxiety. There was no association observed between perceived levels of stress between the two healthcare professions. There were more mildly to extremely severe anxious healthcare workers in the COVID areas (74.6%) compared to the non-COVID areas (61.2%). Differences in coping styles were observed among the participants’ clinico-demographic characteristics. Top healthcare worker stressors include being negligent and endangering co-workers (88.6%), frequent modification of infection control procedures (87.0%), and discomfort from protective equipment (81.4%). Top stress-reducing factors include provision of food and vitamins (86.7%), sufficient rest (84.2%), and support from higher-ranking colleagues (73.7%).

This study has shown that more than half of the healthcare workers reported mild to extreme levels of depression and anxiety, while a little less than half reported mild to extreme levels of stress. The development and implementation of hospital interventions and programs based on the sources of distress and stress-reducing factors is recommended to mitigate the impact of sustained psychological distress on mental health and physical wellbeing of hospital healthcare workers.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Physical activity (PA) and fitness level are considered key factors in public health promotion, and as such, healthcare workers (HCW) need to be physically well because they are not only responsible for themselves, but of their clients as well. Therefore, we aim to determine the PA and health-related fitness (HRF) level of HCW in a tertiary hospital, disaggregated to age, sex, work assignments, and job tenure.

A cross-sectional research design was utilized to assess HCW from the administrative, medical, nursing, and paramedical cohorts. ALPHA-FIT Test Battery was used to assess cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, lower extremity power and strength, upper body muscle endurance, balance, and body composition.

Our study concurred with the results of previous studies on HCW yielding lower PA levels compared with the general population. We tested 282 participants (administrative: 97; medical: 36; nursing: 55; paramedical: 94), mean age 37.4 years, 64.54% females, 52.13% perceived average health status. Ninety percent of the HCW had PA levels below the World Health Organization’s recommended levels. The ALPHA-FIT mean score per category revealed: one-legged stance, 2.67/3; figure-of-8 run, 2.45/3; shoulder-neck mobility, 4.58/5; modified push-up, 2.05/4; hand-grip strength, 2.5/5; jump and reach, 4/4; dynamic sit-up, 2.62/3; six-minute walk test, 475.38 meters covered. There were no significant differences in PA and HRF levels across cohorts except for modified sit-ups (p < 0.001) and figure-of-8 run (p = 0.012). The results showed significant inverse correlation between balance and shoulder-neck mobility and age (p < 0.001), and modified push ups (p = 0.004). Males had significantly higher sit-up scores (p < 0.001), one-legged stance scores (p = 0.001), and faster figure-of-8 run (p = 0.011), while females had better jump and reach scores (p < 0.001).

Physical activity levels of HCW did not meet the World Health Organization’s recommended PA levels. Healthcare professionals who are expected to be aware of the benefits of PA and HRF have shown low to midfit levels of grip strength, upper extremity endurance, core strength, and cardiorespiratory endurance. Information on PA and HRF may aid in policy making on employee wellness that could highly impact health service delivery.