Objectives: The objectives of this study were to present maternal and perinatal health indicators for the years 2019–2022. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional review that analyzed data on maternal and perinatal health indicators, generated from submissions of POGS-accredited hospitals (training and service) from January 2019 to December 2022. The data were compared to the national data obtained from official public documents published by the Philippine Statistics Authority in 2022 and 2023. Results: The number of member hospitals has steadily increased over the years, and compliance rates have been consistently over 85%. The total number of registered cases and live births declined in 2020 and 2021, but has increased to prepandemic levels in 2022. The primary cesarean section (CS) rates remained above 20%, with the highest rate noted in 2021 (25.5%). The top three-most common indications for primary CS were dysfunctional labor, fetal distress, and malpresentation. Stillbirth, perinatal, and maternal mortality rates showed an increase from 2019 to 2022, with peak rates registered for the year 2021. The top five causes of maternal death are: medical complications, hemorrhage, hypertension, infection, and others (unspecified). The case fatality rate among pregnant patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection was 1.18%. Conclusion From 2019 to 2021, there was a decline in the number of registered cases and live births, and an increase in the primary CS rates, maternal mortality ratio, perinatal death rates, and stillbirth rates. This may be explained by the prevailing social, health, and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic during these years.
Censuses ; COVID‑19

Background and Objective: The University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) subcommittee on students in distress was convened during the COVID-19 pandemic to develop “plans, programs and mechanisms” to deal with students experiencing distress and mental health concerns. This study was conducted as one of the activities of the Subcommittee to inform policy to address the following research objective: to describe the experiences, perceptions, and knowledge of both students and faculty members of UP Manila regarding distress. Methods: An online survey tool was created using the results from seven online focus group discussions among 20 faculty of UP Manila. The survey was conducted for one month among faculty and students sampled from the seven colleges of UP Manila and the three extension campuses of the Schools of Health Sciences. The different categories which were consistently perceived as important by both faculty and students as well as those with disparity in the perceptions between faculty and students were described and discussed. Results: A total of 136 faculty (F) and 290 students (S) participated in the study, representing 39% vs 98% (F vs S) of the target sample, respectively. Results showed that among the effects of stressors for students, avoidance of schoolwork (F79 vs S70.3%) and sleep disturbance (F79.4 vs S72.4%), were perceived by both faculty and students as the most frequently perceived response of students to stress.Among the causes of stress, unclear boundaries between school and home (F73.5 vs S63.1%), family duties (F76.5 vs S50.7%), lack of socialization (F89 vs S57.6%), limited recreational activity (F76.5 vs S64.8%), adapting to new ways of socialization (F67.6 vs S53.8%), and internet signal (F99.3 vs S88.3%) were perceived by both faculty and students as the most frequently perceived causes of stress. Among the coping mechanisms, connecting with friends online (F86.8 vs S69.7%), listening to music (F72.8 vs S78.3%), browsing social media (F82.4 vs S81%), viewing movies (F84.6 vs S74.5%), and sleeping or resting (F67.6 vs S84.1%) were perceived by both faculty and students as the most employed by students to cope with stress.Results also show that there were marked disparities in the perceptions of faculty and students. Among the effects of stressors, the largest disparities were in non-performance in academics (F86 vs S51.7%) and academic failure (F76.5 vs S53.8%). Of the causative factors, the largest disparities were in the areas of death (F94.1 vs S14.5%) or sickness in the family (F66.9 vs S0%), family issues (F82.4 vs S24.5%), financial concerns (F89 vs S36.9%), absence of physical connectedness and interaction, (F94.9 vs S23.8%) lack of socialization (F89 vs S57.6%), owning a gadget (F73.5 vs S22.1%), and lack of funds for the internet (F79.4 vs S22.4%).Among the support systems available in the university (psychosocial, academic and wellness activities of the colleges), 70% of the faculty perceived that the students were aware of the support process offered by the university. In contrast, 28% of students were aware of the support services offered to them. Conclusion This study shows that UP Manila faculty and students perceived stress due to the effects of COVID-19 on teaching, learning, and everyday living. Distress among student respondents was commonly perceived to be caused by family concerns, environmental restrictions, connectivity issues, and experiencing a sense of lack. While support services and mental health programs have been in place within the university, only 28% of students perceive that students in distress were aware of the process in receiving support.
Adaptation, Psychological ; Mental Health ; COVID-19 ; Education

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

Objective: To evaluate the factors affecting the use of the POGS PNSS across institutions. Basic Procedure: A cross-sectional study was done by the POGS Committee on Nationwide Statistics from November 2017 to April 2018. Eight representative institutions were chosen from POGS accredited institutions for service and training from the NCR, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, based on the classifications of I. Complete Data, II. Incomplete Data, III. Wrong Format, and IV. No Data. Hospitals with the most number of admissions under each category were chosen. Interviews with chairpersons of the departments, Focus Group Discussions (FGD) with the OB-GYN residents, and actual direct observations of how data were encoded in the PNSS were done. Results: All the chairpersons and Ob-Gyn residents of the selected institutions were aware of the importance of the PNSS especially in generating vital nationwide statistics like Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Rates. They had several pertinent suggestions on how improvement of the PNSS, like harmonization of classification of diseases with PHIC and ICD codes, and to include other co-morbidities in the system. Conclusion The factors affecting the use of POGS-PNSS in 2016 include: good attitude and compliance among POGSaccredited institutions, but there is a need to address multiple diagnosis including medical co-morbidities. Final diagnosis also needs to be PHIC-compliant, and there is a need to address the Data Privacy Act with the use of eMR (electronic medical records).
International Classification of Diseases ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Morbidity

OBJECTIVE: To review the POGS statistics on Maternal Mortality Rate and causes of direct and indirect maternal deaths from 2012 to 2014.
BASIC PROCEDURE: Data were retrieved friom the Integrated Statistical Information System, or ISIS, of POGS, and compliance in its use was assessed. Twenty four hospitals were chosen based on completeness of data and highest number of admissions.
RESULTS: Maternal Mortality Rate for the three-year period was 296 per 100,000 livebirths. The top causes of direct maternal deaths were hypertension, hemorrhage and infection. The top three causes of indirect maternal deaths were hypertension, hemorrhage and infection. The top three causes of indirect maternal deaths were cardiac, pulmonary and vascular.
CONCLUSION: Maternal Mortality Rate from 2012 to 2014 was reviewed. The low compliance submitting complete forms from POGS-accredited hospitals made the Committee on Nationwide Statistics strongly recommend an enhancement of the use of the electronic data-based system.

Human ; Female ; Maternal Death ; Maternal Mortality ; Hemorrhage ; Hospitals ; Hypertension ; Heart