BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Filipino farmers face unique occupational challenges that increase the risk of mental health issues, particularly anxiety. This study aims to determine the different personal, environmental, socioeconomic, occupational, and psychosocial factors associated with anxiety symptoms among Filipino farmers in Central Luzon.

Chain referral sampling method was used to recruit participants for the study, who underwent screening based on the eligibility criteria. Eligible participants were then asked about anxiety symptoms using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), while the validated, researcher-constructed Data Collection Tool for Factors Associated with Anxiety Symptoms (DCFAAS) was used to determine the farmers’ exposure to a variety of factors. Microsoft Excel was utilized in computing for frequency and percent distribution of participants, in each factor. Binary logistic regression was used to compute crude and adjusted odds ratio of each factor thru IBM SPSS Statistics®.

Among the 113 eligible farmers enrolled in the study, only 19 (16.8%) experienced anxiety symptoms, with excessive worrying, which was seen among 45 participants (39.8%). The mental health of Filipino farmers was significantly affected by the presence of physical illness (OR = 10.70 [95% CI 1.367, 83.773]) and having relatives affecting work completion (OR = 6.45 [95% CI 1.346, 30.896]). 

Despite the low prevalence of anxiety symptoms in this study, the findings suggest government policies to improve mental health service access to farmers, to integrate psychosocial support into agricultural programs, and to address family-related work pressures. By addressing these factors, it can improve farmer productivity and promote overall well-being, putting emphasis on the mental health of the Filipino farmers.

: This study aimed to identify risk factors associated with problematic mealtime behaviors in Filipino children aged 3-11 years diagnosed with ASD and to validate the Filipino-translated Brief Autism Mealtime Behavior Inventory (BAMBI) for clinical use. The study examined demographics, socioeconomic status, and clinical characteristics of children with ASD in relation to feeding difficulties. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 166 caregivers of Filipino children with ASD at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center. The BAMBI questionnaire, translated and validated into Filipino, was administered among patients evaluated under the Section of Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics. Content validity was established through neurodevelopmental pediatric experts, while face validity was achieved with feedback from 17 caregivers during the pilot test. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were performed to identify the factors. RESULTS: The Filipino-translated BAMBI demonstrated good content and face va- lidity based on reviews and pilot testing. The tool showed acceptable internal consistency with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.75, indicating good reliability. Seventy-seven percent (77%) of participants scored above the threshold for problematic mealtime behaviors, with multivariate analysis revealing a significant association between these behaviors and sensory sensitivities (OR = 3.0, 95% CI: 1.2 to 7.3, p = 0.0150). Additional factors, such as dietary habits and family structure, also showed trends toward significance but did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS This study validates the Filipino BAMBI as a reliable tool for assessing mealtime behaviors in children with ASD, highlighting the high prevalence of feeding problems in this population. Sensory sensitivities emerged as a significant factor contributing to problematic mealtime behaviors, underscoring the importance of incorporating sensory processing strategies in interventions. Further research should explore other contributing factors, such as dietary habits and family dynamics, to develop more comprehensive, tailored interventions for children with ASD and their families.
Autism spectrum disorder ; mealtime behaviors ; feeding difficulties ; BAMBI ; parent questionnaire ; risk factors

Objectives: This study aims to translate the WHO VF-20 questionnaire into Filipino (Tagalog) and validate the translated questionnaire. Methods: Patient information such as age, sex, educational background, and employment was recorded. Preoperative uncorrected and best-corrected visual acuities were also obtained. The VF-20 questionnaire was first translated into Filipino by an independent translator. The Filipino version was then back-translated to English by another translator. The original VF-20 questionnaire and back-translated English version were compared and checked for discrepancies. The Filipino questionnaire was then pretested on 60 participants who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was determined. Results: No major discrepancies in content were noted between the original VF-20 and the back-translated version. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was more than 0.9 for all the 20 items when each item was removed. The translated questionnaire shows high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha coefficient, 0.9144). Conclusion The Filipino version of the WHO VF-20 is a valid tool to assess vision-related quality of life in patients with visual impairment due to cataract. The questionnaire can be used as a tool for clinical evaluation, monitoring response to treatment, and future research studies.
questionnaire ; quality of life ; validation

Background: Psoriasis vulgaris is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory multi-system disease characterised by keratinocyte hyperproliferation. Data regarding patients’ disease severity, knowledge and quality of life (QOL) is important to optimize treatment strategies for psoriasis. This study aims to evaluate and investigate the relationship between disease severity, knowledge and QOL of patients with psoriasis. Methods: A cross-sectional multicentre study utilizing a socio-demographic data collection form, Psoriasis Knowledge Assessment Questionnaire (PKAQ), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI was conducted. Correlations between PKAQ, DLQI and PASI were analysed using Spearman’s test. Results: A total of 114 subjects participated in this study. Majority of them had mild psoriasis (n=73, 64%) based on PASI. The mean score of PKAQ was fourteen out of a total possible score of twenty-five, whereas the DLQI had a non-parametric distribution with a median (interquartile range) of 7 (10). Most subjects (32.5%) stated that psoriasis had a ‘moderate effect’ on their QOL, while only 3.5% said that it had an ‘extremely large effect’ on their QOL. There was a statistically significant correlation between PASI and DLQI (rs = 0.264, p = 0.004), with higher PASI scores corresponding to higher DLQI scores. No statistically significant correlation was found between DLQI and PKAQ (rs = -0.048, p= 0.612), and between PASI and PKAQ (rs = 0.058, p= 0.542). Conclusion Impairment of QOL was positively associated with severity of psoriasis. However, there was no significant relationship between knowledge and quality of life, as well as between knowledge and psoriasis severity.
Psoriasis--diagnosis ; Patient Acuity ; Quality of Life--psychology ; Patient Health Questionnaire

Objective: This study determined the prevalence of depression among young ophthalmologists during the COVID-19 pandemic and determined their access to mental healthcare. Methodology: In this cross-sectional study, members of the Philippine Network of Young Ophthalmologists were surveyed using an online Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), a short self-administered tool which included questions related to their current work to assess depression. The respondents were also asked if there was available, accessible, affordable, adequate, and acceptable mental healthcare to them answerable by yes, no, or maybe. Results: Seventy (70) respondents were included in the analysis. The mean age was 33±5 years with 54% being female. Forty-five (45) or 64% were resident trainees with a mean number of years in the training of 2±1 years. The median score for the PHQ-9 was 6.5 (3,12). Forty-two (42) or 60% of the respondents had some degree of depression. Nine (9) or 13% of the respondents had no available service, 6 (9%) had no accessible service, 7 (10%) had no affordable service, and 4 (6%) had no adequate service for mental healthcare for them. Conclusion More than half of the ophthalmologists-in-training and newly practicing suffered from some degree of depression based on the PHQ-9 questionnaire. A significant proportion was either not sure or do not have available, accessible, affordable, and adequate mental healthcare services for them.
Mental Health ; COVID-19 ; Patient Health Questionnaire

Objective: The study aimed to assess the validity of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Distress Thermometer (NCCN-DT) for determining psychosocial distress, as applied to Filipino patients with cancer. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study that included adult patients with cancer undergoing treatment at a tertiary private hospital. The NCCN-DT was administered to the patients together with the Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8) as the gold standard diagnostic test for psychosocial distress. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis was done to determine the accuracy of the NCCN-DT as a screening tool. Results: We included 114 Filipino adults with cancer. The ROC analysis showed an Area Under the ROC Curve (AUC) score of 0.98 for the NCCN-DT against the PHQ-8. The cut-off score of ≥7 showed a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 89.3% for detecting distress. The positive predictors for distress were identified: sadness (P<0.001), fear (P=0.001), depression (P=0.002), worry (P=0.02), childcare (P=0.03), fatigue (P=0.03), treatment decisions (P=0.04), loss of interest in usual activities (P=0.04), and memory/concentration (P=0.04). Conclusion The NCCN-DT had satisfactory diagnostic accuracy in agreement with PHQ-8 for screening of psychosocial distress among Filipino cancer patients. A cut-off score of ≥7 using the NCCN-DT gave the highest sensitivity and specificity for detecting distress in this population. The findings of this study can be used as validation of the NCCN-DT screening tool for a prospective application.
Anxiety ; Depression ; Fear ; Sadness ; Patient Health Questionnaire

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the prevalence, most common symptoms and sociodemographic factors associated with depression among physicians in a government COVID-Center i.e. Southern Philippines Medical Center-Institute of Psychiatry & Behavioral Medicine in Bajada, Davao City METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional, survey-based study collected socio-demographic data and PHQ-9 scores using Google Forms, from resident physicians from July 1 to August 31 2020. Multinomial logistics regression analysis was used to identify risk factors of depression. RESULTS: Two hundred fifty-one (251) out of 376 physicians responded (68.39% response rate). The average age was 30 years old, majority were female (58.57%, 147), single (78.88%,198), frontliners (77.29%, 194), with average hospital experience of 2.0 years. Ninety six (38.26%) were assigned in surgical departments while 155 (61.75%) worked in nonsurgical departments. There were twelve respondents (4.78%) who had a history of psychiatric illness and 31 (12.35%) had previous psychiatric intervention, while 66 (26.29%) had a history of medical illness. Eighty-five (33.86%) had depression using PHQ-9; 57 (22.71%) as mild, 19 (7.57%) moderate, 7 (2.79%) moderately severe and 2 (0.8%) severe. Out of 85 residents who were depressed, the most common symptoms were: low energy (81, 95.29%); anhedonia (76, 89.41%); and feeling depressed (72, 84.70%). Medical illness was associated with higher levels of depression. Physicians with a history of psychiatric illness, psychiatric intervention and medical illness had significantly higher levels of depression. CONCLUSION More than a third (33.86%) of physicians screened positive for depression. Current mental health programs must be strengthened and made specific, to prevent and address depression especially among those who have a history of psychiatric and medical illness.
depression ; Patient Health Questionnaire ; COVID-19

Introduction: Depression is a debilitating illness and has become a leading cause of disability worldwide. According to the National Health Survey IV, the prevalence of lifetime depression was 2.4% and current depression was 1.8%. In a review article published by the Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Malaya, the prevalence of depression in Malaysia was estimated to be between 8% and 12%. A cross-sectional study carried out in Selangor, Malaysia showed that 10.3% of adults aged 18 and above suffered from depression. Depression carries dire societal and health-related consequences that affect both the individual and the community as a whole, and is potentially a chronic illness with high morbidity, rate of relapse and recurrence. This study was performed to identify the prevalence of depression and factors associated with it. Method: A cross-sectional study was done on 354 Malaysian adults above the age of 18 residing in the district of Mantin, Malaysia. Non-Malaysians and people with known-depression were excluded. A questionnaire was developed to detect the sociodemographic factors and Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) was used to screen for depression. Results: The proportion of the participants shown to score mild to major depression was 44.4%. Higher prevalence was found in individuals who were males (45.2%), in the age group of 38 years and below (48.3%), Malays (45.5%), having low levels of income (46.0%), having lower levels of education (45.7%), not married (48.1%), a parent (45.3%), having positive family history of depression (60%) and suffering from chronic illnesses (48.4%). Satisfaction with family members was a strong and independent factor associated with depression (OR 3.051, CI 1.445-6.444, p-value 0.002). Conclusion The prevalence of depression in the study population of Mantin was high and significantly associated with family satisfaction. Creating awareness regarding depression in this community is recommended. Projects and programmes encouraging individuals to connect with the family should be considered. In addition, policies should be put in place to promote more family time in the community.
Depression ; prevalence ; Patient Health Questionnaire ; Malaysia

Field trials of Wolbachia-transinfected mosquitoes, as a biological approach to curb dengue transmission, have been initiated. This study aimed to determine the knowledge regarding dengue fever (DF), practice of vector control, and acceptance of Wolbachia as a dengue control method among Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC) healthcare staff. A questionnaire assessing knowledge regarding DF, vector control practices, and acceptance of Wolbachia was conducted among 330 UKMMC healthcare staff via convenience sampling. More than 70% of the respondents had good knowledge regarding DF, good vector control practice, and good acceptance of Wolbachia. Being female and having household income >MYR3000 had higher odds of having good knowledge regarding DF [(aOR 2.40; 95%CI 1.13, 5.12) and (aOR 3.86; 95%CI 1.91, 7.80)]. Having household income >MYR3000 had higher odds of having good vector control practice (aOR 2.33; 95%CI 1.20, 4.54) while academicians were three times (1-0.24) less likely to have good vector control practice than non-academicians (aOR 0.24; 95%CI 0.13, 0.48). Good acceptance of Wolbachia was associated with being academicians (aOR 8.83; 95%CI 2.60, 29.96) and having good knowledge regarding DF (aOR 6.07; 95% CI 2.89, 12.74). Gender, different income level and type of occupation have significant association with either good knowledge regarding DF or practice on vector control. Different type of occupation and level of knowledge also were notably significantly associated with good acceptance on Wolbachia as dengue biological control. These factors may be the focus for future plan to enhance the knowledge, acceptance and practice regarding DF and its control.
Wolbachia ; Dengue, Aedes ; Knowledge ; Practice ; Acceptance ; Questionnaire ; Healthcare staff

The quality of relationship between a person with dementia and a family caregiver has been identified as one of important factor in informal dementia care. Currently there is no validated questionnaire to measure the dyadic relationship in Malaysia. The aim of present study is to examine the reliability and validity of Quality of the PatientCaregiver Relationship (QCPR) questionnaire in Malay version. A total of 70 patients with mild to moderate dementia and their caregivers were recruited from the psychogeriatric clinic, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre using a cross sectional study. The QCPR questionnaire was translated into Malay following the standard guidelines for crosscultural adaptation of measure. The person with dementia and their caregiver completed the QCPR Malay version separately. Internal consistency and test-retest examined for reliability. Construct validity was tested with principal component factor analysis. The reliability of patient QCPR Malay version was good with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of 0.86 and intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.85. Item 11 was omitted from the caregiver QCPR Malay version due to its poor correlation with the corrected item-total score. The newly formed scale, 13 items caregiver QCPR Malay version, had satisfactory reliability (Cronbach’s alpha 0.89 and intraclass correlation coefficients 0.91). Principal component factor analysis extracted 4 factors for patient version and 3 factors for caregiver version which explained 69.44% (patients’ report) and 61.20% (caregivers’ report) of the total variance of the scale. As a conclusion, both the patient (14 items) and caregiver (13 items) adapted QCPR Malay version is a reliable and valid tool to measure the quality of dyadic relationship between people with mild to moderate dementia and the caregiver.
Informal care ; dementia ; caregiver ; questionnaire ; reliability ; validity