OBJECTIVES

The challenges faced by patients with diabetes in rural Philippine communities highlight
the need to look into how we can improve ways of communicating health education and self-management strategies. Patient education materials play a vital role in promoting regimen adherence, yet their acceptability and effectiveness in resource-limited settings remain insufficiently investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to explore participants’ experiences with and perceptions of a community-based diabetes learning module through qualitative inquiry.

METHODS

Using purposive sampling, 13 participants who successfully completed the Blood Sugar Bantayan, Diabetes Malikayan pilot health program from January to July 2022 in a rural community in southern Philippines consented to engage in in-depth interviews. A semi-structured topic guide was developed, validated by experts, and pretested.
Interviews were conducted in the local language, audio-recorded, transcribed, translated, and analyzed using Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic approach.

RESULTS

Five major themes emerged from the analysis: initial perceptions of the module, aspects of the module found useful, perceived impact on regimen adherence, hindrances to adherence, and overall feedback with likelihood of recommendation. Participants valued the module’s visual appeal, use of local language, and comprehensive coverage of diabetes management. The module served as a guide that enabled participants to gain better control over their condition through improved self-discipline and health practices, often motivated by family support. However, challenges including time constraints, resource limitations, and competing priorities affected consistent implementation of recommended practices. Despite these barriers, participants expressed strong satisfaction with the module and willingness to share it with others, though sharing decisions were often based on perceived relevance to others’ health status.

CONCLUSION

Community-based learning modules can serve as valuable educational tools for diabetes care in rural Filipino communities. Findings underpin the importance of developing culturally appropriate and responsive campaigns for diabetes education in remote
environments, but multi-modal strategies that cut across sectors are still imperative to address persisting structural factors that pervade health program efforts.

Resource-limited Settings ; Residence Characteristics ; Play And Playthings ; Personal Satisfaction ; Family Support ; Self-management

The surgical treatment of the rare extracranial carotid artery aneurysm can lead to significant thromboembolic events in 4.4% of cases. Intraoperative monitoring has helped detect hypoperfusion and probable ischemic events, but this is not widely available in resource-limited hospitals in the Philippines. This case highlights the use of a portable standard 21-channel EEG machine for intraoperative monitoring in a tertiary government hospital. In addition, it highlights a conception of a protocol for the intraoperative electroencephalogram monitoring of carotid endoaneurysmorrhaphy procedures in a resource-limited setting. During the aneurysmorrhaphy procedure, the authors collaborated with the surgeons and the anesthesiologists to provide feedback about EEG changes during the operation. After a pre-induction baseline was recorded, continuous EEG monitoring was performed until the patient emerged from anesthesia. Mild EEG changes, attributed to relative hypotension, were observed during the procedure. These episodes were responsive to BP augmentation. There were no EEG changes observed during carotid cross-clamping. Shunting was not recommended to the surgical team. No new neurologic deficits were documented postoperatively and on follow-up after six months. This paper illustrates how an intraoperative team was formed, and intraoperative EEG was utilized for a complex carotid endoaneurysmorrhaphy for a patient with ECAA in a tertiary government hospital in the Philippines.

Human ; Resource-limited Settings ; Carotid Arteries ; Philippines