OBJECTIVES

To explore the lasting lived experiences of Filipino adults who were isolated due to COVID-19 as late adolescents and examine how these experiences shaped their health consciousness

METHODS

This qualitative study employed an interpretative phenomenological analysis using Colaizzi’s method. Six participants aged 18 and above, who were aged 17–19 during their COVID-19 diagnosis and isolation, were recruited. One-onone semi-structured interviews were conducted and thematically analyzed.

RESULTS

Four main themes emerged: (1) Sources of Stress including academic disruptions, isolation, symptoms and healthcare inefficiencies; (2) Attitudes Toward the Experience ranging from fear to calm acceptance and social responsibility; (3) Coping Strategies such as external support and personal mechanisms like spirituality and hobbies; and (4) Impact of COVID-19 which encompassed interpersonal growth, normalization of illness and varying degrees of health behavior change.

CONCLUSION

While the experience of isolation during adolescence posed significant stress, it also offered opportunities for personal and interpersonal growth. Most participants exhibited increased health consciousness, though behavior change was limited. These insights highlight the value of integrating health behavior interventions for young adults shaped by pandemic experiences.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Adolescent: 13-18 Yrs Old ; Adolescent ; Consciousness ; Behavior ; Covid-19 ; Methods ; Social Responsibility ; World Health Organization ; Young Adult ; Health ; Diagnosis ; Health Behavior

Background: Apart from its role in bone health, recent developments have shown that vitamin D also has anti-inflammatory properties, and therefore may have a role in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in children. Objectives: To determine the effect of vitamin D supplementation on the disease activity of pediatric patients with IBD. Design: Random-effects meta-analysis Data Sources: : Studies were searched at Cochrane Library, PubMed, EBSCO Host, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and Wiley Online. Review Methods: Experimental studies measuring the effect of vitamin D on the disease activity of pediatric patients with IBD were included. The proportion of disease activity, measured as remission rate or inactivity using Pediatric Crohn’s Disease Activity Index (PCDAI) or Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index (PUCAI), and the mean and standard deviation of mean serum vitamin D [25(OH)D] level, change in 25(OH)D, and different inflammatory markers [erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP)] were extracted or estimated and recorded in an abstraction form. Standardized mean difference and odds ratio were used as summary effect measures and estimated using Stata/Multiprocessor. Results: The serum 25(OH)D (SMD = 1.75, z = 2.33, p = 0.001) and change in 25(OH)D (SMD = 3.37, z = 2.34, p = 0.019) was significantly higher among those who received a high dose of vitamin D. However, a significantly high heterogeneity was estimated (I2 >50%). For the disease activity of IBD, the standard mean difference of mean ESR (SMD = –1.10, z = 5.35, p = 0.001) was significantly lower with high-dose vitamin D. The likelihood of remission rate using the Pediatric Crohn’s Disease Activity Index (PCDAI) or Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index (PUCAI), and standardized mean difference of CRP were not significantly different among those who received high-dose and low-dose vitamin D. Conclusion Cognizant of the functions of vitamin D in enhancing intestinal flora balance, regulating immunologic response, and improving intestinal mucosal barrier, vitamin D can be recommended as a supplementary treatment for IBD among the pediatric population. Nevertheless, there is still insufficient evidence for the cut-off level of adequate levels of serum 25(OH)D among pediatric patients with IBD, thus necessitating further studies.
Vitamin D Deficiency