Background: To address the need to improve the collation of vital statistical data from POGS-accredited institutions, the POGS Committee on Nationwide Statistics developed a new electronic census platform (now called the POGS Nationwide Statistics System or PNSS), that replaced the Integrated Statistical Information System (ISIS) which was started in 2008. Objectives: The aims of this paper are the following: (1) to present initial data gathered through the PNSS and compare it to the Department of Health (DOH) census; (2) to discuss obstetrical and gynecological indicators of healthcare and (3) to assess the limitations of the PNSS and recommend improvements. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study that shall report obstetrical and gynecologic data generated from submissions of POGS-accredited hospitals from January to December 2019, through the PNSS. Charts and tables illustrating frequencies of the different health indices are presented. Health indices include crude livebirth rate, age-specific birth rate, adolescent birth rate, cesarean section rate, stillbirth rate, neonatal mortality rate, perinatal mortality rate, maternal mortality ratio, frequency of gynecologic admissions and procedures, and death secondary to gynecologic diseases. Results: The number of accredited hospitals that submitted their census with 100% compliance was 135, thus 91.8% of accredited hospitals had full compliance. A total of 365,947 cases were reported, 89% (326,026) of cases were obstetric cases and the remaining 11% (39,921) were gynecologic cases. For obstetrical health indicators: the livebirth rate is highest in the NCR 36%, with the highest age-specific birth rates in the 20-29 age groups; adolescent birth rate is 7.3%, overall CS rate is 32.8%, stillbirth rate is 14.3 per 1000 neonates, neonatal mortality rate is 3.65 per 1000 livebirths, perinatal mortality rate is 18.35 per 1000 total births and maternal mortality ratio is 81.72 per 100,000 livebirths. The most frequent indications for gynecologic admissions are leiomyoma uteri, Abnormal Uterine Bleeding-Polyp (AUB-P) and Abnormal Uterine Bleeding-Myoma (AUB-M), while endometrial biopsy/diagnostic curettage is the most frequent gynecologic procedure performed; There were 150 deaths (0.38%) reported among gynecologic cases and majority (96%) had gynecologic malignancies, with ovarian cancer being the highest (41%). Conclusion Nationwide statistics serve as strong evidence on which policies are created. It provides vital information that serves as a basis for decision-making, planning and implementation of health programs and basic services and can also be used for monitoring and evaluation. It is recommended that preparations be undertaken for an improved 2021 version with enhancing the mechanism of encoding and transmitting data, improving data quality and developing more health indicators. Regular coordination with the accredited hospitals is encouraged for a more accurate data outcome and compliance performance. Collaboration in identifying areas for research should be fostered.

Background: Menopause is a normal and natural event. It is defined as the final menstrual period and is usually confirmed when a woman has missed her periods for 12 consecutive months. Dealing with issues regarding menopause is just as important in the care of patients afflicted with cancer as it is to the general population undergoing this singular experience. By knowing the patients’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding menopause and its treatment, both patients and health care providers will be given a better perspective and useful insights on the matter which, hopefully, will translate to an improved and more holistic patient care. Objective: To determine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding menopause of gynecologic oncology patients treated at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH). Methods: This was a prospective study which employed a KAP survey on menopause using a structured questionnaire designed by the author. The questionnaire was patterned after the Menopause Health Questionnaire of the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) and the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS). Descriptive statistics were employed in the analysis of data using frequency and percentages. Results: There was a total of 100 respondents of the KAP survey conducted at the PGH Cancer Institute Section of Gynecologic Oncology Outpatient Clinic. Majority of the respondents were aware of the more common symptoms of menopause such as irritability (61%) and hot flushes (49%) but had limited knowledge regarding the other symptoms. Majority are not aware of the different treatment modalities available to address menopausal symptoms. Only 13% of the respondents knew about hormonal replacement therapy as a treatment option for menopause. Only a small proportion of the respondents were familiar with the different forms of complementary and alternative medicine. Most of the respondents viewed menopause as a natural event in a woman’s life and needs no treatment. Conclusion Majority of the gynecologic oncology patients included in the survey do not know about the symptoms of menopause and the treatment options available to address these symptoms. An overwhelming majority of the women included in this survey consider menopause as a normal part of a woman’s life and view menopause in a positive light. Most of the respondents also do not feel that it is a condition that warrants treatment. Although they also experienced some of the symptoms of menopause, majority of the respondents did not avail of any treatment.
Knowledge ; Attitude ; Menopause

Background: The POGS committee on nationwide statistics uses an electronic census platform called the POGS nationwide statistics system (PNSS) to collect the statistical data on obstetric and gynecologic health indicators. Objectives: The article aims to present 2020 data gathered and compare these with the 2019 census. Obstetrical and gynecological indicators of health care and preliminary data on COVID-19 cases are reported. Methodology: This cross-sectional study reports the data generated from the submissions of POGS-accredited hospitals from January to December 2020, through the PNSS. Results: The number of accredited hospitals that submitted their census with 100% compliance is 94%. There was a total of 329,972 number of cases reported, 92% were obstetric cases. Live birth rate was the highest in the National Capital Region at 33.5%, with the highest age-specific birth rate in the 25–29 age group. Most live births were term pregnancies. Adolescent birth rate was 6.45 per 1000 women. Cesarean section rate, stillbirth rate, neonatal mortality rate, and perinatal mortality rate were higher than 2019. The maternal mortality ratio was 121.6 per 100,000 live births. There were 2,858 cases of confirmed COVID-19 infection. There were 26,164 gynecologic admissions, with the most common diagnosis being abnormal uterine bleeding. The most common gynecologic procedures performed were hysterectomy, salpingo-oophorectomy, medical management, and blood transfusion. Majority of the deaths from gynecologic cases had gynecologic malignancies and among these, cervical cancer (19%) had the greatest number of deaths. Conclusion Obstetric and gynecologic admissions are lower compared to last year. A deterioration in obstetrical indications can be seen and explanations for this occurrence must be explored further. Preliminary data on COVID-19 cases was likewise presented. Timely and accurate statistics will help us define the areas we need to improve on, as well as the unmet needs of our patients.
Censuses