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

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

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*

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the species composition of mosquitoes collected from ovitraps in selected public schools of Metro Manila, Philippines.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ovitraps were installed from November 2013 to February 2014, in purposively selected public elementary and high schools of Metro Manila. Ovitraps were installed inside classrooms and collected weekly and examined for mosquito eggs and larvae. Speciation was done once a month from November 2013 to February 2014. All positive paddles were immersed in water for larval emergence, reared to fourth instars and were identified using taxonomic keys.

RESULTS: A total of 1,482 ovitraps were installed in the selected public schools, and 18,325 larvae were collected from elementary schools, while 16,670 larvae were collected from high schools. The mean ovitrap index or infestation rate was 49.69% during the period of data collection. Mosquito larvae were identified as Aedes aegypti (88.94%) and Aedes albopictus (11.06%). Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus coexisted in some of the examined paddles. No significant differences were observed between the type of school and the presence of Aedes larvae. Significant differences were observed between total number of mosquito larvae and months of collection.

CONCLUSION: The presence of Aedes mosquitoes in schools evidently shows that continuous vector surveillance in schools is necessary as this information will help in the formulation of proactive vector control activities, thereby preventing the occurrence of mosquito-borne diseases.

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

Colour stability of the material is an essential factor that contributes to the selection of a flexible denture material. Staining effects on the denture may result in unattractive appearance, the dissatisfaction of the wearer, and limited usage period of the denture. This study aims to identify the colour stability of the Valplast flexible denture material using three types of beverages. Methods: A total of 32 disc-shaped flexible resin materials (20 +/- 0.1 mm in diameter and thickness 3 +/- 0.1 mm) were prepared based on the manufacturer instructions. The samples were randomly divided into 4 groups of immersion: distilled water (control), coffee solution, tea solution and red wine. The samples were left in the specified immersion solution for up to 60 days. Colour changes were measured after 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, 30, 45 and 60 days of immersion. Results: The samples immersed in coffee solution changed from S1 to S2, whereas samples in tea solution changed from S1 to S3. Additionally, samples in red wine changed from S1 to S4, as observed using the Valplast colour tone guide. The highest reflection measured using spectroscopy was 65.146 at 385.19 nm of the control samples, whereas the lowest reflection was 1.974 at the wavelength of 385.97 nm on the samples immersed in the red wine. Conclusion: The most significant difference can be observed in the red wine group, followed by samples in tea and coffee solutions. Moreover, increasing the immersion period causes increasing staining effect of the denture.
Craniofacial and Biomaterial Sciences Cluster, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 13200, Bertam, Penang, Malaysia 2 Institut Latihan Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia (Pergigian), No.3 Jalan Sepoy Lines, 10450 Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia 3 Division of Research and Networking, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 13200, Bertam, Penang, Malaysia 4 School of Physics, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Minden, Penang, Malaysia

BACKGROUND: Health and education are closely linked. However, few studies have explored the correlates of children's academic performance in Japan. We aimed to investigate comprehensively the associations of low academic performance among school children with lifestyles, parental smoke, and socioeconomic status. METHODS: In 2016, children aged 6 to 13 years from the Super Diet Education School Project were surveyed using questionnaires. The survey explored the lifestyles and subjective academic performance of 1663 children and asked their parents about parental smoke and subjective socioeconomic status. Academic performance and socioeconomic status were divided into three levels. Then, we defined subjective academic performance in the lower two levels as low academic performance. The odds ratios (OR) were analyzed by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Among all participants, 299 (18.0%) children reported low academic performance. In general, low academic performance was significantly associated with late wakeup time (OR = 1.36 for 6:30 to < 7 a.m. and OR = 2.48 for ≥ 7 a.m.), screen time ≥ 2 h (OR = 1.35), studying at home < 1 h (OR = 1.82), paternal smoke (OR = 1.47), maternal smoke (OR = 1.87), and low socioeconomic status (OR = 1.48). Analyses stratified by grade showed stronger associations between academic performance and socioeconomic status in senior (OR = 1.62 for middle, OR = 1.52 for low in grades 4 to 6) than in junior children (OR = 1.15 for middle, OR = 1.38 for low in grades 1 to 3). CONCLUSIONS Children's lifestyles, parental smoke, and socioeconomic status were significantly associated with low academic performance among Japanese children. Parents and health care providers should take these findings into consideration to prevent children from having low academic performance.
Academic Performance ; statistics & numerical data ; Adolescent ; Child ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Japan ; Life Style ; Male ; Parents ; Risk Factors ; School Health Services ; statistics & numerical data ; Smoke ; adverse effects ; Social Class

BACKGROUND: Physical activity levels are low among adolescents in Morocco; however, the influences on physical activity behavior of adolescents have not yet been explored in a qualitative study. Here, we explored potential social-ecological barriers and facilitators of physical activity in Moroccan adolescents with the goal of developing a successful intervention program aimed at improving their physical activity level. METHODS: For this study, we conducted 17 focus group discussions (100 participants, composed of 56 adolescents, 26 parents, and 18 teachers from two middle schools in Taza city, Morocco). Discussions during focus groups were facilitated by a semi-structured interview guide. Guide questions were underpinned by the social-ecological model as a theoretical framework. Data analysis was carried out by two coders using thematic analysis. RESULTS: We found that barriers and facilitators of physical activity in adolescents are organized into six themes that belong to different levels of the social-ecological model. Three themes belonged to the intrapersonal level (perceived motivating and limiting factors, physical activity awareness, and time constraints), two themes were classified into the interpersonal/cultural level (social support and gender and cultural norms), and one theme belonged to the environmental level (access to opportunities). Most of the themes were at the individual level, with each theme including both barriers and facilitators. CONCLUSIONS Adolescent participation in physical activity can be facilitated or hampered by many factors. Results from the focus group discussions showed that these factors belonged to different levels of the social-ecological model, but most were at the individual level. Our findings have several implications. First, they may offer suggestions for a tailored intervention program aimed at improving adolescent physical activity. Second, they can improve quantitative research by enriching the battery of questions of physical activity instruments (e.g., a question related to physical disability). Third, the proposed thematic map can contribute to understanding interactions and causal pathways in the social-ecological model.
Adolescent ; Adolescent Behavior ; psychology ; Exercise ; psychology ; Female ; Focus Groups ; Humans ; Male ; Morocco ; Parents ; psychology ; Qualitative Research ; Risk Factors ; School Teachers ; psychology ; Social Environment ; Students ; psychology