Prevalence of depression among seafarers and maritime workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A meta-analysis

Background@#The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the psychological and mental health of seafarers and maritime workers, and a considerable proportion have experienced depression. Cognizant of the different work-related factors and pandemic-related factors which may contribute to depression, it is imperative to determine the prevalence of depression among seafarers and maritime workers to develop appropriate intervention and management@*Objective@#To determine the prevalence of depression among seafarers and maritime workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.@*Methods@#This is a random-effects meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies estimating the prevalence of depression among seafarer and maritime workers during the COVID-19 pandemic period. The proportion of respondents with depression, using standardized depression assessment tools, and the sample sizes of each study were extracted and recorded in an abstraction form. Pooled estimate of depression was analyzed using the metaprop command of STATA MP@*Results@#The search yielded a total of 555 articles, with only 4 eligible articles included for analyses. From the included studies, 75% had good quality of evidence while 25% had fair quality. Analysis showed that the overall pooled prevalence of depression at 28% (ES=0.28, z=4.69, p=0.001, 95% CI=0.16–0.39) was statistically significant during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there was a substantially high heterogeneity among the included the studies (χ2=125.41, p=0.001, I2=97.61%, τ2=0.01). @*Conclusion@#Depression is a real-life, yet underreported and underdiagnosed problem among seafarers and maritime workers before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. This result stresses the need for policy and practice changes such as implementation of screening programs to determine and evaluate depression or depressive symptoms; modification of existing protocols in performing pre-employment medical examinations with additional focus on the psychological health and well-being; and, provision of appropriate intervention such as psychological health education, counseling, and appropriate referral.

Community-oriented health care during a COVID-19 epidemic: A consensus statement by the PAFP task force on COVID-19

Initial Planning@#Statement 1: A Community-oriented Health Care Plan that contains tasks and activities related to the community organization, environment, health care and social processes in order to mitigate the effect of the COVID-19 epidemic on the community should be developed. Statement 2: The plan should also include adjustments needed to continue the delivery of other health services i.e. maternal and child health, immunization, treatment of other communicable and non-communicable disease but with strict COVID-19 transmission precautions.@*Adjustment in the Community Organization and Environment@#Statement 3: A local task force should be organized to develop and implement the community health plan. The task force should be recognized and supported by the whole community. Statement 4: A facility in the barangay that can be used for isolation in case that a member will be diagnosed to have mild COVID-19. A hospital facility for referral of high-risk cases should also be identified and an emergency referral and transport plan should be established. Statement 5: All community health workers should wear appropriate personal protective equipment in the process of performing their community health work. Statement 6: Households in the community who have members at high-risk i.e. more than 60 years old, with existing chronic illness or other life-threatening condition should be identified and advised to take extra precautions i.e. personal hygiene, wearing mask and physical distancing. Statement 7: During the declared community quarantine period by the community or higher-level authority, all community members and household should be advised to stay at home, limit celebrations and community gatherings@*Performance of Routine Tasks and Activities@#Statement 8: A community-directed information, education and communication (IEC) plan should be developed and implemented for the following: a) Informing every household in the community on the basic and accurate information about COVID-19 and the community plan. b) Encouraging everyone to practice personal hygiene that includes regular and appropriate hand washing, daily bath, coughing and sneezing etiquette, wearing of mask, minimizing hand contact with eyes, nose and mouth and strict personal use of eating utensils, bath towels, etc. c) Encouraging everyone to clean everyday frequently touched surface like doorknobs, light and appliance control switch, gadgets, armchairs and tabletops. Cleaning agents can be ordinary detergents and water or 70% alcohol. d) Encouraging everyone to report and seek help to the community health worker if a household member is exposed and developed mild symptoms of COVID-19@*What to Do When a Member or Household is Exposed or Diagnosed COVID-19@#Statement 9: If there is a household whose member is exposed to a COVID-19, the person should be encouraged to stay home preferably in a room or area adequate for isolation, wear mask and maintain at least 2 meters physical distance from other family members. Statement 10: Other household members should be advised to watch out and monitor for the appearance of symptoms like fever, colds and cough. If the person is low risk but there is difficulty of breathing or worsening of symptoms or if the person is high risk i.e. elderly or with existing chronic disease and symptoms appear, they encouraged to inform the community health worker and facilitate the necessary referral and transport arrangement to the hospital. Call first before going. Statement 11: If the symptoms are mild, continue home isolation or in the isolation facility identified by the community, take over-thecounter medications like paracetamol for fever, increase water intake and ensure adequate nutrition, sleep and rest. Family members and community health workers are encouraged to provide psychological and social support to isolated patients. Discontinuation of isolation can be done if symptoms resolve within 14-21 days@*Epidemiology and Surveillance@#Statement 12: The municipal or city health office should be provided daily with a situation report of the implementation of communityoriented health care for COVID-19. Situation report should include: a) The number of exposed, number of diagnosed cases, number of mild cases, number of cases referred to the hospital and number of cases recovered or died in the community. b) Brief description of best practices

Family-focused home care plan during a COVID 19 epidemic: A consensus statement by the PAFP task force on COVID 19

Initial Planning@#Statement 1: Develop a Family-focused Care Plan that contains tasks and activities related to the family structure, home environment and processes in order to mitigate the effect of the COVID-19 epidemic@*Adjustment in the Family Structure and Home Environment@#Statement 2: Identify a Family Caregiver who will remind the family to follow and implement the plan. Make sure this person is supported by all the members of the family. Statement 3: Identify a room or area that can be used for isolation in the event that a family member will be exposed to a diagnosed COVID-19 patient. Statement 4: Identify those who are at risk i.e. more than 60 years old, with existing chronic illness or other life-threatening condition and advice to take extra precaution. Statement 5: During the declared community quarantine period, all family members should stay at home, limit family celebrations, avoid home parties with outside guests, cancel travels as much as possible and be ready to have more members staying at home@*Performance of Routine Tasks and Activities @#Statement 6: Practice personal hygiene that includes regular and appropriate hand washing, daily bath, cough and sneezing etiquette, minimize hand contact with eyes, nose and mouth and strict personal use of eating utensils, bath towels, etc. Statement 7: Daily cleaning of frequently touched surface like doorknobs, light and appliance control switch, gadgets, armchairs and tabletops. Cleaning agents can be ordinary detergents and water or 70% alcohol@*What to Do When a Member is Exposed@#Statement 8: Advice an exposed family member to stay home and in the room or area allocated for isolation, wear mask and maintain at least 2 meters physical distance from the other family members. Make sure their clothing, personal belongings and other things that they usually hold is cleaned regularly and not touch by other members. Statement 9: Watch out and monitor for the appearance of symptoms like fever, colds and cough. If the person exposed is low risk and there is difficulty of breathing or worsening of symptoms, consult your family doctor. If the person is high risk i.e. elderly or with exiting chronic disease and symptoms appear, consult your family doctor right away. Call first before going to the clinic or hospital. Statement 10: If the symptoms are mild, continue home quarantine, take over-the-counter medications like paracetamol for fever, increase water intake and ensure adequate nutrition, sleep and rest. Other family members are encouraged to provide psychological and social support to an exposed and isolated member. Statement 11: Symptoms usually resolved within 14 days, after which home quarantine can be discontinued between 14-21 days. If symptoms persist beyond 14 days consult your family doctor for advice

Clinical pathways for the management of hypertension in family and community practice

@#<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>BACKGROUND:</strong> Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The prevalence of hypertension in the Western Pacific Region is 37% of adults older than 24, while in the Philippines it is 25% of adults 21 years old and above. Several guidelines have been developed for the management of hypertension. All these guidelines have recommendations for assessment and treatment.<br /><strong>OBJECTIVES:</strong> The overall objective of the development and implementation of this clinical pathway is to improve outcomes of patients with hypertension seen in family and community practice.<br /><strong>METHODS:</strong> The PAFP Clinical Pathways Group reviewed published medical literature to identify, summarize, and operationalize the clinical content of diagnostics, interventions and clinical indicators or outcomes to develop an evidence-based clinical pathway in family medicine practice. The group developed a time-related representation of recommendations on patient care processes, in terms of history and physical examination, laboratory tests, pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions as well as social and community strategies to treat hypertension and prevent complications.<br /><strong>RECOMMENDATIONS:</strong> Recommendations were made based on the number of visits. During the first visit, all adult patients consulting at the clinic should be screened for hypertension with appropriate BP measurement. A thorough history focusing on symptoms, family history using genogram, smoking and other lifestyle and co-existing chronic disease and a thorough physical examination focusing on the weight/BMI, waist/hip ration, funduscopy, neurological, cardiac, renal and peripheral arteries should be done. For the laboratory, request for 12-lead ECG, urinalysis, FBS, creatinine, serum K and lipid profile to determine co-morbidities and baseline values. If the patient is already diagnosed hypertensive, start/continue medications with either or a combination of thiazide-type diuretic, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blocker depending on co-morbidities or side effects. But if there is a need for further confirmation, no medication is warranted. Educate the patient about hypertension, risk factors and complications. If medications were prescribed, explain the dose, frequency, intended effect, possible side effects and importance of medication adherence. Lifestyle modifications focusing on weight control, exercise and smoking cessation should be advised. During the first first visit is expected that the patient is aware of the diagnosis of hypertension, its risks factors and complications to encourage compliance.<br /><strong>IMPLEMENTATION:</strong> Education, training and audit are recommended strategies to implement the clinical pathway.</p>

The Family Medicine Integrated Clinical Pathways Project (FM ICliP): Methods of development and implementation

@#<p style="text-align: justify;">Continuing care in family and community medicine is a dynamic process that requires regular patient assessments and adjustments of treatment strategies as the patient goes through the wellness and disease process. Family and community physicians need to be aware of any changes in the patient's clinical condition and re-assess therapeutic interventions when such changes occur. The use of clinical pathways can optimize the management of patients with a given disorder in our setting. The overall goal of the project is to improve the quality of health care in Philippine family and community medicine practice.<br />Clinical pathway is defined as a "tool to guide family and community medicine practitioners to implement evidence- based care and holistic interventions to specific group of patients and populations within a specific timeframe adjusted for acceptable variations that may be due to patient and practice setting characteristics designed to achieve optimum health outcome for the patient and community and efficient use of health care resources." In this definition, holistic interventions refer to interventions directed to the individual patient within the context of the family and community. In this context the PAFP Clinical Pathways Project will be developed to promote and implement the clinical pathways in family and community medicine. The PAFP Clinical Pathways Project will be implemented by a group who will review published medical literature to identify, summarize and operationalize the clinical content of diagnostics, interventions and clinical indicators or outcomes to develop an evidence-based clinical pathway in family medicine practice. The group will also identify processes and indicators to measure the effect of implementation of clinical pathways. Linear time-related representations of patient care processes, in terms of assessments, pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions as well as social and community strategies to prevent complications and maintain wellness will be developed. The clinical pathways will be disseminated to the general PAFP membership and other stakeholders for consensus development. We hope that with this process, family and community medicine practitioners will be dedicated to a common goal and overcome organizational, personal, and professional perspectives barriers to the implementation of the clinical pathway.<br />The implementation of the clinical pathways to be adopted by the PAFP will include a nation-wide dissemination, education, quality improvement initiatives and feedback. Dissemination will be in a form of publication in the Family Filipino Physician Journal, conference presentations and focused group discussions. Quality improvement activities will be in a form of patient record reviews, audit and feedback. Audit standards will be the assessment and intervention recommendations in the clinical pathway. Variations will be discussed in focused group meeting and feedback sessions. The clinical pathways recommendations may also be revised if the variations are justified. Quality improvement activities will also be used to identify barriers in the implementation of clinical pathway. An electronic medical information system may also be used to facilitate the implementation.<br />To monitor the implementation of clinical pathways the PAFP need to select, define and use outcomes and impact to monitor the success of implementation. Outcomes and impact will be at the practice level and the organizational level. Practice level can be a simple count of family and community medicine practice using and applying the clinical pathways. Patient outcomes will also be measured based on quality improvement reports. Organizational outcomes can be activities of the PAFP devoted to the promotion, development, dissemination and implementation of clinical pathways.</p>