Food and nutrition security in the Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic / Journal of Rural Medicine

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic placed the Philippines’ food and nutrition issues front and center. In this paper, we discuss the response of its government in addressing food and nutrition security at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and describe its implications on nutritional status. We also cite initiatives that address food accessibility and availability in the communities. Lastly, we explore the importance of nutrition security dimension in food security.Methods: We analyze food and nutrition security issues in the Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic through online reports and news articles.Results: The distribution of food and financial assistance in the country was extensive, albeit insufficient, considering the prolonged lockdown restrictions. Constantly changing community quarantine guidelines have affected the movement of food supply, delivery of health services, and household economic security. Nutrition programs, such as vitamin A supplementation, feeding for children, and micronutrient supplementation for pregnant women, had lower coverage rates, and by the latter half of 2020, the country had reached its highest recorded hunger rate. Cases of both undernutrition and overnutrition are predicted to rise because of dietary imbalances and a variety of factors. Conversely, community members and some local government units took it upon themselves to improve the food situation in their areas. The provision of food packs containing fresh fruits and vegetables was lauded, as it exemplified a conscious effort to deal with nutrition security.Conclusion: Efforts to address food security have always focused on increasing accessibility, availability, and affordability, often neglecting the nutritional components of foods. Strategies that incorporate nutrition security into food security are much needed in the country, especially during emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Factors Associated with Anemia among Selected Women of Reproductive Age in Tondo, Manila, Philippines

Background@#Anemia is the most common medical disorder throughout a woman’s life. Given that anemia during reproductive years impacts future gestational and perinatal health, then any factors possibly associated with the disorder should be studied and ultimately addressed. @*Objective@#This study aimed to determine anemia prevalence and its associated factors (socio-demographic, lifestyle, knowledge, dietary and biochemical) among a select group of women of reproductive age (WRA) living in Tondo, Manila. @*Methods@#This is an analytic cross-sectional study that utilized interviewer-assisted questionnaire and blood extraction to collect data from 166 WRA (18-40 years). @*Results@#Anemia prevalence among the study participants was found to be 9.0%. In terms of associated factors, being anemic was found to be more likely if the WRA has these factors: higher parity, graduated from college; unemployed; living in a low-income household; took iron supplements, and; have low knowledge on iron. On the other hand, increase in age, increase intake of heme iron and non-heme iron food sources, and an increase in blood ferritin concentration were factors that made anemia less likely among WRA. @*Conclusion@#Examining these factors provides insight into the multicausal nature of anemia. Thus, prevention and control programs should focus on the contribution and interrelatedness of these factors to address anemia.

Mental health stigma among Filipinos: Time for a paradigm shift

This paper aimed to provide a review of mental health stigma in the Philippines, its implications on policy and programs, and interventions on addressing the issue. Stigma towards people with mental illnesses in the Philippines is rampant; there seems to be lack of sensitivity in referencing mental health issues. Many forms of stigma affect people with mental illnesses. Stigmatizing attitudes and discriminatory behaviors are evident at home, school, workplace and healthcare settings. Stigma is a major barrier to the recovery of mentally ill persons. Increasing the awareness of the public on mental illnesses through health education and promotion is already an established intervention. Various strategies can also be done, such as integrating culture and arts, by providing incentives to companies which have mental health policies, and recognizing institutions and media agencies which promote positive portrayals of people with mental illnesses.