Background: A certain percentage of the vaccinated population initially did not want to get vaccinated but changed their minds (from 30% to 70%). By October 2022, World Bank reported that the Philippines had 77.8% COVID-19 vaccination rate. Knowing the factors that changed their decision can help improve the vaccination rate. Objective: This survey aimed to identify the factors that influence positive change in vaccination decisions. Methods: This survey was conducted in the Philippines among Filipinos aged 18-80 years old between March to April 2022. The dependent variable in the study was decision change, a binary variable coded as 1 for a vaccinated person who changed their decision from no to yes and 0 for an unvaccinated person who did not change their decision from yes to no. Results: Age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.89-0.96) and having a college degree (aOR=11.707, 95% CI=3.23-42.41) are related to changing decisions. Young and college degree holders are likely to change their decisions positively about getting vaccinated. Employer requirement also influences decision change because it affects a person's livelihood. High scores on vaccine confidence (aOR = 1.181, 95% CI = 1.12-1.25) and awareness (aOR = 1.318, 95% CI = 1.08-1.61) are associated with decision change. Conclusion Being young, educated, employed with a requirement to vaccinate, and having high vaccine awareness and confidence are strongly associated with a positive change in the decision to get vaccinated.
Vaccines ; Vaccination ; Philippines ; Awareness ; Covid-19

BACKGROUND

Hypertension is a major contributor to cognitive decline, and dementia is an increasing public health concern in the Philippines. Despite evidence linking these conditions, the awareness of dementia risk remains limited. Broader modifiable factors—such as nutrition, physical activity, smoking, alcohol use and sleep—also influence dementia risk but are not consistently emphasized in health education for hypertensive adults.

OBJECTIVE

To comprehensively assess the dementia risk awareness of hypertensive Filipino adults residing in the Philippines.

METHODS

An adapted questionnaire will gather data on dementia risk awareness among hypertensive Filipino adults. Phase I involves distributing the questionnaire via Google Forms on social media and collecting informed consent, the Personal Data Sheet (PDS), Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale (DKAS) responses and self-reported modifiable risk factors from the McCance Brain Care Score (BCS). Phase II consists of quantitative analysis using descriptive statistics, including sub-analyses assessing correlations between dementia risk awareness and secondary measures.

EXPECTED RESULTS

At least 384 responses from hypertensive Filipino adults are anticipated, allowing classification into dementia risk–aware or dementia risk–unaware groups using DKAS thresholds. Exploratory analyses will describe potential associations between dementia risk awareness and selected modifiable risk factors

Human ; Male ; Female ; Adolescent: 13-18 Yrs Old ; Young Adult: 19-24 Yrs Old ; Adult: 25-44 Yrs Old ; Middle Aged: 45-64 Yrs Old ; Adult ; Awareness ; Dementia ; Learning ; Philippines ; Risk

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to understand the awareness and attitudes of elderly Southeast Asians towards telehealth services during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in this study. METHODS: In this qualitative study, 78 individuals from Singapore (51.3% female, mean age 73.0 ± 7.6 years) were interviewed via telephone between 13 May 2020 and 9 June 2020 during Singapore's first COVID-19 'circuit breaker'. Participants were asked to describe their understanding of telehealth, their experience of and willingness to utilise these services, and the barriers and facilitators underlying their decision. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis, guided by the United Theory of Acceptance Use of Technology framework. RESULTS: Of the 78 participants, 24 (30.8%) were able to describe the range of telehealth services available and 15 (19.2%) had previously utilised these services. Conversely, 14 (17.9%) participants thought that telehealth comprised solely home medication delivery and 50 (51.3%) participants did not know about telehealth. Despite the advantages offered by telehealth services, participants preferred in-person consultations due to a perceived lack of human interaction and accuracy of diagnoses, poor digital literacy and a lack of access to telehealth-capable devices. CONCLUSION Our results showed poor overall awareness of the range of telehealth services available among elderly Asian individuals, with many harbouring erroneous views regarding their use. These data suggest that public health education campaigns are needed to improve awareness of and correct negative perceptions towards telehealth services in elderly Asians.
Humans ; COVID-19/epidemiology* ; Female ; Telemedicine ; Aged ; Male ; Singapore/epidemiology* ; Qualitative Research ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Aged, 80 and over ; Middle Aged ; Pandemics ; Awareness ; Asian People ; Southeast Asian People

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to investigate citizens' awareness, availment, satisfaction, and perceived need for action with health services offered by a rural municipality in Samar, Philippines.

METHODS

This study utilized an explanatory-sequential research design, involving 150 participants selected through the Kish Grid Method via a multi-stage sampling approach within the community. The Citizen Satisfaction Index System was employed to assess the levels of awareness, utilization, and satisfaction with health services in the municipality.

RESULTS

Among the assessed health services, the cohort had low awareness and low availment on services for communicable diseases, basic dental/oral hygiene, and reproductive health. While high awareness was observed for childbirth services, there was low availment on these. The participants showed high awareness and availment for only two services namely, free general consultation and the free medicine program. While high satisfaction was seen among all services that were assessed, the participants also expressed a high perceived need for action to improve their delivery.

CONCLUSION

This study presents a comprehensive view of rural healthcare in Samar, Philippines. Despite high satisfaction rates, gaps persist in the citizen’s awareness and availment due to accessibility, costs, fear, misinformation, and cultural differences. The findings of this study can guide policymakers in identifying gaps in healthcare in rural areas.

Human ; Primary Health Care ; Health Services ; Awareness ; Personal Satisfaction

Objectives: This study sought to investigate citizens' awareness, availment, satisfaction, and perceived need for action with health services offered by a rural municipality in Samar, Philippines. Methods: This study utilized an explanatory-sequential research design, involving 150 participants selected through the Kish Grid Method via a multi-stage sampling approach within the community. The Citizen Satisfaction Index System was employed to assess the levels of awareness, utilization, and satisfaction with health services in the municipality. Results: Among the assessed health services, the cohort had low awareness and low availment on services for communicable diseases, basic dental/oral hygiene, and reproductive health. While high awareness was observed for childbirth services, there was low availment on these. The participants showed high awareness and availment for only two services namely, free general consultation and the free medicine program. While high satisfaction was seen among all services that were assessed, the participants also expressed a high perceived need for action to improve their delivery. Conclusion This study presents a comprehensive view of rural healthcare in Samar, Philippines. Despite high satisfaction rates, gaps persist in the citizen’s awareness and availment due to accessibility, costs, fear, misinformation, and cultural differences. The findings of this study can guide policymakers in identifying gaps in healthcare in rural areas.
Primary Health Care ; Health Services ; Awareness ; Personal Satisfaction

Intraoperative awareness during general anesthesia remains a significant concern. This report presents a rare case of a 40-year-old male patient, experiencing intraoperative awareness during an elective decompressive laminectomy T3–T4 for spinal cord compression secondary to an epidural abscess. Despite no comorbidities and being classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists II, the patient postoperatively reported recalling intraoperative events. Notably, intraoperative findings revealed malfunctioning of the anesthesia machine’s bellows and a vaporizer installation issue. This mishap suggests equipment failure as the potential cause of reduced anesthetic delivery. Using the Brice protocol, the patient’s claims were confirmed as he recalled specific discussions during the operation, though he reported no pain. The team acknowledged and apologized for the awareness incident, assuring patient safety. Awareness, although rare, can be distressing and might result from anesthesia underdosing, equipment failure, or anesthetic application errors. Anesthesiologists must remain vigilant, ensuring equipment functionality, considering increased anesthetic doses when safe, and promptly addressing patient claims of intraoperative awareness. Proper communication, documentation, and patient follow-up are crucial in managing these cases effectively.

Human ; Male ; Adult: 25-44 Yrs Old ; Intraoperative Awareness

Intraoperative awareness during general anesthesia remains a significant concern. This report presents a rare case of a 40-year-old male patient, experiencing intraoperative awareness during an elective decompressive laminectomy T3–T4 for spinal cord compression secondary to an epidural abscess. Despite no comorbidities and being classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists II, the patient postoperatively reported recalling intraoperative events. Notably, intraoperative findings revealed malfunctioning of the anesthesia machine’s bellows and a vaporizer installation issue. This mishap suggests equipment failure as the potential cause of reduced anesthetic delivery. Using the Brice protocol, the patient’s claims were confirmed as he recalled specific discussions during the operation, though he reported no pain. The team acknowledged and apologized for the awareness incident, assuring patient safety. Awareness, although rare, can be distressing and might result from anesthesia underdosing, equipment failure, or anesthetic application errors. Anesthesiologists must remain vigilant, ensuring equipment functionality, considering increased anesthetic doses when safe, and promptly addressing patient claims of intraoperative awareness. Proper communication, documentation, and patient follow-up are crucial in managing these cases effectively.

Human ; Male ; Adult: 25-44 Yrs Old ; Intraoperative Awareness

Objective: Awareness and substantial understanding of obesity are essential components in its prevention and treatment. This study aimed to determine the degree of obesity awareness and its relationship to various sociodemographic characteristics among Filipino adults working from home (WFH). Methodology: This is a cross-sectional survey conducted in Metro Cebu, Philippines. Included were non-healthcare WFH professionals aged 18-64. Researcher-made Obesity Awareness Questionnaire (OAC-20) was used. Results: A total of 458 employees participated in the study; mean age was 30.33 years (SD=6.96), mostly female (71.40%) and majority single (77.07%). The mean obesity awareness score was 79.18% (SD=9.02). Age (p=0.198), BMI (p=0.397), work hours/day (p=0.101), and hours of physical activity/day (p=0.458) were not associated with obesity awareness. Similarly, male vs. female (p=0.515), and single vs. married respondents (p=0.629) did not differ significantly in terms of average scores. However, higher educational attainment (p=0.044) and higher socio-economic status (p=0.002) were significantly associated with higher obesity awareness scores. Conclusion The surveyed WFH adults were aware of the majority of the important concepts on obesity. Educational attainment and socio-economic status were significant determinants of obesity awareness.
Obesity ; Awareness

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the advent of telemedicine was significantly utilized in providing continuous healthcare. Various studies showed that it is an effective way of health care delivery in any specialty cases such as in Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Medicine and Surgery. Recently, there’s an increase in utilization of the Awareness, Knowledge, Attitude & Skills (AKAS) Surveys in health care research but there’s paucity of data regarding its use in telemedicine. Objective: The main objective of this study was to assess the awareness, knowledge, attitude and skills regarding telemedicine and correlate it to the various demographics among the resident physicians. Methods: This is an analytical cross-sectional study utilizing an adopted, validated and self-administered questionnaire. A total of 37 resident physicians from different specialties were included in the study. Results: This study showed that the resident physicians have high awareness, knowledge and attitude but with average skills regarding telemedicine. This study also found out that there is a significant association between their awareness and year level, knowledge and computer & internet skills, attitude and residency specialty & formal training regarding telemedicine, skills and computer & internet skills and time of exposure to telemedicine. Lastly, there’s an association between the total AKAS scores and time of exposure to telemedicine. All of which have moderate degrees of association. Conclusions Telemedicine, although novel, is very important specially this time of pandemic. After knowing that there’s significant association between the AKAS scores of resident physicians, the conduct of telemedicine should be guided by these especially in terms of policy making. It is recommended to have formal skills training in conducting telemedicine to all the resident physicians. It is also recommended to have a better internet connection and updated computer specifications in line with the current guidelines to be able to effectively deliver health care through telemedicine.
Telemedicine ; COVID-19 ; Delivery of Health Care ; Awareness ; Knowledge ; Attitude

Background: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an evidence-based strategy recommended for at-risk populations for prevention of HIV transmission. However, the level of PrEP awareness and acceptance among Malaysian undergraduate students is currently unknown. Objectives: To assess the sexual activities, sexual behaviors, risk perception, awareness, and acceptance of PrEP of medical compared to non-medical students in a private medical university. Method: Demographic data, sexuality, sexual activity and behaviors, source of HIV knowledge, self- perceived risk of HIV, awareness and acceptance of PrEP were collected using an online anonymous survey among medical and non-medical students at a private medical university. Descriptive, comparative and regression analyses were performed where applicable. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 369 (187 medical, 182 non-medical) students responded. The median age was 22 with female:male ratio of 2:1. Eighty-one (22%) were sexually active of which 54% used condoms inconsistently, 58% had condomless sex in the preceding six months and 35% had casual or transactional sex. Despite this, 33 perceived themselves to be at low risk of HIV. Most learned about HIV from their coursework. PrEP awareness was 40% versus 20% while PrEP acceptance was 69% versus 67%, between medical and non-medical students, respectively. Conclusion Awareness of PrEP among medical students was low and even lower among non-medical students. PrEP acceptance was fair after viewing an introductory video on PrEP. PrEP must be included in the course curriculum. Studies to identify reasons for PrEP-hesitancy should be conducted to help guide policies and initiatives toward promoting PrEP as an additional tool in HIV prevention.
Malaysia ; HIV ; Awareness