In the Philippines, organ donation is regulated under the Organ Donation Act (RA7170) and promoted by the Department of Health through the Philippine Network for Organ Sharing (PHILNOS). The number of organ donors to meet the increasing demand in the country continues to lag. The emergency department (ED) was identified in several foreign studies to be a significant source of successful organ donation. This action research project investigated the attitude and perception of 125 ED healthcare workers (HCWs) from three hospitals in Metro Manila before and after an awareness event. The study reveals that ED nurses and doctors are generally supportive and hold positive perceptions and attitudes toward organ donation. Despite the positive attitude, HCWs seem to be uncomfortable or unwilling to perform tasks important to organ donation such as approaching relatives and management of the deceased organ donor. Future training on organ donation will increase the positive attitude, confidence and likelihood to participate in organ donation and transplant activities.
Tissue and Organ Procurement ; Emergency Service, Hospital

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the prevalence of low bone mass density (BMD) among premenopausal women with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, the factors associated with low BMD and the relationships between BMD in association to the duration of DM, the type of physical activity and calcium intake of the patient.METHODOLOGY: This prospective study involved 33 patients seen at the Fatima Medical Center - OPD on October 2004. Bone mass density was determined using the dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA scan). Relationship associations were computed using Chi square.RESULTS: Mean age was 49.55 yrs, mean weight 59.00 kg, mean height 1.56 m and mean duration of DM was 3.58 yrs. Only 27 percent of the subjects have low BMD. Majority (64 percent) have normal body mass index (BMI). As to the duration of DM, nine (27 percent) were newly diagnosed with less than one year duration, 45 percent had diabetes for 1-5 years. Most of the subjects (73 percent) are classified with moderate physical activity. As to their calcium intake, fifteen (45 percent) were not taking any calcium supplement, twelve (36 percent) in less than once a week calcium, and six (18 percent) more than once a week.CONCLUSION: There is minor prevalence (27 percent) of low BMD among the premenopausal type 2 diabetics. Factors associated with low bone mass density (age, BMI) had no significant association in this study. (Author)
Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Prospective Studies ; Absorptiometry, Photon