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.

Looking into the health profile of Barangay San Agustin in San Fernando City, La Union

INTRODUCTION: This study describes the community health status of Barangay (village) San Agustin in San Fernando City, La Union Province, with the aim of identifying key health problems in the community that would be the focus for the next summer immersions.METHODOLOGY: Data on the community was gathered via community ocular inspection, house-to-house surveys, inspection of barangay health records, and informal interviews. Data was analyzed qualitatively.RESULTS: The community consisted predominantly of one-income households with dependence on manual labor as the source of income (76%). This affected the daily budget for basic necessities, most notably for food. Cough (45%), colds (34%) and fever (50%) were the most common illnesses, particularly for children below five years of age (47%). This age group of children was often listed with low to very low birth weight and low weight for age (52%). There was no problem with regard to environmental health and sanitation, and with regard to health services, manpower and facilities, 92% of residents avail of services in the health center.CONCLUSION: Next community immersions will focus on children's health and nutrition.