OBJECTIVES

While the chronically overburdened state of public school teachers in the Philippines is well-established, little is known about how they specifically provide ‘care’ and attend to their students’ health in the workplace. This article addresses that knowledge gap by illustrating the many forms of ‘health work’ undertaken by public school teachers on a daily basis, and analyzing the concrete challenges they face in doing such work. In so doing, this article provides a qualitative construction of school teachers as ‘health workers’ in the country.

This article draws from two focus group discussions conducted in Southern Luzon and Eastern Visayas between November 2018 to May 2019, as part of a multi-sited study on the health-related challenges faced by lowand middle-income Filipinos. A total of 19 teachers participated in those two discussions. We used the principles of thematic analysis to code and analyze the discussion transcripts.

Teachers regularly fulfill various tasks that can be considered health work, including measuring students’ anthropometrics; supervising and administering government programs like deworming, feeding programs, and vaccinations; providing first-aid and various forms of immediate medical attention; addressing students’ mental and psychological health concerns; and working with students’ families in ways that resemble social work. However, the study participants largely considered themselves unqualified to do health work, often sacrificed their own personal health and interpersonal relationships to take on the additional burden of health work, and felt they received insufficient institutional support.

Doing health work not only takes away from actual teaching time, but also comes at the expense of teachers’ own health. Hiring the appropriate personnel to conduct health work and improving legal safeguards are possible solutions to ameliorating the present working conditions of teachers. Yet, the larger and more long-term conversation demands the prioritiziation of teachers’ well-being and overall quality of life, and recognizing the cruciality of a healthy work-life balance for them. Future studies should involve more diverse geographic sites and teacher populations, and utilize more focused forms of analysis (e.g., comparative, policy-driven).

The banning of new nursing schools in the Philippines was imposed in 2010 to mitigate the failing compliance of schools with various competency standards set forth by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), in addition to the burden of students in paying their affiliations with hospitals. In the midst of the shortage of nurses in the country that was magnified by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) decided to lift the moratorium. This paper draws on the narratives of nursing leaders and professionals on the phenomenon of nursing shortage and the issues that can arise with the reopening of nursing schools. The verbatims highlight the historical and contemporary entanglement of various issues that contributed to the problem of nursing shortage. In addressing these issues, this paper looks into some of the problems in Philippine nursing that may conform with the broad contemporary problems identified by philosopher Alain Badiou. Viable solutions may be found in the exploration of emerging research methodologies, consideration of systems thinking using technological advances, and incorporating political competency among Filipino nurses.
nursing education ; nursing school

Objective: To investigate vitamin D levels among primary and middle school students in Xicheng District, Beijing Municipality, and to examine the association of vitamin D levels with hemoglobin (Hb) and serum ferritin (SF) levels, so as to provide insights into the prevention of anemia among primary and middle school students. Methods: The first, third and fifth grade primary school students and the first grade junior high school students were sampled from Xicheng District in 2019, using the multistage stratified cluster sampling method, and students' gender, age, height, weight and Hb levels were collected. The 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25-( OH )D] was measured using electrochemiluminescence assay, and SF was detected using immunoturbidimetry. The vitamin D deficiency was determined according to the American College of Endocrinology guidelines. The associations of 25-( OH) D levels with Hb and SF levels were examined using Pearson correlation analysis and Spearman rank correlation analysis. Results: Totally 403 primary and junior high school students were investigated, including 196 boys ( 48.64% ) and 207 girls ( 51.36% ). There were 179, 114 and 110 students at ages of 6 to 8 years ( 44.41% ), 9 to 11 years ( 28.29% ) and 12 to 13 years ( 27.30% ), respectively. The mean 25-( OH )D level was ( 14.80±5.96 ) ng/mL among the study students, and there were 90 students ( 22.33% ) with severe vitamin D deficiency, 243 students ( 60.30% ) with vitamin D deficiency, 63 students ( 15.63% ) with vitamin D inadequacy and 7 students ( 1.74% ) with vitamin D sufficiency. The mean Hb level was ( 136.28±8.33 ) g/L and the median SF level (interquartile range) was 56.80 (14.36) ng/mL among the study students, respectively. The 25-( OH )D level positively correlated with Hb ( r=0.364, P<0.001 ) and SF levels ( rs=0.374, P<0.001 ), and after adjustment for age and body mass index, the 25-( OH )D still correlated positively with Hb ( r=0.157, P=0.048 ) and SF levels ( rs=0.174, P=0.022 ) . Conclusions Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent among primary and middle school students in Xicheng District, and the 25-(OH)-D levels correlate positively with Hb and SF levels. 25-( OH )-D deficiency may contribute to the development of anemia.
vitamin D ; hemoglobin ; serum ferritin ; primary and middle school student

INTRODUCTION: Approximately 1000 children die each year due to preventable water and sanitation-related diarrheal diseases. Six in 10 people lacked access to safely managed sanitation facilities in 2015. Numerous community- and school-based approaches have been implemented to eradicate open defecation practices, promote latrine ownership, improve situation sanitation, and reduce waterborne disease. OBJECTIVE: Given that current evidence for sanitation interventions seem promising, the aim of this study was to systematically summarize existing research on the effectiveness of community- and school-based randomized controlled sanitation intervention in improving (1) free open defecation (safe feces disposal), (2) latrine usage, (3) latrine coverage or access, and (4) improved latrine coverage or access. METHODS: Eight electronic databases were searched: PubMed, Scopus, WHO Global Health Library (GHL), Virtual Health Library (VHL), POPLINE, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Google Scholar up to 26 April 2019. Original randomized clinical trials addressing community-based or school-based intervention that reported feces disposal and latrine coverage were deemed eligible. More than two researchers independently contributed to screening of papers, data extraction, and bias assessment. We conducted a meta-analysis by random-effects model. The risk of bias was assessed by the Cochrane risk of bias tool. RESULTS: Eighteen papers that matched all criteria and 16 studies were included in the final meta-analysis. Compared to the control, the sanitation intervention significantly increased safe feces disposal (OR 2.19, 95% CI 1.51-3.19, p < 0.05, I CONCLUSION Our study showed strong evidence for both community- and school-based sanitation interventions as effective for the safe disposal of human excreta. The finding suggests major implications for health policy and design of future intervention in developing countries.
Community Participation/statistics & numerical data* ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Sanitation/instrumentation* ; School Health Services/statistics & numerical data* ; Toilet Facilities/statistics & numerical data*

Background and Objective: In addressing vaccine acceptance, teachers may play a pivotal role as educators and models of behavior, as they serve as reliable sources of information. Thus, this study aimed to determine the association between knowledge and risk perception of teachers and their acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine. Methodology: This study utilized an analytic, cross-sectional design. Seven hundred and seven public secondary school teachers in Manila City, Philippines accomplished the online self-administered questionnaire. The study was guided by the Health Belief Model (HBM). Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the factors associated with acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine. Results: Respondents had a high knowledge on COVID-19 mode of transmission (95.2%), signs and symptoms (92.9%), diagnosis (57.6%), treatment (98.9%), and prevention (92.2%). They had a high risk perception (>69.2%) pertaining to four constructs (Perceived Susceptibility, Perceived Severity, Perceived Benefits, Cues to Action) of the HBM. Low risk perception of barriers was observed (66.1%). The majority (92.5%) are willing to accept the COVID-19 vaccine. Respondents who teach health-related subjects (94.4%) garnered more vaccine acceptors compared to teachers of non-health-related subjects (91.6%). After adjusting for sex, age, highest educational attainment, and subjects taught, Cues to Action remained to be associated with COVID- 19 vaccine acceptance. Conclusion Although high levels of knowledge and risk perceptions were observed, only Cues to Action had a significant association with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Hence, they need external cues, from physicians or the Food and Drug Administration, to accept the COVID-19 vaccine.
COVID-19 Vaccines ; Health Belief Model ; School Teachers ; Knowledge

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore psychological distress and examine the relationship between this distress and individual, family, and school factors among adolescents in four low- and middle-income countries (LAMICs) in Asia (i.e., Laos, Mongolia, Nepal, and Sri Lanka). METHODS: A total of 4,098 adolescents attending public schools in the four LAMICs were surveyed as part of the Healthy School Development Project, which aimed to develop school capacity for improving (1) health among all school members and (2) the school environment through tailored school health programs. Psychological distress, family factors (i.e., parental understanding and monitoring, and parental tobacco and alcohol use), and school factors (i.e., having close friends, not bullied, school attendance, and health education) were assessed using self-report questionnaires. Data were collected from September to November in 2012 and 2013. Data analysis comprised descriptive statistics, Chi-squared testing, and logistic regression. RESULTS: Over half of the participants were women (53.2%–64.1%), and 33.7% (in Sri Lanka) to 53.8% (in Laos) were aged older than 15 years. Approximately 32.9% reported the presence of psychological distress; moreover, 7.9%–13.2% reported suicidal ideation. Parental monitoring and being bullied were associated with psychological distress in all four countries. CONCLUSION: One-third of adolescents experience psychological distress across these four LAMICs, which poses a substantial public health issue. Adolescents can benefit from family and school-based approaches for screening, ameliorating, and preventing psychological distress.
Adolescent ; Asia ; Developing Countries ; Female ; Friends ; Humans ; Laos ; Logistic Models ; Mass Screening ; Mongolia ; Nepal ; Parents ; Public Health ; School Health Services ; Sri Lanka ; Statistics as Topic ; Stress, Psychological ; Suicidal Ideation ; Tobacco

PURPOSE: The field of physical therapy education is seeking an evidence-based approach for admitting qualified applicants, as previous research has assessed various outcomes, impeding practical application. This study was conducted to identify preadmission criteria predictive of graduation success. METHODS: Data from the 2013–2016 graduating cohorts (n=149) were collected. Predictors included verbal Graduate Record Examination rank percentile (VGRE%), quantitative GRE rank percentile, analytical GRE rank percentile, the admissions interview, precumulative science grade point average (SGPA), precumulative grade point average (UGPA), and a reflective essay. The National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and grade point average at the time of graduation (GGPA) were used as measures of graduation success. Two separate mixed-effects models determined the associations of preadmission predictors with NPTE performance and GGPA. RESULTS: The NPTE model fit comparison showed significant results (degrees of freedom [df]=10, P=0.001), decreasing within-cohort variance by 59.5%. NPTE performance was associated with GGPA (β=125.21, P=0.001), and VGRE%, the interview, the essay, and GGPA (P≤0.001) impacted the model fit. The GGPA model fit comparison did not show significant results (df=8, P=0.56), decreasing within-cohort variance by 16.4%. The GGPA was associated with the interview (β=0.02, P=0.04) and UGPA (β=0.25, P=0.04), and VGRE%, the interview, UGPA, and the essay (P≤0.02) impacted model fit. CONCLUSION: In our findings, GGPA predicted NPTE performance, and the interview and UGPA predicted GGPA. Unlike past evidence, SGPA showed no predictive power. The essay and VGRE% warrant attention because of their influence on model fit. We recommend that admissions ranking matrices place a greater weight on the interview, UGPA, VGRE%, and the essay.
Cohort Studies ; Education ; Freedom ; School Admission Criteria ; United States

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to review sexual abuse prevention education program for Korean elementary school students.METHODS: Whittemore and Knafl's integrative review methods were used and Gough's weight of evidence was employed as a quality appraisal tool. Articles published in Korean or English were identified through electronic search engines and scholarly web sites using three keywords: “elementary school student”, “sexual abuse”, and “prevention education”. Peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2018 were included in this review.RESULTS: Twelve articles met the inclusion criteria and were appraised as being high-quality. Among the 12 selected studies, seven were descriptive, while five were intervention studies. Sexual abuse prevention education programs were effective in improving perceptions, knowledge, attitudes, and preventive behaviors among elementary school students. However, deficiencies were found in the variety of educational methods, utilization of experts, and standardization of the content of sexual abuse prevention education.CONCLUSION: We need to provide various educational methods that are appropriate for specific developmental stages, and the sexual abuse prevention content should draw upon the current sexual education program administered to this population. Furthermore, parents and trained teachers or school health teachers should be included to provide effective education programs for elementary students.
Child ; Child Abuse, Sexual ; Education ; Humans ; Korea ; Parents ; School Health Services ; Search Engine ; Sex Offenses

Gifted and talented students are different from the other normal students and special attention is needed for due to their high cognitive ability and their socio-emotional conditions. Literatures show shortcomings and ineffectiveness of the counselling services to the gifted and talented students. The lack of effective interventions and approaches targeted to the students hinders the understanding on the importance of counseling services to the students. Hence, this study aims to explore the school counseling services for gifted and talented students. Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, 10 articles were selected and reviewed. Findings from different journal sources conducted in different countries were assimilated to attain better understanding of the relevance of school counseling services to gifted and talented students. The role of the school counselors and the challenges in the school counseling services were also identified from the articles.
School counseling services

Introduction: Coated archwires improve aesthetics because of the tooth-coloured appearance. However, colour change of the coated archwires have been reported in vitro. Nonetheless, little is known to what extent this colour change occurs clinically. This second part of the multi-centre, double-blind, randomised controlled trial evaluated the colour change (∆E*) of three coated archwires with their controls and patient perception. Methods: 84 patients who received treatment with upper and lower fixed appliance treatment were invited. Consented patients were randomised to receive one of four treatment interventions using 0.014” superelastic nickel-titanium archwires from (1) Orthocare (2) RMO (3) G&H, and (4) 3M Unitek® uncoated. These archwires were ligated during bonding and collected after 8th week. After removal, the digital images of the archwires were assessed for colour change using Adobe® Photoshop® software, and the CIE L*a*b* system was used to calculate the ΔE* values. Patient perception was measured using oral aesthetic subjective impact scale (OASIS) questionnaire. Results: For colour change and patient perception assessment, 132 archwires from 66 participants who had been treated with aesthetic archwires were collected. Two fractured archwires were excluded. Initial analysis revealed all three aesthetic archwires groups showed significant mean of ∆E* with the highest was found in Orthocare (23.9), and the lowest is G&H (16.8). Post hoc comparison revealed statistically significant mean of ∆E* in Orthocare when compared with other groups (p <0.001). There was no statistically significant difference for patient perception between archwire groups. Conclusion: Preliminary results revealed that significant ∆E* in Orthocare group and patients showed positive perception following clinical use
Craniofacial & ; Biomaterial Sciences Cluster, Advanced Medical & ; Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 13200 Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia. 2 School of Dental Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (Health Campus), 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia