Cardiovascular diseases and psychological disorders represent two major threats to human physical and mental health. Research on electrocardiogram (ECG) signals offers valuable opportunities to address these issues. However, existing methods are constrained by limitations in understanding ECG features and transferring knowledge across tasks. To address these challenges, this study developed a multi-resolution feature encoding network based on residual networks, which effectively extracted local morphological features and global rhythm features of ECG signals, thereby enhancing feature representation. Furthermore, a model compression-based continual learning method was proposed, enabling the structured transfer of knowledge from simpler tasks to more complex ones, resulting in improved performance in downstream tasks. The multi-resolution learning model demonstrated superior or comparable performance to state-of-the-art algorithms across five datasets, including tasks such as ECG QRS complex detection, arrhythmia classification, and emotion classification. The continual learning method achieved significant improvements over conventional training approaches in cross-domain, cross-task, and incremental data scenarios. These results highlight the potential of the proposed method for effective cross-task knowledge transfer in ECG analysis and offer a new perspective for multi-task learning using ECG signals.
Humans ; Electrocardiography/methods* ; Mental Health ; Algorithms ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Machine Learning ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac/diagnosis* ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Neural Networks, Computer ; Mental Disorders

BACKGROUND/INTRODUCTION

Depression affects millions worldwide and is a major public health concern. Its prevalence is influenced by multiple factors, including sociodemographic elements such as age, gender, and income. In the Philippines, depression affects a significant portion of the population, particularly in rural areas. The Region 2 Trauma Medical Center (R2TMC) in Nueva Vizcaya plays a critical role in addressing mental health issues in the Cagayan Valley Region, with a notable rise in depression cases during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to explore the correlation between sociodemographic factors and depression in patients at R2TMC.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the relationship between depression and various sociodemographic factors (age, sex, marital status, income, education, etc.) among patients seeking mental health services at R2TMC. The goal is to identify the prevalence of depression within these subgroups and evaluate how sociodemographic characteristics correlate with depression.

METHODS

A retrospective correlational study was conducted from June 2022 to June 2024, analyzing patient records from R2TMC’s Mental Health Outpatient Department. The sample included patients diagnosed with depression based on DSM-V criteria. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression were employed to analyze the data, with ethical approval obtained from the Institutional Review Board. There were 432 participants and data were analyzed using IBM SPSS.

RESULTS

Findings showed varying depression prevalence across sociodemographic categories. The 19-59 age group exhibited the highest depression rates, particularly among females, single individuals, and those in lower-income classes. Unemployed respondents and those with lower educational attainment had higher depression prevalence. These patterns highlight the need for targeted mental health interventions.

CONCLUSION/RECOMMENDATION

The study suggests that depression interventions should be tailored to address the unique vulnerabilities of different sociodemographic groups. Policymakers and healthcare providers should consider these factors to improve mental health care accessibility and effectiveness.

Human ; Depression ; Sociodemographic Factors ; Mental Health

OBJECTIVES

This study described the demographic and clinical profile, mental health problems, prevalence of psychiatric conditions, psychosocial interventions used, and outcomes of the management of mental health problems among in-patients admitted to non-psychiatry units of tertiary hospitals referred to mental health care providers; and described gender-disaggregated data related to mental health care providers and patients receiving psychosocial interventions in tertiary hospitals.

METHODS

This study employed a mixed-method design, using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies following the convergence model of triangulation. The following were the data sources: (1) cross-sectional review of charts of patients referred for psychosocial problems using the ICD-10 classification; (2) a survey of mental health service providers; (3) key informant interviews of mental health service providers; and (4) focus group discussions of mental health providers. All data were collated, compared, and contrasted, then analyzed using the convergence model of triangulation design.

RESULTS

Among the 3,502 patients in the chart review, 1,870 (53.40%) were males. The median age was 46.08 years and 92.06% were adults. The most common diagnosis among the patients were mood disorder (744, 21.25%) and organic mental disorder (710, 20.27%). Combination treatment of psychosocial intervention and pharmacology was the most common strategy received by patients. There was a higher proportion of patients admitted to public hospitals (996, 45.27%) who received psychosocial interventions only compared to those admitted to private hospitals (235, 18.05%). There were 3,453 out of 3,502 in-patients referred for psychiatric intervention. Of these 2,420 (70%) received psychoeducation, 2,365 (68.5%), received supportive psychotherapy/counseling, 535 (15.5%) family therapy, and 286 (8.3%) behavior modification. There were more patients given psychosocial interventions 2,541 (72.56%) who were discharged with instruction to follow-up, while around one in 10 (456, 13.02%) was not instructed to do a follow-up consultation. The types of interventions across all data sources were similar.

CONCLUSION

The most common type of management for psychosocial problems of in-patients in tertiary hospitals was a combination of psychosocial intervention and pharmacotherapy. Psychoeducation, supportive psychotherapy/ counseling, and family therapy were the most often given psychosocial interventions. The patient-related reasons for the choice of interventions were patient’s medical status (diagnosis and severity of symptoms) and psychological status (psychological mindedness), while the provider-related factors influencing the choice of intervention were provider’s skills and personal preference. Moreover, resources (human and material) and service provision policies (treatment guidelines and aftercare interventions) were the most common hospital-related factors. Further prospective research to determine the associated patients, providers, and hospital factors in larger geographic and cultural settings will provide evidence for the effectiveness and outcomes of psychosocial interventions.

Human ; Counseling ; Psychotherapy ; Family Therapy ; Mental Health

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on university students, categorically focusing on effective coping strategies adopted.

METHODS

The researcher used a descriptive cross-sectional design and a pseudo-random number sampling method with an inversion technique to randomly select 548 health science students who participated fully out of the sum of 4,140 students from each department. The initial goal was to include 572 students in the sample. This ensured a fair representation of students from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). The researcher evaluated these students using the COVID-19 Student Stress Questionnaire and Brief-Cope Scales.

RESULTS

Findings showed that 58.8% of the respondents were females, 34.7% were enrolled in the nursing program, and 59.7% chose to live with their parents. Most of the students experienced moderate stress, with 45.25% and 5.47% experiencing extremely stressful or distressing situations, in terms of relationships and academic life, respectively. There were no significant differences in fear of contagion, regardless of the students' gender. and social isolation between students who lived with and without their parents. In terms of relationships and academic life among the students, there was no significant difference in relation to the demographic characteristics. Results also showed that 26.6% of the students used problem-focused coping “a little bit," and there was no significant difference as to their developmental characteristics for those using problem-focused coping, emotion-focused coping, or avoidant coping. However, the results indicated a greater tendency towards avoidant coping strategies, with no significant differences observed. Students disproportionately adopted problem-focused, emotion-focused, and avoidant coping strategies. Students reported a weakly significant positive correlation between emotionfocused coping and problem-focused coping, and a large negative association between fear of contagion and problem-focused coping strategies. They also reported a slightly positive correlation between relationships, academic life, and social isolation.

CONCLUSION

The study revealed that most students experience moderate stress, which gradually escalates into extremely stressful situations, particularly in relationships and academics. The researcher found no significant differences in fear of contagion or social isolation. However, avoidant coping was more prevalent compared to problem-focused and emotion-focused strategies. There were weak positive correlations between emotion-focused and problem-focused coping. Policy reform in the health and academic systems will strategically improve students' mental health.

Human ; Covid-19 ; Covid-19 Pandemic ; Mental Health

BACKGROUND

The clinical learning environment (CLE) significantly influenced the nursing students' learning experience. While clinical learning is the heart of nursing education, certain non-academic factors might be influenced by CLE. Consequently, CLE may be affected during a health crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the relationship between nursing students’ CLE and their academic grit, self-esteem, and caring behaviors in the Central Philippines.

METHODS

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted involving 462 nursing students enrolled during the COVID-19 pandemic. A purposive sampling technique was used to select the participants. Four self-report questionnaires were adopted to gather the data: a 42-item Clinical Learning Environment Inventory (CLEI) scale, short-form Grit (Grit-S) scale, Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem (RSE) scale, and Caring Behavior Inventory (CBI-24) scale. Spearman rho and rank-biserial correlation tools were used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

The results indicated that the clinical learning environment was positively associated with academic grit, selfesteem, and caring behavior. Some profiles of the participants, such as age, sex, year level, type of school, leadership experiences, clinical setting experience, and willingness to be a nurse, were significantly associated with the clinical learning environment, academic grit, self-esteem, and/or caring behavior.

CONCLUSIONS

Students’ CLE influences their academic grit, self-esteem, and caring behavior. That is, students who reported a more positive perception of CLE, the higher their academic grit, self-esteem, and caring behaviors. Furthermore, some students’ profile characteristics influence CLE, academic grit, self-esteem, and caring behavior. Enhancing CLE while promoting grit, self-esteem, and caring behaviors of nursing students affiliated with hospitals or any clinical learning settings and promoting alternative means of meeting CLE competencies when face-to-face interactions are restricted during a health crisis are recommended.

Human ; Clinical Practicum ; Preceptorship ; Mental Health ; Education, Nursing

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Climate anxiety is an emerging concept defined as increased anxiety about climate change and has been linked to negative mental health outcomes. As a relatively new concept, only a few have characterized it and its relationship with mental health, especially in the Global South populations. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between climate anxiety and depressive symptoms among undergraduate students from a college in a higher education institution in Manila, Philippines. Specifically, it aimed to (1) determine the proportion of undergraduate students who reported high levels of climate anxiety and depressive symptoms; and (2) determine the association between climate anxiety and depressive symptoms.

METHODS

Using a cross-sectional design and a convenience sampling method, the investigators collected data through an online survey to assess levels of climate anxiety and depressive symptoms using the Climate Change Anxiety Scale (CCAS) and the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), respectively. Data was analyzed using multiple logistic regression.

RESULTS

Among the 148 respondents (N=325), 14.86% had high climate anxiety (i.e., CCAS score >= 3) and 62.84% had high depressive symptoms (i.e., PHQ-9 score >= 10). Regression analysis showed that the odds of those having high climate anxiety reporting high depressive symptoms are higher than those with low climate anxiety, though this is not significant (OR = 2.53, p=0.144).

CONCLUSION

The study verifies the existence of climate anxiety among undergraduate students and reflects an alarming mental health situation in the selected college. It is recommended that wide-scope investigations on the current state of climate anxiety and mental health among the youth be done to verify their impacts, along with inter-sectoral efforts such as increasing awareness through health education interventions to improve the youths’ mental health literacy and resilience to the effects of climate change, and promoting climate change-responsive mental health services to address these as pressing threats to youth health.

Human ; Climate Anxiety ; Depressive Symptoms ; Depression ; Mental Health

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Ensuring the total well-being of healthcare workers (HCWs), including their mental health and psychological well-being, is an essential aspect in the delivery of patient care and the preservation of the health workforce. This study aimed to determine the level of mental well-being and emotional state of HCWs in terms of depression, anxiety, and stress using the DASS-21 scale in a tertiary government hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines and to identify the job-related factors that may be associated with these outcomes.

METHODS

This is an analytical, cross-sectional study among HCWs involved in direct patient care in a tertiary government hospital in the Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data collection was conducted from February to March 2022 through an online self-administered questionnaire, which included the Demand-Control-Support Questionnaire (DCSQ), and the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). This was sent to doctors, nurses, and allied medical workers actively working in the clinical areas. All responses were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

Three hundred sixty-four healthcare workers were included in the study. Majority were single (62.62%), living with immediate family (50.82%), and working in a COVID-designated area (62.09%). High prevalence of depression (49.18%), anxiety (61.54%), and stress (30.22%) was found among the HCWs. Work in high infection/COVID-designated areas was significantly associated with anxiety and stress, and high-job demand was significantly associated with all three mental health states compared to low job-demand.

CONCLUSION

Focus should be placed on modifying the condition of high job demand among healthcare workers working in hospitals. This includes ensuring optimum staffing levels and patient to HCW ratio which avoids HCWs from being subjected to high workloads and time pressures that subsequently increase risk for stress, anxiety, and depression.

Mental Health ; Depression ; Anxiety ; Health Personnel ; Covid-19

OBJECTIVE

The competence of health workers to attend to vulnerable and marginalized populations is critical to health equity. The study determines the competence of physicians in providing health care to LGBT adolescents in a national tertiary hospital.

METHODOLOGY

All physicians from the departments of Pediatrics and Family and Community Medicine were recruited. An electronic form collected demographic data and responses to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Development of Clinical Skills Scale (LGBTDOCSS).Theresponsesweresummarizedandanalyzed.

RESULTS

Most respondents are male, with a mean age of 34.21 years. They are mainly staff of the Department of Pediatrics and post- residency fellows. Not all recall their participation in gender sensitivity training. They report scores towards the higher end of the scale: an overall score of 5.27 and mean subscale scores of 4.43 for clinical preparedness, 6.13 for attitudinal awareness, and 5.24 for basic knowledge. The heterogeneity and pertinacity of their experiences with LGBT individuals mediate their attitudinal awareness. Attaining the level of consultant suggests a better understanding of barriers and disparities against LGBT individuals. The tool has good internal reliability.

CONCLUSION

The demographic profile of the respondents suggests their involvement in healthcare, continuing education, and staff development. They report adequate competence in providing health care to LGBT adolescents.

Human ; Adolescent ; Competence ; Mental Competency ; Healthcare ; Delivery Of Health Care

BACKGROUND

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global public health issue with profound physical, psychological, and social consequences. Despite legislative measures in the Philippines, there is limited research on the profile of IPV survivors consulting specialized healthcare units.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to describe the profile of female survivors of IPV consulting at the Philippine General Hospital Women’s Desk (PGH-WD), focusing on sociodemographic, psychological, relationship, community, and partner factors as contributors to their risk of experiencing IPV.

METHODOLOGY

A cross-sectional study was conducted to analyze data from IPV survivors who consulted the PGH-WD between January 2022 and December 2023. Data collection involved a chart review of eligible cases, guided by predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Inclusion criteria required that participants be female survivors of IPV aged 19 years and above, with consultations specifically related to IPV. Exclusion criteria included male survivors, non-Filipino nationals, individuals not residing in the Philippines, and charts missing key components. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze sociodemographic, psychological, relationship, community, and partner-related factors. Survivors were categorized into low-, moderate-, or high-risk groups based on the number of identified risk factors.

RESULTS

A total of 518 charts were reviewed, of which 106 met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Survivors’ ages ranged from 19 to 74 years, with 46 (43.4%) aged 19–34. Most survivors belonged to lower socioeconomic strata, with 61 (57.5%) categorized as poor. Psychological distress was common, with 24 (22.6%) reporting depression and 22 (20.8%) having attempted suicide. Relationship factors included dissatisfaction in 91 cases (85.9%) and prior abuse by partners in 88 (83.0%). Community factors showed that 104 survivors (98.1%) were aware of the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children (Anti-VAWC) law, and 101 (95.5%) reported having social support networks. Partner-related factors were less frequently reported, with 3 survivors (2.8%) indicating perpetrator substance use and 2 (1.9%) reporting histories of childhood abuse. Risk profiling categorized survivors into low-risk (39/106, 36.8%), moderate-risk (39/106, 36.8%), and high-risk (28/106, 26.4%) groups based on the number of identified risk factors.

CONCLUSION

This study provided a detailed profile of female IPV survivors consulting at the PGH-WD. Survivors were predominantly younger women from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, with high rates of psychological distress, relationship dissatisfaction, and histories of prior partner abuse. Community factors, including strong social support networks and awareness of the Anti-VAWC law, were identified as potential protective mechanisms post-IPV.

Human ; Female ; Intimate Partner Violence ; Mental Health ; Gender-based Violence

BACKGROUND

In response to the need to provide for mental health services to address gender-related concerns in a higher education institute, the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila Center for Gender and Women Studies (CGWS) commissioned a project to formulate a framework for the increasing volume of referrals.

METHODOLOGY

A mixed methods study was done in order to gather data to create a responsive and practical mental health care service provision framework with and for service providers and service users in the university. An online survey (N=135), focus group discussion, key informant interviews, and a round table discussion were conducted, with constituents of the university recruited through purposive sampling.

RESULTS

A stepped-care model was proposed, consisting of: 1. Preventive Well-Being Resources, 2. Supportive Well-Being Interventions and Initial Screening Resources, 3. Structured Interventions, and 4. Interventions for Severe Mental Health Problems.

CONCLUSION

The framework formulated in collaboration with service providers and service users in the university addresses the goals of optimizing existing resources and enhancing service provision. Implementation and evaluation of this framework, as well as further information regarding the target population and their use of this model, are proposed avenues for further research.

Human ; Gender ; Gender Identity ; Sexual Harassment ; Mental Health ; Mental Health Services ; Lgbtq ; Sexual And Gender Minorities ; Psychiatry ; Psychology