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 AND OBJECTIVE

Midwives are critical for quality maternal and child healthcare, particularly in underserved rural areas. Despite their crucial role in challenging environments, understanding factors motivating them to work in such settings is limited. This study explores these underlying motivations among midwives in Aurora Province, Philippines, providing insights essential for developing effective strategies to support and retain this vital workforce.

METHODS

A descriptive, qualitative design using a semi-structured approach with a purposive sample of midwives was employed. Data collection was conducted from October to December 2024. Analysis of data utilized Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis alongside NVivo software for coding. Iterative process allowed for the refinement of themes ensuring a comprehensive understanding of midwives’ motivations.

RESULTS

Four main themes were identified: (a) motivations to midwifery practice, (b) career path decisions, (c) challenges in midwifery, (d) impact of work, and (e) professional growth and stability. Study revealed that midwives in underserved areas were deeply committed to their communities, facing significant challenges. Their dedication went beyond duty, stemming from personal experiences and a desire to reduce healthcare inequalities.

CONCLUSION

Midwives are driven by their steadfast dedication with compassion and resilience in providing maternal and child health services while confronting local challenges. Their experiences reflect a deep commitment to creating positive change in the lives of the families and communities they serve. Gaining insight into these motivations can help enhance support systems for midwives, enabling them to thrive in their roles and improve the well-being of underserved populations.

Human ; Workforce ; Residence Characteristics ; Community

BACKGROUND

The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has instigated a profound public health crisis, particularly affecting professionals like dentists who, due to their close interaction with saliva—a potential viral reservoir—and the aerosols generated during specific procedures, face elevated risks of infection. To mitigate this, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Philippine Dental Association (PDA) have established guidelines for averting cross-infection in dental settings.

OBJECTIVE

This study, conducted in an urbanized Metro Manila City, delves into the infection control practices of dentists amid the pandemic.

METHODS

Dentists from a Metro Manila city dental chapter were invited to participate in an online survey (Google Forms) consisting of participants' demographics, patient triage, engineering, administrative controls, disinfection personal hygiene, personal protective equipment (PPE), and waste management practices. Descriptive statistics, employing frequency distributions and percentages, summarized the dentists' adherence to infection control protocols.

RESULTS

Out of forty-nine respondents (49), the majority (92%) provided their teams' orientation on COVID-19 infection control protocols before reopening. Notably, 57% deferred elective procedures and 43% postponed aerosolgenerating procedures (AGPs). Only 39% utilized rubber dam isolation during AGPs. Most respondents reported full implementation of recommended administrative controls during the pandemic, with 92% isolating their treatment areas from other parts of the clinic. Most respondents adopted high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration units (82%) as one of their clinic’s engineering controls, and an extraoral vacuum machine, accounting for 71% of the respondents. The most common disinfection product used by the participants was alcohol, which was at 94%. Additionally, over 90% adhered to all recommended hand hygiene practices for both dental staff and patients. For the waste management protocols, only 55% of the respondents have their infectious waste collected by third-party Treatment Storage and Disposal (TSD) facilities.

CONCLUSION

The data shows that with the guidelines posted by both the PDA and CDC, the city’s dental practitioners could still provide services to the community in the safest manner at the time by being updated and following the infection control practices suggested by both organizations. Although some areas could have been improved, such as third-party waste management and the utilization of RT-PCR testing, some of these problems could have been attributed to the lack of availability in their areas.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Adult: 25-44 Yrs Old ; Middle Aged: 45-64 Yrs Old ; Aged: 65-79 Yrs Old ; World Health Organization ; Residence Characteristics ; Quarantine ; Public Health ; Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (u.s.) ; Covid-19 ; Centers For Disease Control And Prevention, U.s.

Methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) is an uncommon etiologic agent of hepatic abscess in children, particularly those without an underlying immunocompromised condition.

We describe a rare case of community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) hepatic abscess with rupture into the anterior abdominal wall in an otherwise healthy 3-year-old Filipino male, manifesting as a one-week history of an enlarging epigastric mass accompanied by abdominal pain and fever. He was treated noninvasively with ciprofloxacin (intravenous at 10 mg/kg every 12 hours for 14 days followed by oral at 15 mg/kg every 12 hours for 28 days), and clindamycin (intravenous at 10 mg/kg every 6 hours for 14 days followed by oral at 10 mg/kg every 6 hours for 28 days), resulting in the resolution of the hepatic abscess and its associated symptoms.

CA-MRSA hepatic abscess is extremely rare in immunocompetent children, and an appropriate diagnostic approach involving imaging and culture studies is crucial in its diagnosis and management.

Human ; Child Preschool: 2-5 Yrs Old ; Therapeutics ; Staphylococcus Aureus ; Staphylococcus ; Residence Characteristics ; Research Report ; Dihydrotachysterol

Effective discharge planning is crucial for ensuring safe transitions and sustained occupational participation as clients transition from professional care to their desired community settings. Despite its importance, current discharge practices in occupational therapy remain inconsistent, often relying on informal communication, variable team coordination, and unstructured decision-making. These gaps contribute to client–caregiver unpreparedness, fragmented services, and increased readmissions. This manuscript presents the Building Rehabilitation Into Discharge Goals and Engagement (BRIDGE) Framework, a client-centered, occupation-focused conceptual model designed to structure and support the discharge planning process in occupational therapy.

The BRIDGE framework was developed through an iterative process of literature review, theoretical grounding, and integration of clinical experience. It synthesizes principles from the Canadian Practice Process Framework, Person–Environment–Occupation frameworks, the Kawa Model, and Bioecological Systems Theory. The framework outlines six discharge planning steps, ranging from goal and timeline setting to follow-up and monitoring, supported by four foundational pillars: patient and family factors, occupational therapy factors, interdisciplinary team factors, and environmental or system influences. Together, these components provide a comprehensive guide for clinical reasoning, collaborative planning, caregiver preparation, and transitional support.

The framework clarifies the role of occupational therapy, enhances interprofessional coordination, and promotes consistent transition planning. Future work should include empirical testing, case-based application, and population-specific adaptations.

Human ; Patient Discharge ; Residence Characteristics ; Rehabilitation ; Communication ; Clinical Reasoning

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are medical conditions that are associated with long durations, slow progress, and lifetime medications. This study aimed to assess the household out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditures on NCDs in a 4th class municipality.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the characteristics of the households and household heads, healthcare needs, expenditures on medicines, health, and household, and alternative coping strategies to avail healthcare needs.

RESULTS

This study surveyed 200 households from all ten barangays of Ternate, Cavite. Top NCDs recorded include hypertension, diabetes, heart diseases, and asthma, while top NCDs medicines recorded were Losartan, Amlodipine, Metformin, and Glimepiride. Blood tests were the most needed medical laboratory service, while X-ray was the most needed diagnostic imaging service. Although more than half of the households have a member with only one NCD— the most prevalent being hypertensive disease, diabetes mellitus and other metabolic diseases—it is also common to have household members taking medicines for two to three NCDs.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the need to address issues with lack of access and availability of essential medicines for NCDs especially in the primary health care setting. This study provides evidence on the minimal financial risk protection provided for medicines with data suggesting that it is the primary cause of CHEs for NCDs. Households covered by the Primary Care Benefit Packages were excluded from the study, thus, the estimates derived from the sample may be an overestimate of the true prevalence of CHE in the municipality. Therefore, there is a need to have mechanisms in place to expand insurance coverage and increase government programs catering to certain population groups to reduce the financial burden of medicines for NCDs.

Human ; Noncommunicable Diseases ; Out-of-pocket Expenditures ; Health Expenditures ; Households ; Family Characteristics

BACKGROUND

This study explores the professional functions and experiences of male midwives in the Province of Aurora, highlighting their roles, challenges, and contributions to maternal and child healthcare in a traditionally female-dominated profession.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate the professional functions and lived experiences of male midwives in the Province of Aurora.

METHODS

This research employed a qualitative ethnographic design using semi-structured interviews to collect data. Participants were six male midwives practicing in Aurora. Data collection was conducted via mobile phone interviews from August to September 2024. A purposive sampling technique was utilized to select participants. The study adhered to ethical guidelines, receiving approval from the University of Northern Philippines Ethics Review Committee Code: 2024-251, and informed consent was obtained from all participants. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Qualitative inductive content analysis as described by Padgett was utilized to allow for data-driven analysis without pre-defined themes, making it suitable for exploring the diverse experiences of male midwives.

RESULTS

Analysis revealed six key themes: Diverse professional functions, gender bias and stereotyping, patient reluctance and shyness, cultural influences, experiences of discrimination and prejudice, and daily challenges and rewards in practice. The findings underscore the commitment of male midwives to providing quality care despite societal and professional barriers. Under the Functions theme, male midwives described their roles as not only caregivers but also as advocates for gender inclusivity in midwifery. In terms of experiences, some reported feelings of isolation and the need to prove their competence in a field dominated by women. However, they also shared empowering stories of camaraderie with female colleagues and the satisfaction derived from breaking down gender barriers.

CONCLUSION

Male midwives play a vital role in maternal and newborn healthcare, navigating challenges such as gender bias and patient hesitancy. Strengthening administrative support, promoting inclusivity, and updating policies can enhance their professional integration. Advocacy efforts from professional organizations are necessary to address workplace challenges and recognize their contributions to healthcare.

Human ; Male ; Midwifery ; Gender Bias ; Sexism ; Maternal Health ; Community ; Residence Characteristics

BACKGROUND

LGBTQ+ populations worldwide bear a disproportionate burden of health disparities aggravated by stigma and discrimination in healthcare. This struggle is worsened in the Philippines due to systemic barriers, outdated medical curricula, and the pervasive stigma in society, making it harder for LGBTQ+ individuals to access healthcare.

METHODOLOGY

A community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach using the photovoice method was used to describe and co-construct perspectives from LGBTQ+ individuals related to healthcare access in the Philippine healthcare system. The LGBTQ+ participants who resided in Metro Manila were asked to capture photographs representing their healthcare experiences. Focused group discussions (FGD) were then utilized as a platform for collective discussions and interpretations of these photos, enabling the participants to voice their stories and views about healthcare access.

RESULTS

The results are represented in seven photographs, symbolizing seven key themes that are illustrative of the importance of narrating LGBTQ+ stories in healthcare, solidarity among the community for better access, the urgent need for a call to make healthcare spaces inclusive, navigation through intersecting identities, interaction between healthcare professionals and LGBTQ+ individuals, the call for systemic change to be fitted to the needs of LGBTQ+ people, and diverse healthcare challenges among transgender people.

CONCLUSION

The findings point to the strong call for systemic reforms in the Philippine healthcare system to better support the needs of LGBTQ+ people. This study highly recommends that lived experiences should be included in health practices and policies as a basis for inclusivity and equity.

Human ; Residence Characteristics

Human ; Residence Characteristics ; Community

BACKGROUND

There is growing interest in gender differences in acute stroke worldwide. However, no known studies have been published on the differences in prognosis of hyperacute intracerebral hemorrhage between genders among Asians, particularly Filipinos.

OBJECTIVES

Compare gender differences in the prognosis of hyperacute intracerebral hemorrhage in terms of baseline demographic and radiologic profile, as well as, clinical outcomes.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study involving a chart review of all patients diagnosed with hyperacute Intracerebral Hemorrhage admitted at a tertiary hospital from January 2021 to May 2023. Patients were grouped according to their gender and baseline demographic, radiologic and clinical outcomes were assessed and compared between two groups.

RESULTS

No statistical difference was found between stroke risk factors between the two groups. However, males tend to have higher percentages of intraventricular extension (29.2 %. (n=28) vs 30.6% (n=11) and increased hematoma volume compared to their female counterparts (n=39, 83% vs n=11, 68%). In addition, males had a higher number of ICU admissions (42.7% (n= 41) vs. 33.3% (n= 12) and mortality (46.9%( n=45) vs. 30.6% (n=11), though the results were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

In patients with hyperacute intracerebral hemorrhage, gender does not influence on its radiologic and clinical outcome.

Human ; Stroke ; Gender Identity ; Gender Differences ; Sex Characteristics