1.The impact of Anchor, a home visitation programme for maltreated children, on child developmental and behavioural outcomes.
Shi Hua CHAN ; Jean Yin OH ; Li Ming ONG ; Wen Hann CHOW ; Oh Moh CHAY ; Salam SOLIMAN ; Lourdes Mary DANIEL ; Pratibha AGARWAL ; Charmain Samantha TAN ; Jun Lin SAI ; Joanne Ferriol ESPECKERMAN ; Rehena SULTANA ; Cong Jin Wilson LOW ; Sita Padmini YELESWARAPU
Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore 2025;54(4):208-218
INTRODUCTION:
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with significant long-term impacts, yet few interventions specifically target ACE exposure, especially in Asian populations. Anchor, Singapore's first home visitation programme, addresses maltreat-ment among preschool children. This study evaluated Anchor's impact on children's developmental and behavioural outcomes.
METHOD:
We conducted a prospective evaluation of children under 4 years assessed for maltreatment from November 2019 to July 2023. Developmental and behavioural progress was measured every 6 months using the Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ-3) and ASQ:Social-Emotional (ASQ:SE-2), and annually using the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL).
RESULTS:
The results of 125 children (mean age 20.0 months, 48% female) were analysed. The mean length of stay in programme was 21.2 (7.3) months. At baseline, 92 (73.6%) children were at risk of develop-mental delay and 25 (31.7%) children aged ≥18 months had behavioural concerns. The programme was associated with significant improvements in gross motor (P=0.002) and fine motor (P=0.001) domains of the ASQ-3 and internalising problem scale (P=0.001) of the CBCL.
CONCLUSION
Anchor effectively enhances develop-mental and behavioural outcomes for children exposed to maltreatment. Targeted early intervention through such programmes can mitigate adverse impacts, optimising developmental trajectories and potentially reducing the long-term clinical and economic burdens associated with ACEs.
Humans
;
Female
;
Male
;
Child Abuse/therapy*
;
Child, Preschool
;
Singapore
;
House Calls
;
Infant
;
Prospective Studies
;
Child Development
;
Developmental Disabilities/epidemiology*
;
Program Evaluation
;
Child Behavior Disorders
;
Child Behavior
2.Acceptability of One Health as an approach in the prevention and control of animal bites and rabies.
Rosita Rodriguez ROLDAN-GAN ; Ernesto Ramos GREGORIO
Philippine Journal of Health Research and Development 2025;29(3):53-63
INTRODUCTION
Rabies is a public health concern in the Philippines, where gaps in animal bite prevention and control persist despite national mandates. The One Health approach is a framework which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. Although the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007 aligns with the One Health strategies, its implementation at the local level faced many challenges in coordination, delivery of service, and program sustainability.
OBJECTIVEThis study aimed to determine the factors influencing the acceptability of One Health approach among key stakeholders as a strategy in the prevention and control of animal bites and rabies in the municipality of Alaminos, Laguna.
METHODOLOGYA qualitative Grounded Theory design was used in the study. Eleven key informants from the provincial, municipal, and barangay levels were interviewed.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONCONCLUSIONThematic analysis of key informants’ responses revealed that, despite limited awareness of the One Health approach, multi-sectoral coordination aids program implementation, although operational gaps remain. Fragmented program delivery, lack of formal training and certification, unclear roles, poor communication, inactive task forces, outdated ordinances, weak enforcement, limited community engagement, and low prioritization of rabies prevention collectively hinder effective implementation.
CONCLUSIONThe study highlights the complex challenges of implementing the One Health approach for animal bites and rabies control in rural communities. Effective implementation requires strengthened stakeholder capacity-building and training, enhanced community engagement, improved access to veterinary services, reinforced intersectoral coordination and policy enforcement through revitalized task forces, and ongoing monitoring of progress through vaccination coverage and incidence data.
Animals ; One Health ; Public Health ; Environmental Health ; Program Evaluation ; Bites And Stings ; Rabies
3.Student evaluation of a Learning Enhancement in Anatomy Program (LEAP) during the COVID-19 pandemic: A retrospective study
Jose V. Tecson, II ; Rafael C. Bundoc ; Abdel Jeffri A. Abdulla ; Ronnie E. Baticulon ; Ryner Jose D. Carrillo ; Christopher S. Constantino ; Karen June P. Dumlao ; Rowena F. Genuino ; Blesile Suzette S. Mantaring ; Jose Leonard R. Pascual ; Donnel Alexis T. Rubio ; Kenny S. Seng ; Florida F. Taladtad ; Sylvia Karina L. Alip ; Joannes Luke B. Asis ; Pio Renato F. Villacorta ; Charlotte M. Chiong
Acta Medica Philippina 2023;57(10):79-88
Background and Objective:
The pandemic acted as an accelerator for the development of online teaching formats in anatomy and histology worldwide. The authors introduce a bridging program that reinforces the knowledge and understanding of gross and correlative anatomy and histology acquired in a virtual environment in preparation for its future clinical application. The study aims to evaluate the Learning Enhancement in Anatomy Program (LEAP) conducted among first-year medical students at the College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila.
Methods:
This descriptive cross-sectional study aims to determine the initial experience of implementing a learning enhancement program and assess areas for its improvement. An internally validated questionnaire was given to students after the program to gauge students’ reactions (Kirkpatrick Level 1 evaluation). Pre- and post-tests were administered to evaluate knowledge acquisition (Kirkpatrick Level 2 evaluation). Short-term behavioral peer evaluation (Kirkpatrick Level 3 evaluation) was also instituted.
Results:
One hundred fifty-two (152) students participated in the study. General reactions from students to the LEAP were consistently positive, with a steady majority of the students rating ‘5’ or a ‘Strongly Agree’ to positive statements regarding the program. Higher ratings for more traditional teaching methods, such as cadavers, formalinized specimens, and bones, compared to virtual systems were apparent. However, inter-student variation in preference for teaching modalities was observed. All stations of the LEAP were evaluated satisfactorily, with most gross anatomy stations rated higher than histology stations. A significant increase was noted in the total post-test scores compared to pre-test scores. This improvement in test scores was observed in the anatomy and histology subcategories and in six of the seven organ system modules. Perceived behavioral outcomes were also generally positive.
Conclusion
The LEAP is a worthwhile endeavor, garnering overwhelmingly positive reactions and a
significant improvement in test scores. Future studies are necessary to fine-tune teaching and training in a
blended learning environment.
Anatomy
;
COVID-19
;
Education, Medical
;
Program Evaluation
4.Facilitators and barriers to implementation of the Pharmacy DOTS Initiative in selected project sites in the Philippines.
Jonathan P. GUEVARRA ; Carl Abelardo T. ANTONIO ; Amiel Nazer C. BERMUDEZ ; Kim L. COCHON ; Azar G. AGBON ; Michelle D. AVELINO ; Jorel A. MANALO ; Diana Dalisay A. OROLFO ; Eden C. MENDOZA ; Ronald Allan M. FABELLA
Acta Medica Philippina 2022;56(3):43-48
Objectives: The Pharmacy DOTS Initiative (PDI) was relaunched on a larger scale in 2014 through the Innovations and Multi-Sectoral Partnerships to Achieve Control of Tuberculosis (IMPACT) project. This paper aimed to assess the PDI program through IMPACT by identifying the facilitating and hindering factors in its implementation. The identified factors are classified as to the affected stakeholders or processes.
Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the PDI Program Manager and four NTP coordinators from selected project sites. Thematic analysis was done to determine the recurring facilitating and hindering factors as identified by the key informants.
Results: Facilitating factors identified include cooperation of the stakeholders, capability-building and a good referral system. The barriers to the implementation were grouped into patient-related, pharmacy-related, health center-related, program-related as well as external factors.
Conclusion: The referral system created through PDI facilitated the flow of referrals starting from the pharmacy. This enabled presumptive patients to have access to health facilities for TB. Hindering factors contributed to the inability of the engaged pharmacies to sustain their consistency and commitment in conducting the PDI interventions.
Key Words: barriers, facilitators, tuberculosis, directly observed therapy, program evaluation, pharmacy
Tuberculosis ; Directly Observed Therapy ; Program Evaluation ; Pharmacy
5.Evaluation of China Comprehensive AIDS Response Program in 2020.
Duo SHAN ; Hui LI ; Yuan ZHAO ; Yu Fen LIU ; Zhong Fu LIU
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2022;43(4):517-522
Objective: To analyze the work indicators of China Comprehensive AIDS Response Program (China CARES) and provide reference for future work of the program. Methods: The scores of each indicator were calculated, and different scores among different types of program areas were compared. The M(Q1,Q3) was used to describe the score of each indicator. The entropy weight method was used to calculate the composite score of each indicator and the composite score was translated into a 100-point system and compared among indicators. Results: In terms of the first-level indicators, organizational leadership and management (96.0 points), publicity and education (94.0 points), and innovative strategies and measures (98.0 points) got relatively high scores; while comprehensive social governance of AIDS prevention (72.0 points) was with the lowest score. The scores of publicity and education and comprehensive intervention in county-level program areas were significantly lower than those in urban areas. For secondary indicators, the indicator with relatively lower scores included "condom use among female sex workers last time" (70.0 points)", "at least one local key population has an increase in the number of people receiving HIV testing compared with the previous year" (70.0 points)", "colleges and occupational schools set up AIDS-related self-service facilities" (65.0 points), "HIV testing among the arrested people suspected of prostitution, adultery, drug users and traffickers" (55.0 points) and "condom use among men who have sex with men during last episode" (50.0 points). The "indicator 3 comprehensive intervention" contributed most to the evaluation, while "indicator 7 innovation strategies and measures" played a minor role in the evaluation results. Conclusions: The overall situation of AIDS Response Program in 2020 was good, but the progress in different word areas was not yet balanced. The two areas of comprehensive intervention and comprehensive social governance of AIDS prevention should be strengthened. It is also suggested that relevant indicators be adjusted appropriately to improve evaluation indicators system and comprehensively promote the program.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/prevention & control*
;
China/epidemiology*
;
Female
;
HIV Infections/epidemiology*
;
Homosexuality, Male
;
Humans
;
Male
;
Program Evaluation
;
Sex Workers
;
Sexual and Gender Minorities
6.The Community Mental Health Program in Calabarzon: Preliminary report from an internal review of an innovative service integration initiative for Schizophrenia
Eduardo C. Janairo ; Paulina A. Calo ; Marilou R. Espiritu ; Anthony T. Abala ; Kristel Anne N. Buenaventura ; Carl Abelardo T. Antonio
Philippine Journal of Health Research and Development 2021;25(2):69-74
The Community Mental Health Program (CMHP) of the Center for Health Development Calabarzon is an initiative that aims to integrate mental health into primary care to facilitate person-centered and holistic services. At the core of CMHP is a referral pathway between health centers and tertiary-level mental health services for the diagnosis and continuing management of persons with mental health conditions, as well as the use of an innovative medication (specifically for schizophrenia). This commentary presents lessons learned from a one-year implementation of CMHP in four pilot sites in the provinces of Rizal and Laguna, which stakeholders in mental health may consider in the design of community-based mental health programs to further the mandate of the Mental Health Act.
Schizophrenia
;
Mental Health Services
;
Program Evaluation
;
Paliperidone Palmitate
7.Pharmacy DOTS Initiative (PDI): A case study on integrating pharmacies in the tuberculosis directly observed treatment-short course (TB DOTS) network in the Philippines
Amiel Nazer C. Bermudez ; Carl Abelardo T. Antonio ; Jonathan P. Guevarra ; Kim L. Cochon ; Diana Dalisay A. Orolfo ; Jorel A. Manalo ; Michelle D. Avelino ; Azar D. Agbon ; Eden C. Mendoza ; Ronald Allan M. Fabella
Philippine Journal of Health Research and Development 2020;24(1):46-50
Background:
Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease that has continuously burdened Filipinos. Various programs have been launched by public and private sectors to decrease the incidence of TB and to scale up TB prevention and control in the country. In line with this, pharmacists have been contributing in the campaign against TB since 2004 through the implementation of the Pharmacy DOTS Initiative (PDI). Through the project Innovations and Multi-Sectorial Partnerships to Achieve Control of TB (IMPACT), PDI was relaunched in the country in 2014.
Objectives:
This case study aims to evaluate the impact of PDI on TB prevention and control by assessing the effectiveness of the technical assistance package rolled out during program implementation.
Methods:
A review of documents was done to evaluate the achievement of the specific targets of PDI.
Results:
Among the targets, the percentage of actively referring pharmacies and the number of referrals made throughout the program failed to meet the target. The remaining program targets such as the establishment of a referral system, training of pharmacy personnel, adoption of a TB DOTS curriculum in pharmacy schools, and presence of national legislation, policies, and guidelines relevant to PDI were satisfactorily met.
Conclusion
PDI had a good response at the start of its implementation, but several issues resulted in the inability to sustain the interventions and achieve set targets.
Tuberculosis
;
Program Evaluation
;
Case Reports
8.A Qualitative Study of Students' Perception on Premedical Curriculum
Claire Junga KIM ; Hwa Young LEE ; Young Mi PARK ; Hee Jung YI
The Ewha Medical Journal 2020;43(1):12-18
OBJECTIVES: A Womans University College of Medicine faces curriculum reform in 2020. To determine what reforms are needed in the premedical curriculum, a needs assessment was conducted.METHODS: This study utilizes qualitative study method. A focus group interview was conducted with four students who completed premedical courses from November to December 2018. Interviews were conducted in two groups by grade level, and each interview was recorded. After transcribing the recorded contents, four researchers analyzed the data using conventional content analysis.RESULTS: Students chose A Womans University College of Medicine considering their future careers as female medical professionals and other considerations such as scholarships. The students expected diverse experiences, exchanges with students in different departments, and fusion of medicine with other fields during their premedical years. Overall, these expectations were met during the course, but individual needs for customized education, such as liberal arts, were unmet. In general, students' attitudes toward premedical courses were very motivated and they actively used resources provided by the university.CONCLUSION: Qualitative research can provide a better understanding of quantitative data, such as a student survey performed to prepare for curriculum reform. Based on this understanding, the curriculum will be reformed to reflect the educational needs of students, to motivate students and to provide satisfactory education.
Curriculum
;
Education
;
Education, Medical
;
Fellowships and Scholarships
;
Female
;
Focus Groups
;
Humans
;
Methods
;
Needs Assessment
;
Program Evaluation
;
Qualitative Research
;
Students, Premedical
9.The Effects of Team-based Simulation Education on Problem Solving Process, Communication Ability and Communication Confidence of Nursing Students
Health Communication 2019;14(2):165-172
The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of simulation education using team-based on problem solving process, communication ability and communication confidence of nursing students. The study used a one group, pre-post test design. The subjects of this study were 88 nursing college students. self-reported questionnaires were collected between March 3 and June 21, 2019. As a result, There was a statistically significant difference in the problem-solving process: 3.37 points beforehand, 3.53 points after death, 3.36 points after communication, 3.54 points after the fact, and communication confidence increased from 6.39 points before to 7.64 points. After team-based simulation training, problem solving process is a communication ability, communicator confidence. The results of this study show that team-based simulation training has been effective in improving problem resolution, communication skills and communication confidence, so it can be used as a basis for future standardized program development.
Communication
;
Education
;
Evaluation Studies as Topic
;
Humans
;
Nursing
;
Problem Solving
;
Program Development
;
Simulation Training
;
Students, Nursing
10.Physiological effects of weightlessness: countermeasure system development for a long-term Chinese manned spaceflight.
Linjie WANG ; Zhili LI ; Cheng TAN ; Shujuan LIU ; Jianfeng ZHANG ; Siyang HE ; Peng ZOU ; Weibo LIU ; Yinghui LI
Frontiers of Medicine 2019;13(2):202-212
The Chinese space station will be built around 2020. As a national space laboratory, it will offer unique opportunities for studying the physiological effects of weightlessness and the efficacy of the countermeasures against such effects. In this paper, we described the development of countermeasure systems in the Chinese space program. To emphasize the need of the Chinese space program to implement its own program for developing countermeasures, we reviewed the literature on the negative physiological effects of weightlessness, the challenges of completing missions, the development of countermeasure devices, the establishment of countermeasure programs, and the efficacy of the countermeasure techniques in American and Russian manned spaceflights. In addition, a brief overview was provided on the Chinese research and development on countermeasures to discuss the current status and goals of the development of countermeasures against physiological problems associated with weightlessness.
China
;
Humans
;
Program Evaluation
;
Space Flight
;
Weightlessness
;
Weightlessness Simulation


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail