INTRODUCTION

The social determinants of health refer to an individual's social, political, and economic situation and environment, which can have an impact on their health. On the other hand, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) reflect the mortalities and morbidities incurred due to disease and injury.

This study aims to analyze the social determinants of health indicators and their association with communicable, non-communicable, and injury-related DALYs and deaths.

Data from World Health Organization, World Bank, and International Labor Organization were used and considered for the 17 Social Determinants of Health categories. Logistic regression was used to determine the relationship of social determinants of health indicators with communicable, non-communicable, and injury-related DALYs and deaths.

Results show that an increase in the population, monetary poverty, adult illiteracy, and fine particulate matter increase IPNN DALYs. This study also found correlations of socioeconomic factors to NCD deaths and DALYs attributable to the environment. NCD DALYs and deaths are found to increase with the number of poor living with 3.10 dollars a day, while median daily per capita income, and increase in persons above retiring age receiving pension decrease NCD DALYs attributable to the environment. Focusing on injury DALYs and deaths, an increase in the number of poor living at 3.10 dollars a day, non-agricultural informal employment, and total average concentration of f ine particulate matter increases injury DALYs while the latter is observed to decrease when there is an increase in the medial daily per capita income, agricultural employment outside the formal sector, and vulnerable persons covered by social assistance.

Socio-economic factors such as income, employment, education, and social welfare program affect morbidity, disability, and mortality.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Humans need constant interaction for a better well-being. It is advisable to actively participate socially to acquire psychological support and elicit satisfaction. In fact, social participation is a key driver of life satisfaction among the elderly. This study aims to describe social participation and life satisfaction among employees of a premier university in Manila, Philippines and infer their relationship through activity theory.

Seventy-one participants ages fifty years and older as of June 30, 2020 representing various employee categories participated in the online survey: a) faculty; b) research extension and professional staff; and c) administrative staff. Ten key informant interviews (KIIs) were likewise conducted to determine their opinions and perceptions on social participation in campus.

Social media usage and “malling” ranked the highest, contributing to 76% and 48% of the activities for indoor and outdoor activities, respectively. In terms of membership, professional organizations comprised 69%. On the other hand, 68% of organization members were elected officers. The relationship between social participation and life satisfaction were observable as indicated by the high rate of social participation and low percentage of participants who reported life dissatisfaction (4%).

High levels of social participation in terms of indoor and outdoor activities; membership including activeness in organizations; as well as positions held in organizations may indicate high levels of life satisfaction. Further research on a large sample size may explore statistical analysis on the longitudinal effects of social participation and life satisfaction.

Generally, this study explores the transformation of body image among former collegiate athletes in Metro Manila. Through qualitative hermeneutic phenomenology, the study found out diverse experiences of former female athletes with their body image. A salient theme that was elicited from the study was how changes in daily routines significantly impacted their perceptions. External factors like comments from family, peers, and society also played a major role. The cultural norms of both athletics and Philippine society influenced how these women internalized their body image. Many still associate ideal bodies with athletic terms like "muscular" or "visible abs." Coping mechanisms varied, but most leaned towards positive strategies like seeking support to counter the negative influences.

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

Acne vulgaris is one of the common skin diseases prompting dermatologic consult. Although prevalent worldwide, knowledge of the public about acne is still lacking. Due to this, content related to acne vulgaris has been a topic of choice on social media platforms.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 120 patients diagnosed with acne vulgaris aged 18-50 years-old consulting via teledermatology and face-to-face consultation at the Rizal Medical Center. Patients completed a self-administered questionnaire and global acne severity was assessed.

A total of 120 newly d iagnosed patients with acne vulgaris were included in the study, with a mean age of 23.25 years, with a female predominance, household average monthly income less than PhP 10,957 and with mild to moderate acne severity. Majority of the participants used social media to look for treatment options and to gain more knowledge about the disease. The most used platforms were Youtube, Facebook and Tiktok. Short videos were viewed more often and content from dermatologists were preferred. Most commonly tried products are over-the-counted non-pharmaceutical topical products. There was a significant association between the use of social media with age and educational attainment. Furthermore, a significant association between self-medication practices and average household monthly income was seen. No association was seen between acne severity, social media use and self-medication practices.

In summary, the use of social media to access acne-related content was prevalent among young female patients, of lower socioeconomic status diagnosed with mild-moderate acne severity at a tertiary hospital in the Philippines.

OBJECTIVES

This study investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on social service accessibility for persons with disabilities in the Philippines, with a focus on disability related opportunity costs and out-of-pocket expenses.

A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining both qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques. Focus group discussions (FGDs) and interviews were conducted to gather qualitative insights, while quantitative analysis, utilizing one-sample t-tests, was used to assess the impact of the pandemic on key areas such as income, access to essential goods, employment, healthcare, mental health, and social support.

Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 141 participants. Qualitative insights highlighted that 89% of participants reported negative effects on daily living conditions due to rising costs and limited access to necessities. Parents of children with disabilities indicated that early childhood care and development services were adversely affected by school closures, and transitioning to online learning posed significant barriers, with 62% lacking access to training and resources. While many participants had access to healthcare, lockdowns exacerbated disability-related opportunity costs, complicating access to routine care. Quantitative data findings were analyzed through one-sample t-tests to assess the impact of COVID-19 on various aspects of daily life, including income, access to essential goods, employment status, healthcare access, mental health, and social support. Findings revealed significant challenges, with an average income decrease rating of 7.39, reflecting substantial financial loss. Ratings for access to essential goods and healthcare services also averaged 7.39, while employment status was rated at 7.82, indicating instability. Mental health impacts averaged 7.13, and social support was rated at 7.42, underscoring inadequacies during this crisis.

Overall, the study emphasizes the urgent need for targeted interventions and inclusive responses in emergency planning to mitigate the pandemic's disproportionate impact on this marginalized group in the Philippines.

This essay laid out the development of a nurse's identity from clinical practitioner to developing researcher, with a focus on the importance of patient-centered and nurse-centered care as the cornerstone pillars of nursing research. Through narrative and application of qualitative and participatory research approaches, the author showed the intersection of everyday experience, philosophical inquiry, and scholarly pursuit along the path toward becoming a nurse researcher. The article examined how emotional experiences within the perioperative environment have instigated research questions aimed at improving patient and nurse well-being. Through the incorporation of academic models and theoretical perspectives, the author presented an emerging investment in health equity, social determinants of health, and collective inquiry, framing this individual path within the greater nursing science mission.

BACKGROUND

Walking is widely recognized for its benefits in pain management, disability reduction, and psychological well-being, primarily due to its cost-effectiveness and accessibility. However, comprehensive qualitative insights into the full extent of its benefits remain insufficient. Chronic low back pain (CLBP) significantly impairs daily activities, requiring a multifaceted intervention approach, as advocated by the Biopsychosocial (BPS) model and the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) framework.

This systematic review aims to evaluate the perceptions and experiences related to walking among adults suffering from CLBP, understand the barriers and facilitators influencing walking behaviors, analyze behavioral patterns, and examine internal motivators for walking.

This systematic review will include both published and unpublished qualitative studies with participants aged >18 with CLBP persisting > 3 months, where walking is utilized as the primary or secondary intervention. Databases, including PubMed, EBSCO Host, Science Direct, ProQuest, MEDLINE, Epistemonikos, Cochrane Database, and Web of Science, will be searched without language or year restrictions. The screening will involve an independent dual review of the title/abstract and full texts, followed by a critical appraisal. Data extraction and synthesis will employ a meta-aggregation approach, with findings assessed via the ConQual approach.

Synthesized findings will guide evidence-based practice. Recommendations will provide actionable insights to address gaps in qualitative research on walking, promoting a holistic, patient-centered approach to treatment.

CRD42024509069.

BACKGROUND

TikTok is gaining popularity among Filipinos as a source of health-related information. However, there is a concern on the information being disseminated through the platform because misinformation can negatively impact viewers. Hence, the importance of studying health-related videos which can potentially influence belief, behavior, and public health.

This study aimed to describe common themes of health-related videos in TikTok published by Filipino content creators.

A cross-sectional design using qualitative analysis was utilized. One hundred of the most popular videos under #HealthTokPh were collected. Interesting segments were identified and coded. Codes were analyzed through qualitative thematic analysis to create the initial set of themes. Themes were reviewed and refined until the final set of themes was determined. Final themes were analyzed to create a coherent narrative.

There were three main themes among TikTok videos: reproductive and sexual health, infectious diseases, and dermatology. Misinformation was encountered in twelve videos; nine featured healthcare professionals addressing it while three were created by laypeople and had misleading content. Themes were discussed by healthcare professionals to answer questions from TikTok users. Videos showed content creators speaking throughout the video with visual aids such as on-screen texts, diagrams, and product samples. Use of humor and trending background music were more frequent among videos on reproductive and sexual health. Videos on COVID-19 had the most cited information source namely the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and published journals.

Health-related TikTok videos uploaded by Filipino content creators were on reproductive health, sex education, OTC medications, COVID-19, and acne. Common themes were discussed in a simplified but factual manner and misinformation was addressed by citing credible sources. Humor, trending music, and visual aids contributed to popularity.

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.