Prevalence and reasons for non-follow-up of newborns with "refer" results on initial hearing screening

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence rate of follow-up among infants who had a "refer" result on initial newborn hearing screening and to identify reasons for default by parents or guardians.METHODS:Design: Cross-Sectional StudySetting: Tertiary National University HospitalParticipants: 79 parents or guardians whose newborns obtained a "refer" result on initial hearing screening were interviewed over the phone.RESULTS: Among those babies who had a "refer" result on initial hearing screening, 51% followed up for repeat testing. The most common reasons for non-follow up by parents or guardians include being busy, distance from the hospital and baby's health condition.CONCLUSIONS: The follow-up rate in this study is higher compared to previous figures (27%), but is still below target. The reasons for non-follow-up obtained suggest problems may exist on all levels of the healthcare system. Appropriate solutions to address these problems should be explored.

Granulation tissue mimicking a glomus tumor in a patient with chronic middle ear infection

@#<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>OBJECTIVE:</strong> To present an unusual cause of pulsatile tinnitus, presenting in a young adult suffering from chronic recurrent foul-smelling discharge from the same ear.<br /><strong>METHODS:</strong><br /><strong>Design:</strong> Case Report<br /><strong>Setting:</strong> Tertiary National University Hospital<br /><strong>Patient:</strong> One<br /><strong>RESULTS:</strong> A 24 year-old woman presented with pulsatile tinnitus on a background of chronic recurrent foul-smelling discharge. Clinico-radiologic findings seemed consistent with a glomus tympanicum coexisting with chronic suppurative otitis media with cholesteatoma. She underwent tympanomastoidectomy with excision of the mass. Histopathologic evaluation revealed the mass to be granulation tissue.<br /><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> Pulsatile tinnitus is rarely associated with chronic middle ear infection. Granulation tissue arising at the promontory may mimic glomus tumors when accompanied with this symptom. Despite this revelation, it would still be prudent to prepare for a possible glomus tumor intraoperatively so that profuse bleeding and complications may be avoided.</p>

A cross-sectional triangulation analysis of the knowledge, attitudes and practices of patients from the endocrinology clinic of the Philippine General Hospital on the use of herbal dietary supplements

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of a selected population of patients on herbal dietary supplements (HDS).METHOD: Methodological triangulation was used to generate a conceptual framework on HDS KAP. A survey of 175 patients was performed to measure knowledge and attitudes regarding HDS and SPSS was used for data analysis. Inverviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted to further explore the attitudes and practices, and constant comparison method was used for analysis of responses.RESULTS: Respondents were generally aware of HDS. Majority of survey respondents believed that HDS are different from conventional drugs (52.0%, pThe attitude toward HDS was generally positive. Majority (64.0%, pAmong the survey respondents, only 22% were HDS users. Family was shown to promote use while cost deterred their use.CONCLUSION: Individual knowledge and attitudes on HDS exert significant influence toward HDS practices. Factors that promote use are poor knowledge and positive attitudes toward HDS. Good knowledge seems to lead to judicious use or non-use.