BACKGROUND

Graduating student nurses are crucial to healthcare delivery, yet concerns about their clinical performance persist. They often face challenges translating theoretical knowledge into practice, leading to a theory-practice gap. Clinical competence is essential for ensuring safe and effective nursing care.

This study assessed the clinical competence of graduating student nurses in HEIs within Baguio City. It specifically evaluated their proficiency in professional behavior, general performance, core nursing competency, and advanced nursing skills. Additionally, it examined whether significant differences in clinical competence existed based on sex, area of duty, and accreditation status.

A descriptive-quantitative non-experimental research design was employed. The study surveyed 285 graduating student nurses from six HEIs in Baguio City, selected through fishbowl sampling. Data was collected using the Clinical Competence Questionnaire (CCQ), a 47-item questionnaire with an I-CVI rating of 1.0 and a Cronbach’s Alpha of 0.94. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Welch's T-test, One-way ANOVA, and Welch's ANOVA.

Students demonstrated high competence with the following means: 4.42 in nursing professional behaviors, 4.32 in general performance, 4.35 in core nursing skills, and 3.92 in advanced nursing skills. While the results were interpreted as high competence, specific advanced nursing skills require further enhancement. No significant differences (p-value < 0.05) in clinical competence were found concerning sex (0.38), duty area (0.92), or accreditation status (0.07).

Graduating student nurses show high competency upon entering level IV, emphasizing ongoing skill development for quality patient care. Both genders exhibit proficiency, indicating fair training and effective education regardless of duty area exposure and accreditation status.

BACKGROUND

Social Innovation in Health Initiative Philippines introduced the community engagement self-monitoring strategy in two community-managed social innovations in 2021. Phase 1 demonstrated the strategy's viability by identifying community “local monitors,” selecting indicators, monitoring, and conducting feedback sessions. In 2022, a second phase was implemented to improve the process by integrating capacity-building activities and praxis sessions, and gathering insights on the strategy’s sustainability.

In this paper, we sought to describe the stages of the CE-SM strategy applied within a Philippine local health system in geographically isolated and disadvantaged contexts. Specifically, we: 1) Identified the key competencies of the local CE-SM monitors; 2) facilitated capacity building to strengthen their skills and abilities; 3) explored sustainability mechanisms; and 4) identified integration points of the CE-SM in strengthening local health systems.

Two communities in a rural municipality implementing a social innovation called the “Seal of Health Governance'' were chosen for the expanded community engagement self-monitoring (CE-SM) pilot. Profiling of local monitors and self-assessment of competencies were facilitated. Capacity-building activities were conducted for community engagement, data processing, and data analysis, complemented by praxis sessions guided by people-centered principles.

Local monitors from both communities showed determination in performing their responsibilities but differed in their levels of participation. Their appreciation of their role increased as it broadened from merely collecting data to understanding and using it to advocate for their community’s needs. The minimum resources for communities to implement the strategy include financial mechanisms to ensure the availability of resources. Local monitors have improved their ability to analyze their communities' realities, particularly regarding health leadership and governance.

Community engagement self-monitoring is a feasible and sustainable strategy for monitoring and evaluating health interventions if adequate support is provided and complemented by capacity-building and praxis sessions. It promotes listening to the community and empowering them to participate in decision-making, which are vital in fostering ownership and sustainability of social innovations in health.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

A parachiasmal lesion is defined as a mass or growth arising from structures around or near the chiasm. Ophthalmologic signs and symptoms may be observed in such condition, such as blurring of vision, visual field defects, and binocular double vision. The primary objective of this study was to describe the presenting ophthalmologic signs and symptoms of parachiasmal lesions among patients consulting at a single institution in the Philippines.

This was a single-center, retrospective, cohort study. Medical records of patients with parachiasmal lesions seen in the Neuro-Ophthalmology clinic of a tertiary Philippine hospital from January 2014 to December 2019 were reviewed. Clinical profile, neuro-ophthalmologic presentation, diagnosis, management, and visual outcomes were summarized by descriptive statistics.

One hundred thirty-three (133) patient records satisfied the study criteria. Most common presenting symptoms were blurring of vision. headache, and loss of vision. Visual acuity at initial visit ranged from 20/20 to no light perception. A relative afferent pupillary defect was present in half of the study population. Almost half presented with normal-looking discs or disc pallor. Bitemporal hemianopia is the most common visual field defect pattern seen in both confrontation and automated visual field testing. Histopathology was significantly associated with visual outcome.

Parachiasmal lesion should be suspected in patients who complain of unilateral blurring of vision, and those who present with normal or pale optic discs. Pituitary adenoma is the most common radiologic and histopathologic diagnosis. Visual outcome after intervention has improved or remained stable in two-thirds of patients; visual recovery is multi-factorial, which is influenced by duration, surgery, and histopathology.

INTRODUCTION

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a leading global health concern. Modifiable behavioral risk factors are increasingly recognized in young adults, especially among medical students who often live independently. This study investigated the association between living alone and modifiable cardiovascular risk factors—sleep quality, sodium intake, physical activity, and body mass index (BMI)—among medical students at UERMMMCI during the 2022-2023 academic year.

Researchers conducted an analytical cross-sectional study among 220 medical students. Validated tools were used: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Scored Sodium Questionnaire, International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and BMI classification. Researchers performed statistical analyses using Chi-square tests and calculated relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence intervals.

A significant positive association was found between living alone and poor sleep quality (RR 2.132 p = 0.047). No significant associations were observed between living alone and sodium intake (RR 0.96 p = 0.6868), physical activity (RR 1.18 p = 0.2239), or BMI (RR 1.03 p = 0.7367).

Among the studied cardiovascular risk factors, only poor sleep quality was significantly more prevalent among students living alone. These findings highlight the importance of interventions targeting sleep hygiene in this demographic.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the refractive absolute error when axial length (AL), anterior chamber depth (ACD) and keratometry (K) are sourced from different measuring devices (IOL Master vs a combination of automated keratometer and A-scan) and inputted into the Barrett Universal II or SRK/T formula.

This was a retrospective study. Medical charts of eyes that underwent uncomplicated phacoemulsification with in-the-bag implantation of Envista or multifocal FineVision IOL were reviewed. The results of manifest refraction at 1 month after surgery were collected. The predicted refraction corresponding to the IOL power implanted was collected from 4 IOL sheets: using the SRK/T with AL, ACD, and K from IOL Master (Group A); SRK/T formula with AL and ACD from A-scan and K from the automated keratometer (Group B); Barrett formula with AL, ACD and K from IOL Master (Group C); and Barrett formula using with AL, ACD from A-scan and K from automated keratometer. For each group, the absolute error, prediction error, and variances of prediction error were computed.

A total of 132 eyes were included in the study: 56 in the monofocal group and 76 in the multifocal group. The means of manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE) were 0.06 ± 0.38 D and –0.08 ± 0.31 D in the monofocal and multifocal groups, respectively. When AL and K were obtained from various sources and entered into the Barrett formula, the mean absolute error difference in both the monofocal (p = 0.70) and multifocal (p = 0.10) groups did not reach statistical significance. If the SRK/T formula was used, similar outcomes were observed (monofocal p = 0.97; multifocal p = 0.37). When compared to A-scan groups, the prediction error variances are significantly smaller in the groups that used the IOL Master as their data source. Among the four groups, the Barrett group using IOL Master as the data source showed the lowest overall variation of prediction error (monofocal F = 0.04; multifocal F = 0.03).

Though the refractive outcomes may not be statistically different, using the IOL Master as the source of AL and K makes the refractive outcomes more consistent and predictable. Combining the AL and K from the IOL Master with the Barrett Universal II formula further increases the predictability of refractive outcomes.

We report a 39-year-old male who had generalized tonic-clonic seizure with loss of awareness. Investigations led to a diagnosis of a left temporal lobe tumor. He underwent resection of the mass with consequent loss of brain tissue in the temporal lobe and was found to have a complete right homonymous hemianopia in the immediate postoperative period. Macular ganglion cell analysis on optical coherence tomography (OCT) showed homonymous thinning affecting the inferonasal sector in the right eye and inferotemporal sector in the left eye. This case demonstrates transsynaptic retrograde degeneration through the interruption of the inferior optic radiation, and its corresponding effect on the structure and function of the affected retinal field. Temporal lobe lesions may cause not only a homonymous visual f ield defect contralateral to the side of the lesion but also result to homonymous sectoral thinning of the macular ganglion cell complexes in both eyes located ipsilateral to the side of the lesion.

Background/Aims: This study aims to investigate the association between Binge Eating Disorder and functional dyspepsia in a Mexican population, focusing on symptomatology and demographic characteristics. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on 1016 subjects, evaluating binge eating disorder (BED) and functional dyspepsia based on the Rome IV criteria. Data collection included sociodemographic information, gastrointestinal symptom severity, and anxiety/depression screening using validated tools. A multivariate logistic regression analysis with the 2 test was conducted for comparison analysis. Results: The prevalence of dyspepsia in BED was 53.6% (95% CI, 46-56). Postprandial fullness (OR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.06-2.17; P = 0.021) and overlap syndrome (OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.25-2.60; P = 0.002) were significantly associated with BED. Patients with BED also presented more severe postprandial distress syndrome (P = 0.027). Anxiety was prevalent in BED patients, while depression was more prominent in patients with BED and dyspepsia overlap. Conclusions BED patients have a high prevalence of dyspepsia with an association between postprandial fullness and this eating disorder. BED appears to be more prevalent in younger individuals and males. These findings underscore the importance of considering dyspepsia in the management of BED and highlight the need for further research on this association.

Background/Aims: This study aims to investigate the association between Binge Eating Disorder and functional dyspepsia in a Mexican population, focusing on symptomatology and demographic characteristics. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on 1016 subjects, evaluating binge eating disorder (BED) and functional dyspepsia based on the Rome IV criteria. Data collection included sociodemographic information, gastrointestinal symptom severity, and anxiety/depression screening using validated tools. A multivariate logistic regression analysis with the 2 test was conducted for comparison analysis. Results: The prevalence of dyspepsia in BED was 53.6% (95% CI, 46-56). Postprandial fullness (OR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.06-2.17; P = 0.021) and overlap syndrome (OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.25-2.60; P = 0.002) were significantly associated with BED. Patients with BED also presented more severe postprandial distress syndrome (P = 0.027). Anxiety was prevalent in BED patients, while depression was more prominent in patients with BED and dyspepsia overlap. Conclusions BED patients have a high prevalence of dyspepsia with an association between postprandial fullness and this eating disorder. BED appears to be more prevalent in younger individuals and males. These findings underscore the importance of considering dyspepsia in the management of BED and highlight the need for further research on this association.