BACKGROUND: Worldwide, people who were exposed to the virus reported heightened health anxiety compared to the individuals with the absence of exposure related to the COVID-19 during the pandemic. Young adults reported higher levels of health anxiety when compared to other groups. To a certain extent, health anxiety serves a protective role until it becomes perseverate and dysfunctional. The researchers aim to describe the level of anxiety of college students by utilizing the COVID-19 Anxiety Syndrome Scale to form a foundation for programs and policies that would address dysfunctional health anxiety METHODS: The researchers used a quantitative, non-experimental, descriptive online survey research design to describe the level of COVID-19 health anxiety among college students in a private higher educational institution in Central Luzon, Philippines. RESULTS: A total of 378 college students completed the survey. Analysis revealed that participants checked for symptoms of COVID-19 and were worried about possibly contracting COVID-19 for more than 7 days within two weeks (M=3.9; SD=1.5). It also revealed that the participants avoided situations that put them at risk for COVID-19 at a similar frequency (M=4.1; SD=0.4). CONCLUSION The study reveals the sampled college students manifested COVID-19 anxiety for more than 7 days in a 2-week timeframe. This means that the students spend a significant amount of their time, in a two-week timeframe, worrying, checking, and avoiding situations that may put them at risk for COVID-19. These anxiety-induced behaviors may hinder the accomplishment of their activities of daily living or productive pursuits.

BACKGROUND: A student enrolled in Allied Health Sciences has a curriculum and academic standards that are different compared to a student enrolled in a medical programme. Nevertheless, little is known about the psychological distress of this population. Our objective was to determine whether psychological distress is prevalent in students enrolled in an Allied Health Sciences programme, as well as factors that contribute to it. METHODS: Three hundred and thirty-three (333) undergraduates studying Allied Health Sciences, ages 18-30, were included in this cross-sectional study. A representative sample of students from nursing, physiotherapy, medical laboratory science, medical radiography, and optometry programmes were selected through a stratified sampling technique. A 21-item Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21  10) was used to collect data on psychological distress indicated by depression, anxiety, and stress. We fitted a multivariate logistic regression to identify factors associated with psychological distress among the participants. RESULTS: As a result of the study, 58.9% reported depression, 66.1% reported anxiety, and 45.1% reported stress. Depression (AOR= 3.23; 95% CI: 1.33- 7.81), anxiety (AOR= 3.33;95% CI:1.34- 8.26) and stress (AOR= 2.58;95% CI: 1.14- 5.85) were associated with family history of mental illness. Poor academic performance was associated with anxiety (OR=2.75; 95% CI: 1.35- 5.61) and stress (OR=2.00; 95% CI: 1.05-3.81). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of psychological distress among allied health sciences students is high, especially among students with poor academic performance and those with a family history of mental illness. Psychological distress can be prevented with early detection and awareness programmes.
Depression ; Anxiety

BACKGROUND: Research has indicated that early postoperative step counts are below the recommended levels for health-enhancing physical activity after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of preoperative individual characteristics, pain, physical function, and psychological factors on early postoperative physical activity, as measured by step counts, in 137 patients scheduled for TKA. METHODS: Patients were preoperatively assessed for individual characteristics (age, sex, body mass index, employment status, smoking and drinking habits, long-term care insurance), pain, range of motion, muscle strength, timed 10-m walk test performance, pain catastrophizing scale (PCS) scores (rumination, helplessness, and magnification), and pain self-efficacy. The daily step count was analyzed 4 weeks postoperatively. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to analyze the relationships between postoperative step counts and individual characteristics, pain, physical function, and psychological factors. RESULTS: Step counts were significantly influenced by preoperative PCS magnification scores (β= -0.31, p= 0.01) and the category of long-term care insurance (β= -0.24, p= 0.02). CONCLUSIONS Preoperative evaluation of the long-term care insurance category and PCS magnification score may aid in predicting early postoperative step counts in patients receiving TKA, which may, in turn, improve clinical management during the early stages of treatment.

BACKGROUND: Research is the act of inquiry to know and is one of the pivotal points and fundamental goals of a university. It is an important part of an academic job and is believed to be the next most valued part of their duty after teaching OBJECTIVES: This study aims to determine the research productivity of Nigerian academics in medicine and allied health sciences disciplines in Nigeria. METHODOLOGY: 177 participants completed a 41- items questionnaire that elicits information on sociodemographic, the institution, the program, and research productivity (research papers, conferences attendance and presentation, and book chapters) using a multistage cluster random sampling of Nigerian Universities. RESULTS: Majority of the included participants were male (70.06%), married (79.14%), and below the senior teaching cadre (38.99%). Majority of the academicians do not have any training overseas (67.06%) and have indicated time as a constraint to research productivity (67.06%). Three papers in the past two years is an indication that Nigerian academics in the medical and allied health sciences, on average, may not be deemed to be highly productive. Professors (16.58+27.14) and those in higher ranks (Readers: 11.84+11.22 and senior lectures 12.58+13.53) have published more papers than their counterparts in the junior cadre (lecturer I and II: 4.87+6.58 and 2.69+3.87). Academics in the present study has a median research grant of zero in the past two years. A simple majority of the participants (55.29%) agree on mandating of PhD for promotion and career advancement of academics. There is no difference in the number of papers published (6.04+10.52 and 7.62+13.21) or conferences attended (7.42+19.14 and 4.04 +4.02) between academics in private and public Universities CONCLUSION Apparently low and dismal productivity by these academics in medicine and allied health sciences affirm the need for capacity building on an ongoing basis.

BACKGROUND: The global pandemic greatly affected the educational system. Schools and universities were necessitated to adapt from a traditional classroom set-up to an online virtual mode of learning. The University of Santo Tomas – College of Rehabilitation Sciences adapted Blackboard as its primary learning management system, bringing new perceptions and opinions among its primary users- the faculty and students. OBJECTIVE: The study’s objective is to determine the perception of students and faculty from the CRS on using Blackboard as a medium for enhanced virtual learning during the pandemic. METHODOLOGY: Researchers will utilize phenomenological qualitative research for this study as it seeks to study the living experiences of students and faculty members during the pandemic concerning online classes compared to face-to-face courses. Purposive sampling via maximum variation will be used to recruit 3rd year and 4th-year students and faculty members who experienced both face-to-face and online classes. The researchers will employ guide questions during the focus group discussions (FGD) conducted via Zoom. Transcripts will be analyzed using thematic analysis through Nvivo following Hancock’s guidelines. The researchers will use the CORE-Q checklist to appraise the paper and affirm its validity. EXPECTED RESULTS The findings will include the varied perceptions of students and faculty about using Blackboard for online learning during the pandemic. Results are expected to help the education stakeholders better understand the perceptions of faculty and students to evaluate the use of the learning management system, amend necessary changes, and create relevant policies for the betterment of online learning delivery. Transcripts are expected to result in themes and subthemes that will help researchers identify the features of Blackboard that aid in the delivery of faculty lessons and students’ learning process.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to innumerable challenges in the practice of physical therapy (PT) in both local and global settings. Healthcare settings often use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to prevent contamination. Despite its benefits, compliance is challenged by issues such as discomfort, availability, accessibility, and individual perception. OBJECTIVES: Considering the contrasting roles and nature of healthcare practitioners' work and the differences in the demands of PPE usage, this study aims to develop a profession-specific questionnaire on the perceptions of physical therapists on PPE usage in response to the COVID-19 pandemic with good face and content validity. METHODS: The study comprises Phase 1 for questionnaire development and Phase 2 for questionnaire validation. Five experts recruited using purposive sampling participated in three rounds of the validation process. Each expert evaluated the face and content validity through Google Forms. Consequently, an expert panel evaluation to reach a consensus on the final items. Google sheets were utilized for analysis. EXPECTED RESULTS The final questionnaire will have 35 items covering the Health Belief Theory domains. All items will receive FVI (overall agreement scores), I-CVI, S-CVI/Ave, and S-CVI/UA scores that meet the cut-off. The final questionnaire will be useful in evaluating physical therapists' perceptions of using PPE due to COVID-19 and may also be helpful to organizations, policymakers, and other entities in their decision-making for PPE protocols, guidelines, and implementation. Future researchers can use this study to conduct a pilot study that assesses other psychometric properties of the tool.

BACKGROUND: Filipino speech-language pathologists (SLPs) can reach more persons with disabilities across 7,107 Philippine islands through telerehabilitation (also known as teletherapy, telepractice). This study described the feasibility of telerehabilitation for speech-language pathology in community-based rehabilitation in terms of appropriate information and communication technologies (ICT), stakeholder perspectives, and facilitators and barriers. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive design was employed. Participants were purposely selected as telerehabilitation stakeholders. One metropolitan-based SLP conducted remote and synchronous therapy sessions to two persons with voice disorders (52 and 65 years old) in their homes, assisted by one primary caregiver each and one community-based rehabilitation worker (CBRW). ICT observations were logged as field notes. Stakeholder perspectives were obtained through participant journals and interviews, thematically analyzed using NVIVO, and validated by participants. Facilitators and barriers were derived from data triangulation of field notes, journals, and interviews. RESULTS: The best ICT comprised of fastest wireless internet available (7.2 Mbps), MacBook™ laptop, and FaceTime™ videoconferencing application. Stakeholders had varied yet positive perspectives. The SLP focused on ICT requirements and intervention conduct. The families saw telerehabilitation benefits of cost-effectiveness and intervention effectiveness. Both SLP and the families were satisfied as telerehabilitation providers and consumers. CBRW appreciated intervention effectivity. The only barrier to telerehabilitation was low internet bandwidth. Facilitators to telerehabilitation were stronger CBR policies and SLP capacity development. CONCLUSION Telerehabilitation is feasible in speech-language pathology within communitybased rehabilitation in the Philippines, given community-appropriate ICT and positive experiences of stakeholders. It can flourish with faster internet, stronger community health policies, and empowering stakeholders.
Telerehabilitation