Background: Mental Health Literacy (MHL) is considered a vital determinant of mental health and has the ability to benefit both individual and public mental health. To thoroughly measure the different aspects of mental health literacy and determine level of knowledge in the community, a MHLS-Filipino version is required. Objective: This study aimed to validate the Mental Health Literacy Scale – Filipino (MHLS-F) version among Community Health Workers in a rural and an urban health center in CaLaBaRZon. Study Design: This is a methodological study that was conducted among rural and urban health workers Patients and Methods: The guidelines provided by Beaton was used as template for the process of translation and crosscultural adaptation. The first phase involved Translation and Cross- cultural Adaptation of the Mental Health Literacy Scale from English to Filipino Version (MHLS-F). The instrument was simultaneously forward translated from English to Filipino by two independent translators from the Sentro ng Wikang Filipino. Back translations into English were done by two independent translators. The expert review committee discussed discrepancies found between the original items and the back-translated version of the questionnaire through a small group discussion and evaluated the content validity. Judgement on each item was made based on the computed i- CVI. The pre-final translated questionnaire was pre-tested on 5 rural and 5 urban community health workers with similar characteristics to the study population. Suggestions or alternative wording were documented and forwarded to Sentro ng Wikang Filipino for editing and proofreading. After synthesis of all reviews, the Mental Health Literacy Scale – Filipino Version was finalized. The final version was administered to 220 Community Health Workers from the Santa Rosa CHO and San Juan MHO. Psychometric properties on internal reliability using Cronbach’s Alpha was used as complementary procedure for determining the final structure of the instrument. Results: All six domains of MHLS were translated into Filipino without any major problems. The Final Mental Health Literacy Scale- Filipino Version has 26 items under 3 subscales. It has an acceptable content validity and satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha 0.730). Conclusion MHLS was successfully cross-culturally adapted into Filipino. The MHLS-F has good validity and reliability in assessing knowledge and attitude in mental health among community healthcare workers
Community Health Workers

BACKGROUND

The Universal Health Care (UHC) Act in the Philippines, specifically Republic Act 11223, has prompted significant healthcare reforms, particularly in the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, focusing on improving health finance methods and emphasizing the importance of robust primary care. In response, the Philippine Academy of Family Physicians (PAFP) Batangas Chapter initiated a developmental program to prepare its members for these reforms.

OBJECTIVE

This research aimed to understand the family, community, and cultural orientation of family practice clinics among PAFP Batangas Chapter members. It analyzed socio-demographic profiles, including age, sex, membership status, practice length, employment status, and place of practice. The study also analyzed the overall family, community, and cultural orientation across study participants based on professional status and place of practice.

METHOD

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 117 active members of the PAFP Batangas Chapter, involving 74 voluntarily participating members. They completed a pilot-tested questionnaire about family practice clinics’ family, community, and cultural orientations. The responses were encrypted and tabulated using MS Excel, and the results were presented using frequencies and percentages. The study aimed to understand family, community, and cultural orientations across participants based on membership status and area of practice.

RESULTS

The results highlighted a strong family-centered orientation, with 94.6% advocating for involving family members in treatment planning. Community engagement was also prominent, as 86.3% participated in outreach programs. Cultural orientation was favorable, with 78.4% using the local language effectively. Moreover, 93.3% demonstrated effective communication, and most were receptive to patients’ or families’ unique healthcare preferences.

CONCLUSION

The PAFP Batangas Chapter, committed to family-centered care, needs to improve communication, collaboration, and patient group structure. The study suggests considering local contexts, cultural norms, and healthcare infrastructure for positive cultural competence. Regular assessments, like the Primary Care Assessment Tool, can provide feedback on intervention effectiveness and support continuous improvement efforts. This study provides valuable insights for optimizing primary care in alignment with UHC Act reforms, highlighting the chapter’s strengths and areas for enhancement.

Human ; Universal Health Care ; Primary Health Care ; Philippines