OBJECTIVES

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome among Filipino adults was found to be 12-19%. Diet has been one risk factor targeted to prevent complications. The association of each macronutrient component with metabolic syndrome remains unclear. There is no Philippine data on macronutrient intake and metabolic syndrome, thus, the primary objective of this study is to determine the association of food intake with metabolic syndrome among Filipino adults.

METHODS

This study utilized a cross-sectional design. Data were taken from the results of the 8th National Nutrition and Health Survey (NNHeS). Filipino adults from different regions who consented to participate and with complete anthropometric, biochemical and food recall data were included in this study.

RESULTS

There were 8,056 adults included in the study. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 32%. Multivariate analysis showed that increased total protein intake (OR 1.391) and increased daily consumption of meat and poultry (OR 1.397) were associated with increased risk for metabolic syndrome. On the other hand, decreased vegetable intake was associated with increased risk for metabolic syndrome, as well as higher socioeconomic status, female sex, and old age.

CONCLUSION

ncreased total protein intake and daily consumptions of meat, poultry, and decreased vegetable intake are associated with an increased risk for metabolic syndrome.

Human ; Male ; Female ; World Health Organization ; Metabolic Syndrome ; Health Surveys ; Economics ; Multivariate Analysis ; Female

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the epidemiological characteristics and genetic variant profile of Short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (SCADD) among newborns from Hainan Province and evaluate its significance within the local neonatal disease screening panel. METHODS: A total of 84 184 newborns born in Hainan Province from February to December 2024 were included. Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) was employed to detect butyrylcarnitine (C4) and propionylcarnitine (C3) levels in dried blood spots. Screening thresholds were set at C4 > 0.43 μ mol/L and C4/C3 ratio > 0.28. Suspected cases underwent confirmatory testing via urinary ethylmalonic acid analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and whole-exome sequencing for ACADS gene variants. This study was approved by the Medial Ethics Committee of the hospital (Ethics No.: HNWCMC-2024-55). RESULTS: Six SCADD cases (male-to-female ratio = 1:1) were diagnosed, with all carrying compound heterozygous variants at two loci, yielding a prevalence of 7.13 per 100,000 live births. Four known ACADS gene variants were identified, with both c.322G>A and c.625G>A detected at a frequency of 41.7%. Regular follow-up (as of January 2026) revealed that all diagnosed cases have remained asymptomatic with normal growth and development. CONCLUSION The prevalence of SCADD among newborns in Hainan Province is relatively high, with c.322G>A and c.625G>A as the hotspot variants in the region. Given the absence of clinical phenotypes in all screen-detected cases during long-term follow-up, it is recommended to remove this condition from the routine neonatal screening program for this region to reduce unnecessary anxiety and medical cost.
Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Neonatal Screening/methods* ; Female ; Male ; Lipid Metabolism, Inborn Errors/epidemiology* ; Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase/genetics* ; China/epidemiology* ; Follow-Up Studies

OBJECTIVES

This study determined the prevalence of BBD among toilet-trained children attending a tertiary hospital’s pediatric outpatient clinic, and to evaluate the effectiveness of standard urotherapy among affected children.

METHODS

A prospective interventional study was conducted among 144 toilet-trained children aged 7 to 12 years seen at the University of Santo Tomas Hospital outpatient clinic from August 2025 to September 2025. Sociodemographic data were collected, and BBD was screened using the validated Filipino version of the Dysfunctional Voiding Symptom Scores (DVSS) questionnaire. Children with BBD underwent standard urotherapy, which included behavioral and lifestyle interventions such as timed voiding, adequate hydration, constipation management and proper voiding posture. DVSS assessments were repeated at two and four weeks.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of BBD was 22.9% (33 of 144). BBD was significantly more prevalent among females (31.88%) than males (14.67%) (adjusted OR = 2.96, 95% CI: 1.28–6.86; p = 0.011). At baseline, children with BBD had significantly higher mean total DVSS scores (9.15 ± 3.64) compared to those without (2.01 ± 1.80, pCONCLUSION

Standard urotherapy proved effective in reducing symptom scores within two weeks and resulted in complete clinical resolution after four weeks among those who continued therapy. Routine screenings for BBD using DVSS and early initiation of standard urotherapy in pediatric outpatient settings are recommended to prevent complications and improve children’s urinary and bowel health.

Human ; Child: 6-12 Yrs Old ; World Health Organization ; Outpatient Clinics, Hospital ; Mass Screening ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Constipation ; Ambulatory Care Facilities

INRODUCTION

The growing misuse of antibiotics and the escalating threat of antibiotic resistance in the Philippines pose significant public health concerns. While various Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) questionnaires on personal antibiotic use have been employed in local studies, none have been fully validated and a standardized, culturally appropriate tool remains lacking.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to develop a Filipino-translated and culturally adapted KAP questionnaire on personal antibiotic use (KAPQ-PAU-FIL) and evaluate its validity and reliability.

METHODOLOGY

The research consisted of two phases. The first phase is the translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the original questionnaire in collaboration with the UST Sentro sa Salin at Araling Salin. The second phase is the validity and reliability testing of the KAPQ-PAU-FIL using a sample of 176 Filipino adults. This included assessment of its face validity, content validity, construct validity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability and equivalent forms reliability.

RESULTS

Most items were translated without difficulty, though four items were modified to better fit the linguistic and cultural context. The KAPQ-PAU-FIL demonstrates strong psychometric properties, with face validity (SFVI/Ave = 0.99), content validity (SCVI/Ave = 0.99), construct validity (CFI = 0.92, RMSEA = 0.06, SRMR = 0.04; FL = 0.60-0.85; ITC = 0.58-0.71), test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.83), internal consistency (α = 0.929) and equivalent forms reliability (p>0.05; κ = 0.62-0.74).

CONCLUSION

The KAPQ-PAU-FIL is the first ever, Filipino-translated, culturally adapted questionnaire designed to assess KAPQ-PAU-FIL, demonstrating strong validity and reliability to support public health programs against antibiotic misuse.

Surveys And Questionnaires ; Public Health ; Knowledge ; Anti-bacterial Agents ; Philippines ; Program

In the Philippines, the rate of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remains high, and statistics show that the highest prevalence is among individuals between the ages of 15 and 24 years old. Unlike Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), other common STIs, such as gonorrhea, syphilis, HPV and herpes are not well discussed.

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the knowledge, awareness and misconceptions of STIs and their practices among men and women aged 15-24 in Sampaloc, Manila. Convenience sampling was conducted among 15- to 24-year-old residents from Barangay 466, excluding healthcare professionals. Sets of questions were adapted from other knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) research studies and underwent cross-cultural validation. Questions were also translated and validated into the Filipino language. Data gathering was conducted using self-administered surveys disseminated through online posting and in-community, as well as face-to-face recruitment.

Among the 104 respondents, HIV remained the most recognized STI (99%), while less than half were aware that chlamydia and hepatitis B are STIs. The most common misconception about STI transmission includes the sharing of food and drinks. In terms of prevention, more than half of the participants believed that oral contraceptive pills can prevent STIs. With regards to attitude, 43.3% of the participants disagreed that watching/reading pornographic materials can contribute to risky sexual practices. Among sexually active participants, 19% do not use condoms, and 65% of them do not get tested annually.

In conclusion, the findings from this study reveal a concerning gap in KAP related to STIs among participants aged 15-24 Filipinos. It is recommended that efforts should be directed towards targeted education campaigns and interventions to empower young individuals with accurate information and foster a responsible approach to sexual health.

Human ; Adolescent: 13-18 Yrs Old ; Young Adult: 19-24 Yrs Old ; Surveys And Questionnaires ; Sexually Transmitted Diseases ; Residence Characteristics ; Cross-sectional Studies ; Reproductive Health

BACKGROUND

This study was inspired by the increasing cases of Diabetes Mellitus II (DM II) and the drive to strengthen early detection and intervention. The study specifically examined the American Diabetes Association (ADA) Risk Screening Form to detect DM and its potential as a cost-effective alternative to the standard screening criteria using Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) and 2-hour Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT).

METHODOLOGY

It utilized observational, cross sectional, descriptive, comparative design conducted among 269 hospital employees in a tertiary hospital. All participants were examined using the ADA Risk Screening Form and underwent standard test of FPG and 2-hour OGTT. Mean and standard deviation, frequency and percentage, and Mann-Whitney test were used in the treatment of data.

RESULTS

The clinicodemographic profile of the employees showed that most of the personnel belonged to age old (66.5%). Among the employees, 159 were females (66.5%) and 110 were males (59.1%). Additionally, most of the
personnel do not have hypertension (73.2%) and are physically active (56.1%) however most were noted to be overweight
(48.3%) and have family history of diabetes (45%). Furthermore, majority of the females did not have a history of gestational
diabetes mellitus (37.2%). The results revealed that most of the personnel were identified under decreased risk using the
ADA screening form and are non-diabetic (79.18%) using the laboratory test, whereas those pre-diabetic and diabetic
accounted 13.38% and 7.43% respectively. The results showed sensitivity of ADA Risk Screening Tool for DM Type 2
alongside the results of FPG and OGTT 30.4 and 25.7 respectively, specificity (87.3, 87.7), positive predictive value (38.6,
44.2), negative predictive value (82.7, 75.7), and accuracy (75.5, 70.6). Lastly, the results revealed that the use of ADA
screening tool showed no difference with the use of FPG with p-value of 0.095 and OGTT with p-value of 0.118.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Adult: 25-44 Yrs Old ; Middle Aged: 45-64 Yrs Old ; Association ; Form ; Government ; Hospitals ; Mass Screening ; Occupational Groups ; Risk

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Transient congenital hypothyroidism (TCH) refers to temporary deficiency of thyroid hormone identified after birth which later recovers to improved thyroxine production. Its prevalence in the Philippines has not been reported in a large-scale study. Its diagnosis remains difficult due to its numerous possible etiologies. Identifying the predictive factors of TCH may aid in earlier diagnosis and decreased risk of overtreatment. This study aimed to determine the predictive factors for TCH in children with congenital hypothyroidism (CH) detected by newborn screening (NBS) in the Philippines from January 2010 to December 2017.

METHODS

In this multicenter retrospective cohort study involving 15 NBS continuity clinics in the Philippines, medical records were reviewed, and clinical and laboratory factors were compared between children with TCH and those with permanent congenital hypothyroidism (PCH). Of the 2,913 children diagnosed with CH in the Philippines from 2010 to 2017, 1,163 (39.92%) were excluded from the study due to an unrecalled or lost to follow-up status, or a concomitant diagnosis of Down Syndrome.

RESULTS

Among the 1,750 patients included in analysis, 6.97% were diagnosed with TCH, 60.80% were female, mean gestational age at birth was 38 weeks, and mean birth weight was 2,841 grams. Confirmatory thyrotropin (TSH) was lower and confirmatory free thyroxine (FT4) was higher in the TCH group compared to those with PCH (TSH 32.80 vs 86.65 µIU/mL [pCONCLUSION

Of all the patients with confirmed congenital hypothyroidism via the newborn screening, 6.97% were diagnosed with transient CH. Factors associated with TCH are confirmatory TSH and FT4, L-thyroxine dose requirements, thyroid ultrasound findings, gestational age at birth, and a maternal history of thyroid illness.

Human ; Congenital Hypothyroidism ; Philippines ; Neonatal Screening ; Prevalence

Human ; Mass Screening ; Mothers ; Nuchal Translucency Measurement ; Prenatal Diagnosis

Objective To understand the willingness of general practitioner(GP) to enhance working competence in community healthcare centers in Shanghai and provide a basis for the competence training of GPs in community healthcare centers. Methods In August 2023,GPs were selected from some community healthcare centers in Shanghai and their willingness to enhance working competence were studied by a questionnaire survey.The survey included 39 secondary indicators in three dimensions:general practice theory,skills,and humanity. Results A total of 1 192 GPs completed the questionnaire,with an effective rate of 100%.The total score of GPs' willingness to enhance their working competence was 258.45±80.93,and the mean score of the three dimensions was 6.63±2.08.The score for the general practice theory was the highest (6.92±1.95),while that for general practice humanity was the lowest (6.44±2.34) among the three dimensions.The score of willingness to enhance working efficiency differed across different age ranges (P<0.001),professional titles (P<0.001),years of work (P<0.001),and educational backgrounds of GPs (P=0.039).Those with the age younger than 30 years old,junior professional titles,less than 5 years of work experience,and a college degree or below had the highest willingness score to enhance their working competence.Among the top three secondary indicators of willingness score in each dimension,the top three methods of working competence enhancement were community general practice and specialized healthcare services combined with outpatient learning,flexible further training,and continuing education courses.Conclusions There is an urgent need for young GPs in community healthcare centers in Shanghai to enhance their working competence.Targeted enhancement plans can be provided to different groups of GPs with different characteristics through community general practice and specialized healthcare services combined with outpatient learning,flexible further training,and continuing education courses,which can further enhance the ability and quality of the GP team.
Humans ; China ; General Practitioners/psychology* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Community Health Centers ; Clinical Competence ; Female ; Adult ; Male ; Attitude of Health Personnel ; Middle Aged

The five-year survival rate of gastric cancer in China is close to that in European and American countries but far lower than that in the Republic of Korea and Japan,which have established national gastric cancer screening systems.It is of great significance to build a high-quality gastric cancer screening system adaptive to China's national conditions.Due to the large number of people at risk of gastric cancer and uneven distribution of medical resources,it is still difficult for China to carry out a nationwide gastroscopy screening plan for gastric cancer.Gastric ultrasound,with painlessness,no radiation,and easy acceptance and popularization,could be used as one of the alternative methods for initial screening of gastric cancer.Based on two gastric ultrasound-related consensuses published in 2020,this consensus elaborates on the necessity,feasibility,and existing problems of conducting preliminary gastric cancer ultrasound screening in China by analyzing the gastric cancer screening strategies and the difficulties faced by nationwide gastric cancer screening.Furthermore,this consensus introduces the indications and contraindications of gastric ultrasound examination,requirements for the operator and the contrast agent,ultrasound standard section,essentials of scanning operations,and stomach ultrasound report and data system (Su-RADS) and proposes the relevant consensus opinions accordingly.After multiple rounds of discussions and voting by experts from multiple societies,a total of 17 consensus opinions have been formed on gastric ultrasound as a preliminary screening technique for gastric cancer,with the aim of standardizing the popularization of gastric ultrasound.In addition,the consensus calls for conducting nationwide multicenter prospective studies to improve the level of evidence and provide data support for the construction of a preliminary gastric cancer ultrasound screening system that is in line with China's national conditions.
Humans ; China ; Early Detection of Cancer/methods* ; Mass Screening ; Stomach/diagnostic imaging* ; Stomach Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging* ; Ultrasonography