Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Prevalence Of Sars-Cov-2 Antibodies Within The Community Of A Private Tertiary University In The Philippines: A Serial Cross Sectional Study, Lourdes S. Tanchanco, Jenica Clarisse Y. Sy, Angel Belle C. Dy, Myla D. Levantino, Arianna Maever L. Amit, John Wong, Kirsten Angeles, John Paul Vergara

Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health Publications

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a public health emergency in all sectors of society, including universities and other academic institutions. This study determined the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among administrators, faculty, staff, and students of a private tertiary academic institution in the Philippines over a 7 month period. It employed a serial cross-sectional method using qualitative and quantitative COVID-19 antibody test kits. A total of 1,318 participants were tested, showing 47.80% of the study population yielding IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 virus. A general increase in seroprevalence was observed from June to December 2021, which coincided with the vaccine roll-out of …

University Students’ Overall And Domain-Specific Physical Activity During Covid-19: A Cross-Sectional Study In Seven Asean Countries, Areekul Amornsriwatanakul, Hanif Abdul Raman, Apichai Wattanapisit, Ira Nurmala, Ma. Henrietta Teresa O. De La Cruz, Josip Car, Michael Chia

Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health Publications

This research investigated the overall and domain-specific physical activity (PA) of university students in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. A cross-sectional study was applied to socioeconomic (SE) and PA online data collected from 15,366 students across 17 universities in seven Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries. Statistical analyses using logistic regressions established SE–PA relationships. Over half (60.3%) of ASEAN university students met age-span specific PA guidelines. Students participated in recreational PA the most, followed by study-related activities and 44.1% of students engaged in >8 hrs/day of sedentary time (ST). Compared to students with a normal body mass index …

The Clusters Of Health-Risk Behaviours And Mental Wellbeing And Their Sociodemographic Correlates: A Study Of 15,366 Asean University Students, Apichai Wattanapisit, Hanif Abdul Raman, Josip Car, Khadizah H. Abdul-Mumin, Ma. Henrietta Teresa O. De La Cruz, Michael Chia, Michael Rosenberg, Moon-Ho Ringo Ho, Surasak Chaiyasong, Trias Mahmudiono

Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health Publications

Background

This study investigated, through cluster analysis, the associations between behavioural characteristics, mental wellbeing, demographic characteristics, and health among university students in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) University Network – Health Promotion Network (AUN-HPN) member universities.

Methods

Data were retrieved from a cross-sectional self-administered online survey among undergraduate students in seven ASEAN countries. A two-step cluster analysis was employed, with cluster labels based on the predominant characteristics identified within the clusters. The ‘healthy’ cluster was assigned as the reference group for comparisons using multinomial logistic regression analysis.

Results

The analytic sample size comprised 15,366 university students. Five clusters …

Experience Of A Medical School In The Philippines On The Sudden Shift To Online Learning Amidst Covid-19, Raymundo S. Baquiran, Kirk C. Plata

Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health Publications

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic forced educational institutions to adapt to a full online learning environment. Medical schools in particular were disrupted by this shift since the majority of the learning objectives, skills, and necessary competencies are learned through classroom and hospital face-to-face activities.

Objective

The purpose of this paper is to describe the experiences of a medical school in the country as it navigated the sudden shift to full online learning vis-à-vis a framework on the barriers and solutions to online learning.

Method

This is a descriptive paper written from the perspective and observations of an administrator who participated in …

Prevalence Of Health-Risk Behaviors And Mental Well-Being Of Asean University Students In Covid-19 Pandemic, Hanif Abdul Raman, Areekul Amornsriwatanakul, Khadizah H. Abdul-Mumin, Denny Agustiningsih, Surasak Chaiyasong, Michael Chia, Supat Chupradit, Le Quang Huy, Katiya Ivanovitch, Ma. Henrietta Teresa O. De La Cruz

Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health Publications

The prevalence of epidemiological health-risk behaviors and mental well-being in the COVID-19 pandemic, stratified by sociodemographic factors in Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) university students, were examined in the research. Data were collected in March–June 2021 via an online survey from 15,366 university students from 17 universities in seven ASEAN countries. Analyzed data comprised results on physical activity, health-related behaviors, mental well-being, and sociodemographic information. A large proportion of university students consumed sugar-sweetened beverages (82.0%; 95%CI: 81.4, 82.6) and snacks/fast food daily (65.2%; 95%CI: 64.4, 66.0). About half (52.2%; 95%CI: 51.4, 53.0) consumed less than the recommended daily …

Mid And Long Term Follow Up Of 50 Pediatric Cardiac Chadians Operated In France From 2003 To 2012, Neguemadji N. Ngaba, Jean Philippe Lesbre, Namrata Hange, Maria Kezia Lourdes Ligsay Pormento, Molly Sanjay Jain, Manoj Kumar Reddy Somagutta, Vikash Jaiswal, Uzoego Nwakaku Chibuzo, Imteyaz A. Khan, Sana Irfan Khan

Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health Publications

Introduction

Cardiac valvular diseases (CVDs) are the major cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality globally, with predominance of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in developing countries. Congenital heart defects (CHD) diagnoses are delayed due to socioeconomic factors. This study aims to evaluate the post-operative surgical outcomes of CHD and valvular RHD.

Methods

This study is conducted with 50 patients from Chad, operated on between 2003 and 2012. Post-operative outcomes are evaluated from 2010 to 2012.

Results

With the follow-up of 19 RHD patients who underwent plasty, 8 (42.1%) had no complications, 4 (21%) presented with mild regurgitation, 7 (36.8%) required re-operation …

Arsenic In Groundwater Sources From Selected Communities Surrounding Taal Volcano, Philippines: An Exploratory Study, Geminn Louis C. Apostol, Sary Valenzuela, Xerxes Seposo

Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health Publications

Arsenic (As) is a highly toxic, carcinogenic trace metal that can potentially contaminate groundwater sources in volcanic regions. This study provides the first comparative documentation of As concentrations in groundwater in a volcano-sedimentary region in the Philippines. Matched, repeated As measurements and physico-chemical analyses were performed in 26 individual wells from 11 municipalities and city in Batangas province from July 2020 to November 2021. Using the electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric method, analysis of the wells revealed that in 2020, 23 out of 26 (88.46%) had As levels above the WHO limit of >10 ppb while 20 out of 26 wells …

Global, Regional, And National Sex Differences In The Global Burden Of Tuberculosis By Hiv Status, 1990–2019: Results From The Global Burden Of Disease Study 2019, Jorge R. Ledesma, Arianna Maever L. Amit, Veincent Christian F. Pepito, Gbd 2019 Tuberculosis Collaborators

Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health Publications

Background

Tuberculosis is a major contributor to the global burden of disease, causing more than a million deaths annually. Given an emphasis on equity in access to diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis in global health targets, evaluations of differences in tuberculosis burden by sex are crucial. We aimed to assess the levels and trends of the global burden of tuberculosis, with an emphasis on investigating differences in sex by HIV status for 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019.

Methods

We used a Bayesian hierarchical Cause of Death Ensemble model (CODEm) platform to analyse 21 505 site-years of vital …

What Does “Good” Community And Public Engagement Look Like? Developing Relationships With Community Members In Global Health Research, Gary Hickey, Katie Porter, Doreen Tembo, Una Rennard, Martha Tholanah, Peter Beresford, David Chandler, Moses Chimbari, Tina Coldham, Lisa Dikomitis, Biggy Dziro, Peter O. Ekiikina, Maria I. Khattak, Cristian R. Montenegro, Noni Mumba, Rosemary Musesengwa, Erica Nelson, Clement Nhunzvi, Caroline Mae Ramirez, Sophie Staniszewska

Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health Publications

Community and public engagement (CPE) is increasingly becoming a key component in global health research. The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is one of the leading funders in the UK of global health research and requires a robust CPE element in the research it funds, along with CPE monitoring and evaluation. But what does “good” CPE look like? And what factors facilitate or inhibit good CPE? Addressing these questions would help ensure clarity of expectations of award holders, and inform effective monitoring frameworks and the development of guidance. The work reported upon here builds on existing guidance and is …

Covid-19 Vaccine Brand Hesitancy And Other Challenges To Vaccination In The Philippines, Arianna Maever L. Amit, Veincent Christian F. Pepito, Lourdes S. Tanchanco, Manuel Dayrit

Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health Publications

Effective and safe COVID-19 vaccines have been developed at a rapid and unprecedented pace to control the spread of the virus, and prevent hospitalisations and deaths. However, COVID-19 vaccine uptake is challenged by vaccine hesitancy and anti-vaccination sentiments, a global shortage of vaccine supply, and inequitable vaccine distribution especially among low- and middle-income countries including the Philippines. In this paper, we explored vaccination narratives and challenges experienced and observed by Filipinos during the early vaccination period. We interviewed 35 individuals from a subsample of 1,599 survey respondents 18 years and older in the Philippines. The interviews were conducted in Filipino, …

Determinants Of Consistent Condom Use Among Filipino Women: Results From The 2017 Philippine National Demographic And Health Survey, Veincent Christian F. Pepito, Arianna Maever L. Amit, Clinton S. Tang, Ryan Gabriel C. Molen, Luis Miguel B. Co, Neil Andrew K. Aliazas, Sarah J. De Los Reyes, Lourdes S. Tanchanco

Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health Publications

Background: Consistent condom use in women, defined as the self-reported usage of male condom in every sexual encounter of the respondent with her most recent partner in the last 12 months, had been perennially low in the Philippines. This is despite consistent condom use being a tested and proven public health intervention to prevent unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Considering the high fertility rate, teenage pregnancy rate, and the rapidly increasing incidence of HIV in the country, we identified the determinants of consistent condom use in the Philippines.

Methods: We used data from the individual recode of the 2017 …

Outmigration And Unequal Distribution Of Filipino Physicians And Nurses: An Urgent Call For Investment In Health Human Resource And Systemic Reform, Janine Patricia G. Robredo, Bradley Ong, Michelle Ann B. Eala, Raymond John Naguit

Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health Publications

No abstract provided.

Exposure To Family Planning Messages And Teenage Pregnancy: Results From The 2017 Philippine National Demographic And Health Survey, Veincent Christian F. Pepito, Arianna Maever L. Amit, Clinton S. Tang, Luis Miguel B. Co, Neil Andrew K. Aliazas, Sarah J. De Los Reyes, Raymundo S. Baquiran, Lourdes Bernadette S. Tanchanco

Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health Publications

Background

Teenage pregnancy is known to have physical, emotional, and psychosocial effects. Because of these risks, family planning and contraception messages have been disseminated in various forms of media, but their association with teenage pregnancy has not been studied previously in the Philippines. This study aims to examine the association between exposure to various family planning and contraception messages disseminated in various media channels and pregnancy among Filipino women aged 15–19. The study also intended to examine interactions between the different media channels where these family planning and contraception messages are being disseminated on their effect on teenage pregnancy.

Methods …

Prevalence And Determinants Of Home Delivery In Urban And Rural Philippines: Evidence From The 2017 National Demographic And Health Survey, Arianna Maever L. Amit, Veincent Christian F. Pepito, Sarah J. De Los Reyes, Clinton S. Tang, Neil Andrew K. Aliazas, Lourdes S. Tanchanco

Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health Publications

Background: Women’s choice of place of delivery has implications on maternal and child mortality. This study aims to provide an updated and detailed comparison of prevalence and determinants of home delivery in the Philippines, and in urban and rural communities.

Methods: Based on data from the 2017 Philippine National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), we estimated the prevalence of home delivery and determined factors influencing women’s decision to deliver at home. Analyses were restricted to data from 7229 women who were cohabiting or married, and their last-born child using logistic regression methods for survey data.

Results: There remain a considerable …

How Comprehensive And Effective Are Waste Management Policies During The Covid-19 Pandemic? Perspectives From The Philippines, Geminn Louis C. Apostol, Angelina Gabrielle A. Acolola, Michelle Alexandra Edillon, Sary Valenzuela

Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health Publications

This study presents a comprehensive analysis on policies governing the management of COVID-19 waste in the Philippines, highlighting gaps in pre-existing policies and opportunities for further policy development and adaptation in the context of present and future public health emergencies. A hybrid search strategy and consultative process identified fifty (50) policy documents directly impacting the management of wastes (general domestic, healthcare, and household healthcare waste) released prior to and during the pandemic. Content analysis revealed comprehensive policy coverage on managing general domestic waste and healthcare waste. However, there remains a dearth in policies for managing household healthcare waste, an emerging …

Rationalization Of The Laboratory Diagnosis For Good Management Of Malaria: Lessons From Transitional Methods, Neguemadji N. Ngaba, Imteyaz A. Khan, Namrata Hange, Maria Kezia Lourdes Ligsay Pormento, Manoj Kumar Reddy Somagutta, Ajay Kumar, Youssouf Abdelkerim, Alarangue Djindimadje, Samia Jahan

Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health Publications

Introduction. Malaria is an endemic disease in sub-Saharan Africa. In clinical practice, the main concern is the overdiagnosis of malaria leading to inappropriate drug prescription without laboratory confirmation. Objective. This study aimed to evaluate clinical examination reliability compared with translational laboratory methods of malaria diagnosis. Methods. The study was conducted in Goundi Hospital among hospitalized patients over a seven-month period. Patients were interviewed, and malaria tests done included the Giemsa-stained thick and thin blood smears. Diagnostic accuracy was analysed by calculating sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values. Results. Among 1,874 participants, 674 (35.96%) patients had positive Giemsa-stained …

Prevalence, Determinants And Outcomes Of Traditional, Complementary And Alternative Medicine Use For Hypertension Among Low-Income Households In Malaysia And The Philippines, Lia M. Palileo-Villanueva, Benjamin Palafox, Arianna Maever L. Amit, Veincent Christian F. Pepito, Fadhlina Ab-Majid, Farnaza Ariffin, Dina Balabanova, Mohamad-Rodi Isa, Nafiza Mat-Nasir, Mazapuspavina My

Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health Publications

Background

Traditional, complementary and alternative medicine (TCAM) is used to treat a broad range of conditions. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), TCAM use is particularly common among those with low socio-economic status. To better understand the patterns and impact of TCAM use on the management of non-communicable diseases in these populations, this study examines the prevalence and characteristics of TCAM use for hypertension, its determinants, and its association with hypertension management outcomes and wellbeing among low-income adults in two Southeast Asian countries at different levels of economic and health system development, Malaysia and the Philippines.

Methods

We analysed cross-sectional …

Consumer Health Information Services In Philippine Libraries: Navigating Obstacles And Capitalizing On Opportunities, Joenabie Encanto Arevalo

Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health Publications

The limited role of medical libraries in providing consumer health information services in the Philippines presents a challenge. To address such a challenge, this paper suggests that information professionals, healthcare providers, and the government must collaborate to meet the information needs of healthcare consumers. Information professionals can be crucial in promoting health literacy by providing access to reliable and easy-to-understand health information. They must be equipped with the necessary skills to assess the readability of resources and identify signs of low literacy among library patrons. Librarians should develop more relevant and effective health information services tailored to the specific needs …

The Challenges Of Combatting Antimicrobial Resistance In The Philippines, Janine Patricia G. Robredo, Michelle Ann B. Eala, Joseph A. Paguio, Maria Sonia S. Salamat, Leo Anthony G. Celi

Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health Publications

No abstract provided.

Covid-19 Vaccine Brand Hesitancy And Other Challenges To Vaccination In The Philippines, Arianna Maever L. Amit, Veincent Christian F. Pepito, Lourdes S. Tanchanco, Manuel Dayrit

Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health Publications

Effective and safe COVID-19 vaccines have been developed at a rapid and unprecedented pace to control the spread of the virus, and prevent hospitalisations and deaths. However, COVID-19 vaccine uptake is challenged by vaccine hesitancy and anti-vaccination sentiments, a global shortage of vaccine supply, and inequitable vaccine distribution especially among low- and middle-income countries including the Philippines. In this paper, we explored vaccination narratives and challenges experienced and observed by Filipinos during the early vaccination period. We interviewed 35 individuals from a subsample of 1,599 survey respondents 18 years and older in the Philippines. The interviews were conducted in Filipino, …