OBJECTIVE

Dengue remains a critical public health concern in the Philippines. Late consultation and delayed presentation of dengue patients to hospitals constantly challenge doctors. This study aimed to identify factors contributing to late consultation of dengue patients.

This analytic, cross-sectional study examined patient, parental, socioeconomic, cultural, and health system factors influencing delayed consultation among parents of patients 0 – 18 years at Batangas Medical Center and Lipa Medix Medical Center. A total of 668 parents were enrolled. Descriptive statistics and frequency tables summarized the key characteristics. Test of proportions assessed differences between groups. Univariate logistic regression screened possible predictors, followed by multiple logistic regression to identify significant factors.

Univariate analysis identified significant predictors of late consultation, including older patient age(p=0.002), residence >50 km from the hospital (p 50 km from the hospital were 2.7 times more likely to consult late (p=0.01).

Delayed consultation was influenced by the patient age, hospital type, geographic distance from the hospital, maternal marital status, and cultural beliefs in home remedies and faith healing. Strategies to improve early consultation should consider these factors.

BACKGROUND

The Philippines is experiencing a significant demographic transition with a growing proportion of older adults within its population. This shift is accompanied by rapid urbanization, which is reshaping traditional family structures and altering the dynamics of caregiving. Despite the cultural emphasis on close family ties and the responsibility of caring for elderly relatives, there is a notable scarcity of research focused on elder care in residential facilities within the country. This gap highlights the need for a deeper understanding of how these societal changes impact the care of the elderly, particularly in a context where familial caregiving has historically been paramount.

To determine the relationship between family function and the acceptability of residential care facilities among elderly patients and their families at a tertiary government hospital last December 2024.

The study was conducted in Las Piñas General Hospital and Satellite Trauma Center. A survey among elderly patients (n=40) and patient dyads (n=40) was conducted to determine the level of family function by using Family APGAR and their level of acceptability on residential care facility using the Likert scale. The relationship of Family function and acceptability on Residential Care facilities was determined using Spearman’s correlation.

The findings revealed a significant prevalence of functional families among respondents, 42.5% in the elderly, and 65% in the family member dyads, alongside a mixed perception of residential care facilities, 62.5% favorable response in the patient dyads, and 72.5% in the elderly group. Correlation analysis indicated a weak negative association (correlation coefficient -0.193, p-value 0.087) between family function and acceptability, suggesting that as family function decreases, the acceptability of residential care increases, although this relationship was not statistically significant.

There is a prevalence of highly functional families in both the elderlies and patient dyads in the selected institution. The level of acceptability of residential care facilities was noted to be high with a negative correlation but not statistically significant with family function. Future investigations are recommended to deepen understanding of the complex relationships between family dynamics and acceptability of residential care facilities. It is imperative to address the implications for healthcare strategies and the support systems that serve aging populations. Efforts must be made to ensure that both elderly individuals and their families are adequately prepared for the transition to residential care, taking into account their unique needs, fears, and expectations.

Objectives: This study aims to determine the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in the sample population in a barangay in the City of Balanga, Bataan using the MINI International and Neuropsychiatric Interview and to describe the profile of those with psychiatric disorders based on sociodemographic and health characteristics. Methods: This is a cross sectional study from Barangay Tenejero, City of Balanga, Bataan done in 2019. Systematic random sampling was done where all zones were included. Sample size was 432 households (with at least one adult per household) based on a level of significance of 5%. Data were obtained using the sociodemographic profile, health profile, MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview Screen and MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview 6 done through face-to-face interview. Descriptive statistics were used in analysis. Results: Forty-four of the participants have a diagnosis of at least one psychiatric disorder (10.50%). Of these, the most common psychiatric disorders were major depressive disorder (3.58%) followed by any psychotic disorder (1.91%) and generalized anxiety disorder (1.91%). Among the population, 3.10% have suicidal behavior. Psychiatric disorders are more common among women and people with low incomes. Among those with psychiatric disorders, mental health service utilization is low with only 4.55-6.82%. Conclusion This study reports for the first time the prevalence of psychiatric condition in a barangay in the City of Balanga, Bataan. Though the prevalence rate (10.50%) is low compared to other community data, the findings emphasize the need for strategies to promote mental disorder diagnosis and treatment. This study will influence and guide contextualized community mental health services and policies.
Cross-Sectional Studies ; Mental Disorders ; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales

Objectives: This study aimed to describe the roles and responsibilities of doctors and nurses in managing conditions like hypertension and diabetes in rural areas. Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional study design using the task analysis methodology. A self-administered questionnaire derived from a national health practice guideline was used. A combination of frequency, criticality, and performance was assessed to identify tasks that needed attention by educators and policymakers. Results: Of the 142 health workers who participated in the study, 81% were nurses and 19% were doctors. The tasks most frequently performed by these professionals were taking vital signs (88.7%), recording patient history (87.3%), and advising patients on regular follow-ups (86.6%). In terms of criticality, the top three tasks were performing diagnostic tests for acute chest pain (50.8%), diagnosing neurological disorders (49.2%), and referring patients for specialized tests at other facilities (43.6%). However, the tasks perceived as most challenging or outside their capability were the Fagerstorm test for assessing nicotine dependence (57.5%), the AUDIT tool for identifying binge drinkers (55.5%), and fundoscopy for diagnosing diabetic retinopathy (54%). Conclusion The primary care practice of the participants typically involved tasks that are centered on health promotion or disease prevention. Many of the tasks are shared by doctors and nurses, with some highly critical tasks performed less frequently due to a lack of training. Pre-service courses may need to be revised to ensure that health professionals have the required skills to carry out shared tasks.
Diabetes Mellitus ; Hypertension ; Primary Health Care ; Delivery of Health Care, Integrated ; Philippines ; Cross-Sectional Studies

Humans ; Alzheimer Disease ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Creatine Kinase ; Brain/metabolism*

Humans ; Nasal Polyps/epidemiology* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Rhinosinusitis ; Asthma/epidemiology* ; Sinusitis/epidemiology* ; Chronic Disease

BACKGROUND: Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) has become a global epidemic, and air pollution has been identified as a potential risk factor. This study aims to investigate the non-linear relationship between ambient air pollution and MASLD prevalence. METHOD: In this cross-sectional study, participants undergoing health checkups were assessed for three-year average air pollution exposure. MASLD diagnosis required hepatic steatosis with at least 1 out of 5 cardiometabolic criteria. A stepwise approach combining data visualization and regression modeling was used to determine the most appropriate link function between each of the six air pollutants and MASLD. A covariate-adjusted six-pollutant model was constructed accordingly. RESULTS: A total of 131,592 participants were included, with 40.6% met the criteria of MASLD. "Threshold link function," "interaction link function," and "restricted cubic spline (RCS) link functions" best-fitted associations between MASLD and PM_2.5, PM₁₀/CO, and O₃ /SO₂/NO₂, respectively. In the six-pollutant model, significant positive associations were observed when pollutant concentrations were over: 34.64 µg/m³ for PM_2.5, 57.93 µg/m³ for PM₁₀, 56 µg/m³ for O₃, below 643.6 µg/m³ for CO, and within 33 and 48 µg/m³ for NO₂. The six-pollutant model using these best-fitted link functions demonstrated superior model fitting compared to exposure-categorized model or linear link function model assuming proportionality of odds. CONCLUSION Non-linear associations were found between air pollutants and MASLD prevalence. PM_2.5, PM₁₀, O₃, CO, and NO₂ exhibited positive associations with MASLD in specific concentration ranges, highlighting the need to consider non-linear relationships in assessing the impact of air pollution on MASLD.
Humans ; Nitrogen Dioxide ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Air Pollution/analysis* ; Air Pollutants/analysis* ; Particulate Matter/analysis* ; Liver Diseases ; Environmental Exposure/analysis*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The Department of Clinical Epidemiology (DCE) of the University of the Philippines Manila is the only higher education institution in the Philippines offering graduate studies in clinical epidemiology. The Master of Science Epidemiology (Clinical Epidemiology) was first offered in 1992, while the Diploma in Epidemiology (Clinical Epidemiology) was offered in 1998. While the courses of the programs are continuously updated based on students’ feedback and advances on topics covered, the point of view of the students and alumni on the program as a whole has not been done. This study aimed to determine 1) self-reported current positions and affiliations, work areas where clinical epidemiology (CE) training is useful, and skills gained from CE training; 2) research studies completed and deemed by respondents to have considerable impact; and 3) strengths, weaknesses, and areas of improvement of the DCE graduate programs.

This is an online survey of students and alumni of the DCE graduate programs. We sent email invites to all 287 students and alumni. We collected data on their profession, institutional affiliations, positions, skills gained from their training, areas of clinical epidemiology applications, important research involvement, reasons for recommending or not recommending the programs, and how the graduate programs can be improved. Responses were summarized by frequencies and percentages. An analyst performed qualitative content analysis (QCA) to generate strengths and weaknesses of the program. We validated the results of the QCA through 1) presentation to the research team, 2) sending the survey report to study participants and other students and alumni for feedback, and 3) presentation to the DCE faculty and staff.

We received 159 responses (55.4% of the total study population)—145 (91.2%) were from the MSc program and 11 (6.9%) were from the Diploma program. Majority of the respondents were physicians (93.7%), had hospital affiliations (81.8%), and were affiliated with the academe (61%). Majority of the respondents used clinical epidemiology in their research endeavors (87.4%), clinical practice (85.5%), and teaching (78%). Majority (93.1%) would recommend the program they have taken. Eleven (6.9%) respondents were hesitant due to the possible mismatch with the students’ career path, challenging thesis work, and potential conflicting personal responsibilities. Several strengths of the programs were identified, including excellent and well-implemented programs, supportive faculty and staff, and relevant course work. While completing the course work had not been a problem in general, the main challenge encountered by students is the completion of their thesis, leading to a low graduation rate in the Master of Science program. Suggestions to improve the Master of Science and Diploma programs include 1) Improvement in program implementation, including thesis policies and support, smoother transition from Diploma to MSc Program and vice-versa, and implementation of a blended learning platform; 2) Curricular improvements such as wider choices for electives and tracking towards specialty areas; 3) Innovations in conduct of courses; and 4) Personnel and infrastructure development.

This survey reiterated the importance of clinical epidemiology graduate programs in research capacity building of health care professionals. Students and alumni occupied diverse positions in academic, research, clinical, and pharmaceutical setting, and majority accomplished research studies with considerable impact. A major challenge leading to a low graduation rate in the Master of Science program is the completion of thesis work. The survey identified several initiatives towards continuous quality improvement of clinical epidemiology programs, including improvement of thesis policies and support, updating the curriculum content and materials, increasing allotment of hours for hands-on activities, exploring possibilities of offering electives in partnership with other institutions, offering a blended learning platform, maintaining an efficient administrative support for students, and continuing education for alumni. Strong institutional support for personnel and infrastructure development is essential for these initiatives to succeed.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to determine the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in the sample population in a barangay in the City of Balanga, Bataan using the MINI International and Neuropsychiatric Interview and to describe the profile of those with psychiatric disorders based on sociodemographic and health characteristics.

This is a cross sectional study from Barangay Tenejero, City of Balanga, Bataan done in 2019. Systematic random sampling was done where all zones were included. Sample size was 432 households (with at least one adult per household) based on a level of significance of 5%. Data were obtained using the sociodemographic profile, health profile, MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview Screen and MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview 6 done through face-to-face interview. Descriptive statistics were used in analysis.

Forty-four of the participants have a diagnosis of at least one psychiatric disorder (10.50%). Of these, the most common psychiatric disorders were major depressive disorder (3.58%) followed by any psychotic disorder (1.91%) and generalized anxiety disorder (1.91%). Among the population, 3.10% have suicidal behavior. Psychiatric disorders are more common among women and people with low incomes. Among those with psychiatric disorders, mental health service utilization is low with only 4.55-6.82%.

This study reports for the first time the prevalence of psychiatric condition in a barangay in the City of Balanga, Bataan. Though the prevalence rate (10.50%) is low compared to other community data, the findings emphasize the need for strategies to promote mental disorder diagnosis and treatment. This study will influence and guide contextualized community mental health services and policies.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to describe the roles and responsibilities of doctors and nurses in managing conditions like hypertension and diabetes in rural areas.

This study employed a cross-sectional study design using the task analysis methodology. A self-administered questionnaire derived from a national health practice guideline was used. A combination of frequency, criticality, and performance was assessed to identify tasks that needed attention by educators and policymakers.

Of the 142 health workers who participated in the study, 81% were nurses and 19% were doctors. The tasks most frequently performed by these professionals were taking vital signs (88.7%), recording patient history (87.3%), and advising patients on regular follow-ups (86.6%). In terms of criticality, the top three tasks were performing diagnostic tests for acute chest pain (50.8%), diagnosing neurological disorders (49.2%), and referring patients for specialized tests at other facilities (43.6%). However, the tasks perceived as most challenging or outside their capability were the Fagerstorm test for assessing nicotine dependence (57.5%), the AUDIT tool for identifying binge drinkers (55.5%), and fundoscopy for diagnosing diabetic retinopathy (54%).

The primary care practice of the participants typically involved tasks that are centered on health promotion or disease prevention. Many of the tasks are shared by doctors and nurses, with some highly critical tasks performed less frequently due to a lack of training. Pre-service courses may need to be revised to ensure that health professionals have the required skills to carry out shared tasks.