A descriptive study identifying gaps in the effective implementation of mercury-containing device phase-out in selected DOH-retained hospitals

@#<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:</strong> After the 2008 phase-out of mercury-containing medical devices, the implementation status was evaluated by this study to know the program effectiveness in removing mercury exposure risks in health facilities.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>METHODS:</strong> A cross-sectional survey was done to determine the amount of mercury stored in ten selected Department of Health (DOH)-retained hospitals. Key informant interviews were also performed with Pollution Control Officers to determine their program implementation status, strengths, and areas for improvement.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:</strong> All hospitals initiated the mercury minimization program but none has fully implemented it. The total amount recorded is 213.5 kg for mercury-containing materials. A discrepancy of 31.4% exists compared to the initial 2008 inventory of 312.7 kg. The main strength identified by the key informants was the one-time collection of mercury devices in hospitals. Hospitals need administrative and logistic support to properly implement mercury phase-out, particularly on monitoring of temporary storage. Disposal protocols should also be created to fully eliminate mercury exposure in hospitals.</p>

Perceptions and health-seeking behaviour of two young women with Iatrogenic premature menopause

Background@#Premature menopause is a frequently overlooked condition with significant morbidity without timely intervention.@*Objective@#This descriptive study explored the perceptions, concerns, and health-seeking behavior of two women diagnosed with premature menopause, regarding their illness.@*Methods@#Authors interviewed two nulligravid patients less than 30 years old diagnosed with premature menopause. Verbal consent was sought prior to the interview. An interview guide adapted from the Explanatory Model (Kleinman) to probe each patient's perceptions, concerns and health-seeking behaviour regarding PM was used. Data validation was immediately sought after the interview with each patient before analysis. Thematic analysis was used to explore the patients' perceptions (physical, psychological, and social effects of PM) and health-seeking behavior that resulted from these effects.@*Results@#Results showed that vasomotor symptoms, infertility, and treatment costs are important issues for these patients to help them undertsand their illness. The neglected role of physicians in fully disclosing the effects of the disease is highlighted in one patient that hindered her from making informed choices for treatment. The behavioural responses of these patients were influenced by the following factors: ability to make informed decisions over disease management, degree of disruption of activities of daily living, infertility, amount of social and financial support.@*Conclusion@#Looking at the underlying motivations of women diagnosed with premature menopause about their illness may help physicians better understand patients' circumstances, how it affects them and their families, and their expected recovery process.