Association of comprehensive knowledge on HIV/AIDS and discriminatory attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) among Filipino women

Background@#The Philippines is among the countries with the fastest growth rate of HIV cases in the Asia-Pacific Region. HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination are recognized as major barriers, directly and indirectly inflicting harm to people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Despite this, there is a lack of studies regarding HIV/AIDS discrimination in the Philippines. This study aimed to assess the association between comprehensive knowledge on HIV/AIDS and discriminatory attitudes towards PLWHA among women in the Philippines. @*Methodology@#Secondary data analysis was done using the Philippine National Demographic Health Survey (2017). Twenty two thousand eight hundred thirteen (22,813) Filipino women aged 15-49 years old were included in this study. Multiple logistic regression was performed to determine the association between comprehensive knowledge and discriminatory attitudes. The final model was built using the change in estimate criterion and sampling weights were applied. @*Results@#More than 3 out of 4 (76.87%) had discriminatory attitudes towards PLWHA, whereas only 1 out of 4 (26.24%) had comprehensive knowledge on HIV/AIDS. Results of multiple logistic regression reveal that women without comprehensive knowledge are 2.53 times more likely to have discriminatory attitudes towards PLWHA (OR= 2.53, 95% CI =2.26-2.84). @*Conclusion@#Given that women without comprehensive knowledge are more likely to have discriminatory attitudes, HIV/AIDS campaigns may be strengthened by integrating necessary concepts in comprehensive sexual education and conducting more active nationwide information and education campaign efforts. Moreover, there is a need to formally evaluate the overall effectiveness of existing interventions.

Factors Associated with Anemia among Selected Women of Reproductive Age in Tondo, Manila, Philippines

Background@#Anemia is the most common medical disorder throughout a woman’s life. Given that anemia during reproductive years impacts future gestational and perinatal health, then any factors possibly associated with the disorder should be studied and ultimately addressed. @*Objective@#This study aimed to determine anemia prevalence and its associated factors (socio-demographic, lifestyle, knowledge, dietary and biochemical) among a select group of women of reproductive age (WRA) living in Tondo, Manila. @*Methods@#This is an analytic cross-sectional study that utilized interviewer-assisted questionnaire and blood extraction to collect data from 166 WRA (18-40 years). @*Results@#Anemia prevalence among the study participants was found to be 9.0%. In terms of associated factors, being anemic was found to be more likely if the WRA has these factors: higher parity, graduated from college; unemployed; living in a low-income household; took iron supplements, and; have low knowledge on iron. On the other hand, increase in age, increase intake of heme iron and non-heme iron food sources, and an increase in blood ferritin concentration were factors that made anemia less likely among WRA. @*Conclusion@#Examining these factors provides insight into the multicausal nature of anemia. Thus, prevention and control programs should focus on the contribution and interrelatedness of these factors to address anemia.

Factors associated with unmet need for family planning among young women in the Philippines

@#<p><strong>BACKGROUND:</strong> The sociodemographic shift in sexual initiation, low contraceptive and family planning use pose threat in the reproductive health and well-being of young people. Despite the rise in sexual activity among<br />young people before reaching the age of 18, prevalence of contraceptive use remains low while unmet need for family planning among married and sexually active women is consistently highest among women 15-19 years old compared to any other age group.</p><p><strong>OBJECTIVE:</strong> The observed trend in the reproductive health practices of young people, as well as the paucity of literature on adolescent reproductive health, warrant the need for studies that focus on family planning and sexual behavior of young people. This study aims to determine the factors associated with unmet need for family planning among sexually active women aged 15-19 years in the Philippines.</p><p><strong>METHODS:</strong> This study used the data from the National Demographic Health Survey 2017. The analysis included only the fecund and sexually active women aged 15-19 years old. Logistic regression was performed in order to determine the significant predictors of unmet need for family planning among young women.</p><p><strong>RESULTS:</strong> Sixty-eight percent of women reported secondary education as the highest level of education attended. Knowledge on modern family planning method is high at 99% while the proportion of women with<br />knowledge of ovulatory cycle, and knowledge on possibility of getting pregnant after giving birth and before the return of menstrual cycle are 21% and 61%, respectively. The proportion of women who responded that<br />their husbands/partners desire the same number of children is 68%. Multiple logistic regression and stepwise selection procedure showed that husband's fertility preference is a significant predictor of having unmet need.</p><p><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> Addressing the issue on low family planning and contraceptive use among young women in the Philippines requires concerted efforts that aim to cater to the needs of both men and women in this age group.<br />The consistently low family planning practice among young people despite the overall improvement in the proportion of family planning users among women indicates the need for variability in strategies that target<br />young and older age groups. Further research should be conducted in order to gain better understanding of the determinants of unmet need for family planning among young people.</p>