Readiness of clients in returning to face-to-face therapy in an outpatient rehabilitation clinic: a preliminary study

BACKGROUND@#The Clinic for the Therapy Services (CTS) has considered reverting to face-to-face service delivery due to the downward trend in COVID-19 cases in the Philippines. However, the clinic has yet to investigate the willingness of the clients to this mode as a basis for its effective implementation.@*OBJECTIVES@#The study described the readiness of CTS clients in returning to face-to-face therapy amidst the pandemic. It also discussed the factors affecting readiness based on a survey.@*METHODOLOGY@#Fifty-five screened survey responses on the readiness of clients in returning to face-to-face therapy were gathered from January 30 to February 28, 2021. These underwent retrospective data analysis. Eight prospective online key informant interviews were conducted for clarifications in May 2022. This study utilized a descriptive analysis of quantitative categorical variables and a thematic content analysis of qualitative data.@*RESULTS@#The majority of the respondents (35) stated readiness to attend face-to-face therapy followed by those who answered “No” (11), “Maybe” (5), and others (4). Factors that may have affected readiness included travel, characteristics of face-to-face therapy, health conditions, vaccine, and COVID-19 concerns. Frequently preferred health and safety strategies were the provision of hygiene products, disinfection, limited people inside the clinic, separate therapy areas, and ventilation.@*CONCLUSION@#Most of the respondents expressed willingness to receive face-to-face therapy in April or May of 2021. Feasibility of travel and decreased number of COVID-19 cases may have encouraged willingness to attend. Those who were hesitant reported concerns with traveling, characteristics of face-to-face therapy, health conditions, the COVID-19 situation, and the vaccine.

Student characteristics associated with the level of physical activity in undergraduate students: An observational study

Background@#Levels of physical activity are thought to decline from childhood to early adulthood. Understanding the level of physical activity and its associated factors among undergraduate students is critical to promote health benefits and reduce their risk for certain diseases. @*Objectives@#This study aimed to identify the factors that are associated with the level of physical activity among undergraduate students. @*Methodology@#In this cross-sectional, observational study, the physical activity of 489 undergraduate students enrolled in the University of the Philippines Manila was measured. Physical activity was measured using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire Version 2. Multiple linear regression was done to analyze the association between physical activity and variables including age, sex, belonging to degree-granting units that do clinical placements, year level, current enrolment in physical education course, and membership in sportsrelated organization. @*Results@#Students were, on average, physically active 112 minutes per day and sedentary 536 minutes per day. Enrolment in a physical education course (B 79, 95% CI 44 to 115), membership in sports-related organization (B 105, 95% CI 54 to 157), and sedentary time (B -0.13, 95% CI -0.19 to -0.07) were associated with the level of physical activity. These three variables explained 10% of the variance in physical activity. @*Conclusion@#Undergraduate students were physically active but spent most of their day sedentary. Physical activity was associated with enrolment in a physical education course, membership in a sports-related organization, and sedentary time. Results of this study could inform decisions on strategies to facilitate active lifestyles for students to carry over healthy physical activity habits into adulthood.