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.

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

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.

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.

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.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

One of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical education is an increased awareness and use of social media (SocMed) to facilitate learning. However, literature on the use of SocMed in medical education has focused primarily on educator-led teaching activities. Our study aimed to describe SocMed initiatives that were student-led, particularly for information dissemination and peer collaborative learning, and to elicit perceptions of medical students towards such activities.

An online survey on SocMed usage in medical education was sent to all first- and second-year medical students at the University of the Philippines Manila College of Medicine from October to December 2021. The questionnaire collected data on demographics, SocMed habits and preferences, and perceived advantages and disadvantages of SocMed. Descriptive statistics were calculated while the free-text responses were grouped into prominent themes and summarized.

We received a total of 258 responses (71%) out of 361 eligible participants. Overall, 74% found SocMed platforms to be very and extremely helpful; 88% recommended its continued use. The most popular SocMed platforms for different tasks were as follows: Discord for independent study groups and for conducting peer tutoring sessions; Facebook Messenger for reading reminders; Telegram for reading announcements related to academics and administrative requirements, and for accessing material provided by classmates and professors.

The high uptake of SocMed among medical students may be attributed to its accessibility and costefficiency. The use of a particular SocMed platform was dependent on the students’ needs and the platform's features. Students tended to use multiple SocMed platforms that complemented one another. SocMed also had disadvantages, such as the potential to distract from academic work and to become a source of fatigue. Educators must engage with students to understand how SocMed platforms can be integrated into medical education, whether in the physical or virtual learning environment.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Stigma remains a profound barrier to public health, particularly in managing diseases such as Hepatitis B, which is highly prevalent in hyperendemic regions like the Philippines. The social stigma associated with such health conditions can severely limit access to care and hinder adherence to treatment, exacerbating the overall disease burden. Despite the critical impact of stigma on health outcomes, there is a notable gap in the systematic evaluation of the tools used to measure stigma related to health conditions like Hepatitis B. This study aims to fill this gap by reviewing existing instruments for their methodologies, reliability, and validity to inform the development of a refined tool tailored to the Philippine context.

A systematic search was conducted across six databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Open Grey, DissOnline, Philippine Health Research Registry (PHRR), and Health Research and Development Information Network (HERDIN), following PRISMA guidelines. The search strategy focused on identifying quantitative and mixed-methods studies using questionnaires to measure HBV-related stigma and discrimination. Studies published between January 1, 1992, and December 31, 2023, were considered. The selection process involved screening for duplicates, reviewing titles and abstracts, and performing a full-text review based on predetermined eligibility criteria.

The initial search yielded 1,198 articles, with 24 duplicates removed. After title and abstract screening, 28 articles were considered for full-text review, resulting in 17 relevant articles in the final analysis with 15 unique instrumentations. The majority of studies employed cross-sectional designs (n=8), with a significant concentration in Asian countries (n=11), indicating a regional focus in HBV stigma research. The review identified a range of questionnaire methodologies, but most studies lacked specificity regarding the type of stigma measured. The Likert Scale was the most commonly used measurement tool, yet few studies provided cut-off values for stigma levels. Validity and reliability testing was reported in 12 articles, including pilot studies, Cronbach’s alpha, and factor analysis.

The lack of a universal methodology and specificity in existing instruments underscores the importance of developing a refined tool that can accurately capture the nuances of stigma and discrimination associated with HBV. The urgent need for standardized, reliable, and culturally sensitive questionnaires is evident, underscoring their importance in developing effective public health strategies and improving treatment outcomes for individuals living with HBV, especially in the Philippines.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

In this study, we investigated how empathic neural responses unfold over time in different empathy networks when viewing same-race and other-race individuals in dynamic painful conditions. We recorded magnetoencephalography signals from Chinese adults when viewing video clips showing a dynamic painful (or non-painful) stimulation to Asian and White models' faces to trigger painful (or neutral) expressions. We found that perceived dynamic pain in Asian models modulated neural activities in the visual cortex at 100 ms-200 ms, in the orbitofrontal and subgenual anterior cingulate cortices at 150 ms-200 ms, in the anterior cingulate cortex around 250 ms-350 ms, and in the temporoparietal junction and middle temporal gyrus around 600 ms after video onset. Perceived dynamic pain in White models modulated activities in the visual, anterior cingulate, and primary sensory cortices after 500 ms. Our findings unraveled earlier dynamic activities in multiple neural circuits in response to same-race (vs other-race) individuals in dynamic painful situations.
Adult ; Humans ; Brain Mapping ; Pain ; Empathy ; Racism ; Gyrus Cinguli/physiology* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Brain/physiology*

OBJECTIVE

To determine the perceptions of persons with tuberculosis (TB) and health workers on Care TB – a mobile application for the community-led monitoring (CLM) of TB services.

We used a qualitative research method. Six people with tuberculosis and ten health workers were chosen through purposive sampling for semi-structured interviews. The narrative data produced from the interviews were subjected to qualitative content analysis in order to uncover salient themes and patterns.

The community-led monitoring mobile application was shown to be acceptable both to TB healthcare providers and patients. It enhances information access and streamlines the process of reporting care barriers. The application also allows persons with TB to interact with one another, potentially eliminating stigma and discrimination. Potential challenges to implementing the CLM program include issues with internet connectivity, costs, and human resources.

This study provides preliminary evidence of the acceptability and perceived feasibility of a mobile application for the community-led monitoring of TB services. For the CLM initiative to be scaled up across the country, more financial and technical support is required.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) in Marawi City regarding Hansen’s Disease (HD).

A cross-sectional study was conducted among the Barangay Health Workers of Marawi City. This study was conducted in two phases. Phase 1 was questionnaire development where the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) questionnaire was formulated and administered to six Barangay Health Workers for pre-testing. Phase 2 of the study included the survey and focus group discussion (FGD). A questionnaire comprising of 27 questions was administered to BHWs to assess knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding HD.

A total of 49 BHWs underwent the Phase 2 survey and six BHWs joined the FGD. The mean age of all the survey participants was 34.9 ± 19.3 years. Among the 49 participants, 40 (81.6%) were females. The knowledge of BHWs was found to be adequate only in six (12%) BHWs. Positive attitude was observed in 12 (24.5%) and adequate practices regarding HD were observed in 33 (67.3%) BHWs. First-hand experience of diagnosing HD patients was significantly associated with adequate knowledge (p < 0.001) and positive attitude of BHWs (p < 0.001). There was a significant association between > 5 years of experience as BHWs (p = 0.027) and first-hand experience in diagnosing leprosy (p = 0.005) with adequate practices of BHWs regarding HD. In the FGD, BHWs expressed their lack of training which highlighted the need for refresher courses on HD.

Knowledge about HD is low among Marawi BHWs due to their inadequate training. The attitudes and practices of BHWs are also affected because of deficient knowledge regarding etiology and transmission of HD. There is a need for adequate training and refresher courses on HD to increase the knowledge of BHWs regarding HD.

Unrecognized gender issues in TB prevention and management in the community and the resulting lack of mechanisms to address these poses as barrier in the success of TB control. Results from two projects on gender responsiveness in TB prevention and management in the community conducted in 2020-2023 contributed to the development of a checklist that can be used as guide to make TB control measures gender-responsive. The checklist used the basic elements of a public health program as framework. This was enhanced by measures to address gender issues which surfaced from KAPcommunity surveys on TB and Gender, in-depth interviews of TB program implementers, and FGDs with women and men who had lived with TB, including their families.
Public Health ; Sexism

Glass ceiling is the unseen barrier that prohibits women and minorities in achieving a higher potential in the workplace. This barrier influences the well-being and prosperity of women and minorities resulting to career stagnation and inability to earn a higher income. Despite the abundance of literature on the issue, there is a dearth of comprehensive information that examines the organizational, cultural, and individual factors that contribute to the glass ceiling phenomenon in the healthcare industry. The main goal of this study is to do a full scoping review to find and map all the existing healthcare settings that contribute to the glass ceiling effect. A total of 28,184 hits resulted in the search of the published and grey literature. Nine articles passed the full-text review and were further reviewed. Data were synthesized and interpreted to determine the experiences of nurses about the glass ceiling phenomenon. Findings: Gender discrimination, bias, and stereotyping prevent nurses from learning executive summary skills, maintain the gender wage gap, and lead to unequal treatment of women and men in the health workforce; structural and systemic barriers within healthcare organizations can restrict their access to these higher-level positions; underrepresentation of women in leadership roles leads to lack of mentors; and lack of work-life balance due to limited flexible work arrangements.
Sexism ; Gender Equity ; Nurses

The shift to remote learning during the pandemic highlighted the importance of self-regulated learning (SRL). Education scholars posit that SRL promotes positive remote learning experiences in various student populations. Students cannot be expected to be self-regulated learners in a remote setup by exposing themselves to online courses alone. Thus, the Department of Occupational Therapy of the University of the Philippines Manila College of Allied Medical Professions created a webinar based on the constructs of SRL to aid students in transitioning to this setup. The webinar was organized for students to understand the concept of SRL and to identify SRL strategies they can use. Faculty shared practical tips, personal experiences, and contextualized examples on how students can use these strategies to thrive in the remote setup. Given the positive feedback, there is value found in similar activities to utilizing SRL dimensions to prepare students for remote learning. Recommendations for future studies about SRL are stated.
Self-Control ; Education, Distance