Association of family function, demographic and clinical characteristics with Glycemic control among patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus seen at primary care clinics in Las Piñas City

Background and Objective@#The family plays an important role in the management of patients with Diabetes Mellitus. In this study, the authors determined the association between family function using the APGAR questionnaire with glycemic control among Type 2 diabetic patients. Association between demographic and clinical characteristics with glycemic control was also assessed.@*Methods@#This was a cross-sectional study of 237 adults ages 18 years old and above with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus seen in Healthway clinics in Las Piñas between April 2021 to May 2021. Data from participants were obtained through a self-administered questionnaire and review of recent HbA1c results. The questionnaire contained 3 sections which included sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the participants, their recent HbA1c result, and Family APGAR score. Multiple logistic regression analysis was done to determine the association of glycemic control with family function, demographic, and clinical factors. @*Results@#Four variables were noted to be significantly associated with glycemic control- family function (p<0.0001), duration of being diabetic (p=0.021), diabetes regimen (p=0.013), and comorbidity status (p=0.021). Respondents with functional families as evaluated from their Family APGAR scores were 6 times more likely to have good glycemic control (OR 6.204) compared to those with dysfunctional families. Respondents with ≤10 years duration of diabetes (OR 4.051) and on both oral and insulin therapy (OR 9.639) are more likely to have good glycemic control. Respondents with comorbidities (OR 0.465) are less likely to achieve good glycemic control@*Conclusion@#Family APGAR score, duration of diabetes, type of diabetes regimen, and presence of comorbidities should be highlighted in diabetic management as they may influence glycemic control. This supports the need to include family assessment (especially family function) in the routine care of diabetic patients, and to address family issues which may hinder achievement of glycemic targets.

Factors associated with willingness of parents to vaccinate their children against COVID-19 in primary care clinics in Cavite: A cross-sectional study

Background@#The recent inclusion of the pediatric population aged 12-17 years old in the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in the country is necessary in order to increase vaccine coverage, and eventually achieve herd immunity. Vaccination of those in this age group is dependent on the vaccine acceptance of their parents or respective caregivers.@*Objective@#The study’s primary aim was to determine factors associated with parents’ intent to vaccinate their children against COVID-19. Specifically, this study aims to determine: 1. parent and child factors that influence the parents willingness to have their children vaccinated, 2. external factors in the decision to vaccinate their children, that is, if it is recommended by the doctor or school, and 3. concerns of parents regarding vaccination@*Methods@#A multi-clinic cross-sectional analytic study design was used. Respondents were parents in select Healthway Family Clinics in Cavite. Data were gathered via self-administered questionnaires, adapted and modified with permission from the authors of The COVID States Project. Data were analyzed using Epi Info 7.@*Results@#Among 350 respondents, 73.71% are most likely to vaccinate their children against COVID-19 once the vaccine becomes available to them. The major parental concerns are: long term health effects (56.29%), whether it has been tested enough (54.86%), immediate side effects (54.57%), and whether the vaccine actually works (54%). There is an association between the willingness of parents to vaccinate their children with the age and COVID-19 vaccination status of parent, and age and EPI immunization status of the child. Parents consider doctors’ and school’s recommendations to be very important factors in their decision to vaccinate their children@*Conclusion@#Majority of participants are likely to have their children vaccinated. Knowledge of associated factors and parental concerns gives the researchers better understanding of vaccine hesitancy amongst parents. This is vital to promote vaccination in the clinic setting, and on a much larger scale, in the local and national government’s public health strategies.

Management of allergic rhinitis in general practitioners

For patients suffering from allergic rhinitis (AR), general practitioners (GPs) are often their first source of medical advice. It is one of the top-ten reasons for a visit to the primary care clinics and AR was estimated to be 10-40% of the total patient visits in about 50% of the primary care clinics. The standard of management for AR among GPs is thus a key outcome assessment of AR management and implementation of international guidelines in general healthcare practice.