Background: Diet is an important modifiable factor that may influence sleep quality, with several foods, nutrients, and dietary patterns reported to affect sleep-related outcomes. However, evidence regarding the relationship between Halal dietary practices and sleep quality remains limited. This study aimed to determine the association between the frequency of consumption of Halal-certified food groups and sleep quality among adult Filipino Muslims. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 323 adult Filipino Muslim members of the Greenhills Muslim Traders Association in San Juan City, Philippines. Participants were selected using purposive sampling based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), while dietary intake was measured using a structured questionnaire on the frequency of consumption of Halal-certified food groups. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participant characteristics, dietary patterns, and sleep quality. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association between Halal-certified food group consumption and sleep quality. Results: Halal-certified grain products were the most frequently consumed food group (mean = 2.39), while Halal-certified combination foods were the least frequently consumed (mean = 1.21). The mean global PSQI score was 4.62, indicating generally good sleep quality, and 67.8% of participants were classified as good sleepers (PSQI ≤5). Sleep efficiency had the highest mean component score (1.16), whereas subjective sleep quality had the lowest (0.00). Multivariable logistic regression showed no significant association between the frequency of consumption of most Halal-certified food groups and sleep quality (p > 0.05). However, more frequent consumption of Halal-certified combination foods was significantly associated with lower odds of good sleep quality (OR = 0.697, 95% CI: 0.529–0.919, p = 0.010). Conclusion The frequency of consumption of most Halal-certified food groups was not significantly associated with sleep quality among adult Filipino Muslims. However, increased consumption of Halal-certified combination foods was associated with lower odds of good sleep quality. Further studies should explore other dietary and behavioral factors that may influence sleep outcomes.
Sleep quality ;

Introduction: Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease transmitted through exposure to water or soil contaminated with the urine of infected animals, particularly rats. Despite ongoing prevention efforts, leptospirosis remains a public health concern in the Philippines, especially in flood-prone urban communities. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding leptospirosis among residents of Barangay Doña Imelda, Quezon City, and examined the association of selected sociodemographic factors with KAP. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used with 345 residents of Barangay Doña Imelda. Data were collected using an adapted KAP questionnaire. Open-ended questions were used to probe the responses further. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics and Spearman’s Rho correlation, Independent T-test, One-way and Welch ANOVA, and appropriate post hoc tests. Relationships among KAP domains were evaluated using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Respondents demonstrated high levels of knowledge (86.80%) and positive attitudes (90.91%) toward leptospirosis, but comparatively lower practice scores (69.25%). Knowledge scores differed significantly according to household size and civil status, while attitude and practice scores varied significantly across sex, educational attainment, and household income. Weak but significant positive correlations were observed between knowledge and attitude (rs = 0.126, p = 0.020), knowledge and practice (rs = 0.169, p = 0.002), and attitude and practice (rs = 0.170, p = 0.001). Conclusion Residents of Barangay Doña Imelda demonstrated adequate knowledge and positive attitudes toward leptospirosis; however, preventive practices remained suboptimal. Significant associations between KAP and selected sociodemographic factors were identified. Targeted health education, improved symptom recognition, and increased access to preventive resources may help strengthen leptospirosis prevention in high-risk urban communities.
Leptospirosis ; Knowledge ; Attitude ; Parks, Recreational ; Philippines

Background. Newborn screening (NBS) is a procedure for the immediate detection of genetic, metabolic, and endocrine disorders in neonates and is crucial for prompt treatment should such disorders be identified. In the Philippines, Republic Act 9288 requires health workers to properly inform mothers regarding NBS and its importance before the procedure.

Objective. To determine the knowledge, attitude, and awareness of primiparous postpartum mothers towards NBS Methods: A survey questionnaire was administered to primiparous mothers from Wards 15 and 16 of the Philippine General Hospital from April 11 through May 14, 2017. Results of primiparous postpartum mothers with or without previous prenatal check-ups were then compared.

Results. We surveyed 160 mothers, with half (56.3%) aged between 20 and 29 years. There were 149 mothers with and 11 without prenatal checkups. Mothers with previous prenatal checkups were more likely to be aware of NBS than those without prenatal checkups. Knowledge on NBS of mothers with previous prenatal checkups was higher on average compared to those without previous prenatal checkups. There was no significant difference in attitude between mothers with or without prenatal checkups.

Conclusion. Prenatal checkups increased the awareness and knowledge of primiparous mothers' towards NBS, and thus can be a potent vehicle where healthcare providers may inform the mother on the process and purpose of this procedure.

Neonatal Screening ; Knowledge ; Awareness ; Attitude

Introduction: To investigate the efficacy of Ultrasonic Bone Scalpel (UBS) in thoracic spinal stenosis (TSS) in comparison to traditional technique. Materials and methods: A total of 55 patients who had undergone conventional surgery (Group A) are compared with 45 patients of UBS (Group B) in TSS. The primary outcome measure of Modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association score (m JOA) with neurological complications and dural injury were assessed. Secondary outcome measures of total blood loss (TBL), time duration of surgery (ORT) and length of hospital stay (LHS) were analysed. Results: The pre-operative mJOA score 5.00(4.00-6.00) in the group A and 5.00(4.00-6.00) in the group B improved to 7.00(7.00-8.00) in the group A and 9.00(9.00-10.00) in the group B, respectively (P<0.001) at final average follow-up of 117.55 months for group A and 75.69 months in group B. More significant grade of myelopathy improvement and mJOA recovery rate (RR) were noted in group B. The TBL, ORT and LHS were more favourable in group B as compared to group A (p<0.0001). The group A had 9 (16.36%) neurological deficits compared to 2 (4.44%) in group B (p<0.001). Dural tears occurred in both groups (A=11, B=9). It was more frequent and not repairable in group A but without significant statistical difference. Conclusions: UBS can reduce neurological deficits and improve outcomes in TSS. Secondarily, reduced blood loss, lesser surgical time and reduced LHS are significant added advantages of this new technology.

Septic pulmonary embolism is an uncommon disorder in which septic thrombi are mobilized from an infectious nidus and transported in the vascular system of the lungs. We report a case of a 52-year-old immunocompetent female who suffered from septic pulmonary embolism associated with polymyositis, deep venous thrombosis and pericardial effusion. Oxacillin-sensitive staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) was isolated from her sputum. Clinical presentation improved after incision of the muscle abscess and vancomycin treatment.

Human ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Abscess ; Communicable Diseases ; Oxacillin ; Pericardial Effusion ; Polymyositis ; Pulmonary Infarction ; Sputum ; Staphylococcal Infections ; Staphylococcus Aureus ; Vancomycin ; Venous Thrombosis ; Pyomyositis