BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Nurses comprise the majority of the health workforce in the Philippines. Previous studies revealed that nurses manifest negative mental health outcomes exacerbated by COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to determine the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) of nurses in the Philippines and their workplace psychosocial support interventions during the pandemic. The ProQOL measures compassion satisfaction (CS), burnout (BO), and secondary traumatic stress (STS).

A self-administered online questionnaire was disseminated by the Philippine Nurses Association, Inc. to affiliated nurses via email and Facebook posts. Out of 713 responses, 239 were eligible with their data analyzed using t-test, one-way ANOVA, and post hoc pairwise multiple comparisons.

Respondents were found to have high CS (41.95 [SD 5.97]), moderate BO (23.56 [SD 6.07]), and moderate STS (26.62 [SD 8.18]). The most reported intervention was policies on confidentiality of workers’ mental health (84.94%) while the least reported was community engagements under the hospital’s mental health program (61.51%). ProQOL scores significantly differed in CS by age (p=0.011), position (p=0.044) and monthly income (p=0.016), BO by age (p=0.001) and years with current employer (p=0.009), and STS by region (p=0.017) and area of assignment (p=0.015). The existence of interventions yielded significant increase in CS and decrease in BO scores.

Nurses in the Philippines exhibit high and favorable ProQOL during the pandemic. The majority of respondents reported the presence of workplace interventions which yield significant differences in CS and BO. The findings highlight the importance of workplace psychosocial support interventions and the need to strengthen implementation.

INTRODUCTION

This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between work stress and dysglycemia among healthcare workers engaged in shift work at a level 1 government hospital in Antipolo City, Philippines.

Work stress was assessed using the Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI) Questionnaire, and dysglycemia was measured through a 75g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).

A total of 126 healthcare workers aged 20–55 years participated Results showed that 65.1% of participants experienced work stress, with nurses reporting the highest prevalence (43.9%). Dysglycemia was present in 33.3% of participants, predominantly in the form of impaired glucose tolerance. Despite the high prevalence of both work stress and obesity (61.9%), no statistically significant associations were found between work stress and dysglycemia (p = .51), gender and work stress (p = .59), occupation and work stress (p = .059), or obesity and dysglycemia (p = .70).

The findings suggest that while work stress is common among healthcare workers, especially nurses, it may not directly predict dysglycemia in relatively young and active populations. However, the long-term metabolic risks associated with chronic occupational stress should not be overlooked. Future longitudinal studies with larger samples are recommended to better assess causality and guide workplace wellness programs.

OBJECTIVES

Workers are continuously exposed to occupational hazards and risks. By analyzing recent data on the status of occupational safety and health (OSH) in the Philippines, this study aimed to determine the common occupational injuries and diseases among Filipino workers, and preventive and control measures/activities and occupational safety and health policies and programs implemented across the country.

A review of data on Philippine OSH from the Integrated Survey of Labor and Employment (ISLE) by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) covering data from 2015/2016, 2017/2018, and 2019/2020 was done. The number of occupational injury cases, types of injuries, and types of diseases were assessed as well as the implementation of OSH policies and programs. Descriptive statistics, simple T-test, and Pareto analysis were used to analyze the collated data sets.

The number of occupational injury and diseases in the Philippines across industries are decreasing. Superficial injuries and open wounds (56.47%), and Work-related Musculoskeletal Diseases (WMSDs) (61.82%) top the list as the most common injury and disease across industries, respectively. In 2018, OSH programs and preventive and control measures underwent reforms due to the implementation of the Republic Act (RA) 11058. For OSH programs, there is an increase in implementation between 2015 and 2019.

Occupational injury and occupational diseases in the Philippines across industries are declining. In terms of OSH measures and programs, there has been a significant change over the years, especially after the introduction of RA 11058 in 2018. A rise in the implementation of measures and policies was noted. However, there are still gaps that need to be addressed.

Climate change is increasingly affecting public health and safety, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations and aggravating existing health inequities. Recognizing the urgency of this challenge, the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health (EOH), College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, convened the Seventh EOH Forum on November 21–22, 2024, with the theme Resilient Futures: Enhancing Health and Safety in Communities and Workplaces Amid Climate Challenges. This commentary highlights key points raised during the forum, with a focus on community-and workplace-level initiatives that address climate-related health risks. These efforts include the improvement of heat-health early warning systems, integration of climate resilience in occupational health and safety programs, and hospital-based interventions for environmental footprint reduction. The presentations also emphasized the need for multi-stakeholder collaboration, localized mitigation and adaptation strategies, and climate-informed health promotion activities. The forum highlighted that building resilient communities and workplaces requires not only policy alignment and institutional support but also interventions on the ground that are inclusive and equitable.

Background: Occupational therapy (OT) can be part of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) in the university setting. Numerous studies worldwide have highlighted the negative impact of COVID-19 on mental health due to isolation and restrictions. In the Philippines, these issues were exacerbated among students, whose abrupt shift to remote learning negatively affected their mental well-being. As universities reopened, there is an opportunity for OT to support students' mental health. Objectives: This study presents the findings of an online group discussion and an online forum that explored the role of OT in MHPSS in the Philippine university setting. Moreover, this study aimed to (1) describe the perceptions of Filipino OT practitioners (OTPs) on their role in the university setting, and (2) describe thoughts of Filipino OTPs on being part of MHPSS services. Method: Using a qualitative exploratory design, data was gathered through an online discussion and an online forum. Thirty-five Filipino OTPs with a background in mental health practice served as the participants. Data was analysed using constant comparison. Results: Analyses of data generated four themes: (1) awareness of the importance of MHPSS as student support, (2) mental health and occupation-focused support in the education setting, (3) role of OT in MHPSS, and (4) potential for interprofessional services. Conclusion Need for OT in MHPSS is justified by rising issues in anxiety, depression, trauma, and stress that can be addressed using an occupation-focused approach. OTPs can provide non-specialized services like PFA, or specialized individual or group-based interventions. However, OTPs think that they need to know more about MHPSS to contribute across all levels of MHPSS.
Occupational Therapy ; Mental Health ; Psychosocial Support Systems

The relationship between mental health and occupational therapy (OT) in the Philippines is marked by several challenges and opportunities. Mental health is not merely the absence of mental conditions but encompasses a continuum of well-being that influences an individual's ability to navigate life's challenges.1 Similarly, occupational therapy focuses on healthpromoting occupations and their impact on an individual's environment and well-being.
Occupational Therapists ; Occupational Therapy ; Mental Health

Objectives Workers are continuously exposed to occupational hazards and risks. By analyzing recent data on the status of occupational safety and health (OSH) in the Philippines, this study aimed to determine the common occupational injuries and diseases among Filipino workers, and preventive and control measures/activities and occupational safety and health policies and programs implemented across the country.
occupational medicine ; occupational health ; public health ; preventive medicine

BACKGROUND

Occupational therapy (OT) can be part of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) in the university setting. Numerous studies worldwide have highlighted the negative impact of COVID-19 on mental health due to isolation and restrictions. In the Philippines, these issues were exacerbated among students, whose abrupt shift to remote learning negatively affected their mental well-being. As universities reopened, there is an opportunity for OT to support students' mental health.

This study presents the findings of an online group discussion and an online forum that explored the role of OT in MHPSS in the Philippine university setting. Moreover, this study aimed to (1) describe the perceptions of Filipino OT practitioners (OTPs) on their role in the university setting, and (2) describe thoughts of Filipino OTPs on being part of MHPSS services.

Using a qualitative exploratory design, data was gathered through an online discussion and an online forum. Thirty-five Filipino OTPs with a background in mental health practice served as the participants. Data was analysed using constant comparison.

Analyses of data generated four themes: (1) awareness of the importance of MHPSS as student support, (2) mental health and occupation-focused support in the education setting, (3) role of OT in MHPSS, and (4) potential for interprofessional services.

Need for OT in MHPSS is justified by rising issues in anxiety, depression, trauma, and stress that can be addressed using an occupation-focused approach. OTPs can provide non-specialized services like PFA, or specialized individual or group-based interventions. However, OTPs think that they need to know more about MHPSS to contribute across all levels of MHPSS.

The Sixth Environmental and Occupational Health Forum, conducted virtually on November 23 to 24, 2023, focused on "Accelerating the Development of Healthy and climate-smart Hospitals in the Southeast Asian Region." This forum, a collaborative effort of the University of the Philippines Manila and Health Care Without Harm Southeast Asia, aimed to explore and exchange strategies, challenges, and innovative practices for integrating environmental sustainability in healthcare settings across Southeast Asia. The event gathered healthcare professionals, policymakers, and environmental experts to discuss the transformation of hospitals into health and climate-smart institutions. Keynote speakers from various countries presented case studies and research findings, emphasizing the need for holistic approaches that include policy development, stakeholder engagement, and continuous education. Significant outcomes highlighted were the identification of effective policies for sustainable hospitals, understanding the impact of healthcare facilities on climate change, and the necessity for political acumen in promoting environmental stewardship in healthcare. The forum concluded with a consensus on the critical need for ongoing collaboration and innovation in environmental and occupational health, underscoring the importance of transforming healthcare facilities into entities that prioritize both patient care and planetary health.
Delivery of Health Care ; Occupational Health

COVID-19, caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was first identified in Wuhan, China in late 2019. Rapidly spreading worldwide, it was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in early 2020 [1]. Various mitigation strategies, such as physical distancing, travel restrictions, and other public health protocols, were enforced globally to curb virus transmission [2,3]. However, these measures also disrupted daily life, work environments, and public health systems, posing significant challenges in balancing virus prevention and continuation of economic activity [4]. This paper aimed to highlight key lessons from the Third Environmental and Occupational Health (EOH) Forum on public health emergency response as demonstrated by selected Asian countries. Proceedings from the forum were reviewed and analyzed, arriving at the following lessons and themes: proactive and strategic public health interventions, leadership and governance, community participation, policy adjustments, technological integration and innovation, and balancing health and economic activities. The forum, themed “Environmental and Occupational Health Initiatives During the COVID-19 Pandemic,” was held virtually in November 2020 [5]. Understanding environmental and occupational health interventions as well as the themes of strategies by Asian countries, provides valuable insights into early pandemic management and contributes to a repository of knowledge that can be adapted and applied globally, enhancing the overall effectiveness of pandemic responses.
Occupational Health ; Environmental Health ; Publich Health ; COVID-19 ; Pandemics ; Asia