A comparative study on health risks, lifestyle behaviors, health perceptions, and health seeking patterns between older and younger Filipinos in the rural areas

BACKGROUND@#Worldwide trends in health risks, lifestyle behaviors, health perceptions, and health-seeking patterns suggest alarming disparities among individuals from low- and middle-income countries. Such international comparisons are particularly troubling for older individuals (≥60 years).@*OBJECTIVES@#This study aims to compare health risks, lifestyle behaviors, health perceptions, and health-seeking patterns between younger (<60) and older (≥60) Filipinos from rural communities in the Philippines.@*METHODS@# A comparative cross-sectional study was employed with 863 younger and 427 older Filipinos. Data were analyzed using frequencies, chi-squares, and T-tests.@*RESULTS@#Older participants were more likely to be single/widowed, ≤ high school education and had higher rates of hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, and depression. They reported poorer health status and went to the village health center when sick. Furthermore, they were less likely to drink alcohol and see a physician.@*CONCLUSION@#There were significant differences in modifiable health risks and lifestyle behaviors and differences in health perceptions between younger and older cohorts of Filipinos living in rural areas in the Philippines. Our findings suggest the need to design separate health promotion interventions that target older and younger Filipinos' unique needs from rural communities.

Determinants of anticipated turnover of nurses in selected hospitals in Metro Manila

Background@#Nurses comprise the largest group of health professionals in the Philippines, and turnover remains a challenge to the workforce and healthcare system. Understanding the extent of the problem and multiple factors related to turnover rates is crucial in retaining nurses in the organization and profession. @*Objectives@#The study aimed to (1) describe and compare nurses' turnover intention, (2) identify factors for nurses' turnover intention, and (3) determine factors to promote nurses' retention in their current organization. @*Methodology@#This descriptive, cross-sectional, and correlational study was conducted through a survey that sought the participants' sociodemographic and work-related characteristics and their perceived practice environment, job satisfaction, organizational commitment, job stress, and alternative job opportunities. Additional questions were added to identify the participants' reasons for their intention to leave their current job and stay in their current organizations. @*Results@#The final sample comprised 297 nurses. Significant differences in the nurses' turnover intention scores were found across multiple demographic, personal, and work-related factors. The final multiple logistic regression model revealed that 'influence of peers to leave,' 'desire to try new things,' practice environment, and organizational commitment were significant factors in the nurses' turnover intention. Staff nurses perceived practice environment (n=246) as the primary reason to stay in their current organization while it was compensation and benefits (n=25) for nurse managers. @*Conclusion@#A collaborative approach among the sectors of a healthcare organization is needed to develop a policy framework that advocates and promotes positive practice environment, job satisfaction, career progression, and personal well-being among nurses and other healthcare workers.

Capacity needs assessment of primary health care providers in selected municipalities in Cavite

PURPOSE@#Primary Health Care (PHC) refers to essential health care that is made accessible, acceptable and affordable to individuals and families in the community. As such, it is imperative for PHC providers to possess the necessary competencies responsive to the current health care demands. This study aims to determine the current capacity of PHC providers and their need for capability building.@*METHODS@#The study employed a quantitative descriptive design with 87 purposively-selected PHC providers and five administrators from selected rural municipalities in Cavite. It is adapted from the study, “Capacity-building of primary healthcare providers in 10+3 Southeast and East Asian Nursing Education and Research Network (SEANERN) countries”.@*RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS@#The perceived level of knowledge of the PHC providers on the elements of PHC were all rated to be proficient. Maternal and child care received the highest score, while health education received the lowest score. The perceived level of skills of the PHC providers was also rated to be proficient. Sanitation and water received the highest score, while treatment of common diseases and injuries received the lowest score. Similar to the perceived levels of knowledge and skills, the perceived level of attitudes of the PHC providers were also proficient, with environmental sanitation having the highest score but treatment of common diseases and injuries having the lowest score. However, from the perspective of health administrators, they rated the PHC providers one level lower or needs minimal support. Training and capacity building in all elements of PHC was identified as the most needed by the PHC providers. Their most preferred method of training is workshop.@*CONCLUSIONS@#There are high perceived levels of knowledge, skills, and attitudes of the PHC providers in the elements of PHC. Despite the high scores, objective outcomes such as the MMR and immunization coverage do not reflect the proficient scores of the PHC providers. There are also other health conditions and issues such as noncommunicable diseases and injuries that need to be addressed using PHC approach. Given this, it is vital that appropriate training and adequate hiring of PHC providers be reinforced nationwide in order to meet the health goals and needs of the country.

Blood pressure measurement training program and adherence of public health nurses to BP measurement guidelines

@#<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>OBJECTIVE:</strong> To compare the level of adherence of public health nurses to BP measurement guidelines based on their knowledge of the guidelines and skills in BP measurement before and after Blood Pressure Measurement Training Program (BPMTP).</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>METHODS:</strong> An experimental pre- and post-test design using twostaged cluster randomization was conducted. 118 PHNs (mean age ± 38.45 years, mean years of experience ± 13.45 years; 84.1% women) from six districts in Manila were equally assigned to either the BPMTP group or control group. Structured instruments were used.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>RESULTS:</strong> Demographic characteristics, current BP measurement practices, and level of adherence to BP measurement guidelines based on knowledge of the guidelines and skills in BP measurement were equivalent in both groups at baseline.Nurses in the BPMTP group showed improved adherence (p=<0.05) compared to nurses in the control group. Both groups did not show significant change in their skill on recording, interpretation, and referral (p=1.000).</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> This study showed that Blood Pressure Measurement Training Package is feasible in improving adherence of nurses based on their increased knowledge of the BP measurement guidelines and skills in BP measurement. A larger-scale study is warranted to show that BPMTP can potentially improve clinical management of hypertension in public health clinics globally.</p>