Building back better: resilient environmental and occupational health systems for the next global crisis

@#Even after two years, the COVID-19 pandemic still disrupts public activities and services as it exposes vulnerabilities among the population and negatively impacts environmental conditions. The crisis also impeded global progress toward achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The Fourth Environmental and Occupational Health (EOH) Forum held virtually on November 25 to 26, 2021 provided a venue for learning about local and international COVID-19 responses to help prepare for the next global crisis. Through the systems thinking approach, the discussions prioritized analyses of leadership and governance, financing, human resource, technologies, information management, and service delivery. These analyses focused on community and/or workplace programs and services linked to air quality, waste management, psychosocial wellness, and COVID-19 vaccination. The forum amplified calls for climate actions and public health improvement and emphasized the significance of a collaborative, evidence-based, integrated public health response to a crisis underscoring the apparent interdependence of the SDGs.

Geographic information system-based spatial modelling of soil-transmitted Helminth Infections among preschool-aged children in Masbate, Philippines

Objectives@#Since the effectiveness of the Zero Open Defecation (ZOD) program as a scaling-up approach in lowering the rates of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections has not yet been locally explored, this study aimed to (1) describe the association between environmental determinants and STH cumulative prevalence, and (2) to predict the 2020 STH cumulative prevalence. @*Methods@#A generalized linear regression (GLR) model was used to determine the association of 2014–2015 environmental determinants and observed 2015 STH cumulative prevalence, while a geographically weighted regression (GWR) model was used to produce predicted 2020 STH cumulative prevalence. @*Results@#ArcGIS’ GLR tool with R2 of 63% found that statistically significant environmental determinants include distance near to water bodies, forest land use, access to sanitary toilet, level one water source, and ZOD status, while the ArcGIS’ GWR tool found that barangays, Cabangcalan, Matalangtalang, Talabaan, and Talib in Aroroy hypothetically met the national target below 30% for 2020 STH cumulative prevalence. @*Conclusion@#This study showed that barangays with a moderately low percentage of area with freshwater bodies, a moderately high percentage of households with sanitary toilet and level one water source, and a 100% status of ZOD have lower rates of STH cumulative prevalence in preschool-aged children in the selected municipalities in Masbate.

COVID-19 vaccination knowledge, attitudes, risk perception, and intention among health workers in a district in Manila, Philippines

Background@#Vaccination is an effective public health measure. Health workers, who are at risk of acquiring infectious diseases due to their occupation, are important targets of vaccination. However, previous studies have shown varying rates of vaccine uptake among health workers. @*Objective@#This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitudes, risk perceptions, and intention towards COVID-19 and vaccination of Filipino health workers in the city of Manila, Philippines. @*Methodology@#The study employed a sequential mixed methods design. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on the study variables. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the level of COVID-related knowledge, attitude, risk perception, and intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Logistic regression was performed to identify the factors that were associated with intention. @*Results@#Majority (89.4%) had a good knowledge of COVID-19 but had little to moderate knowledge of COVID-19 vaccines. Around half reported feeling unsure about the safety and efficacy of the vaccines while the remaining half expressed intent to get the vaccine. Logistic regression analysis showed that the odds of intention to get vaccinated were higher among those with positive perceived self-efficacy, behavioral intention, external cues to action, perceived vaccine efficacy, and good knowledge on COVID-19 infection prevention. @*Conclusion@#Health workers play a crucial role in the promotion of public health measures such as vaccination to control the spread of COVID-19. The study confirms the need for strengthening education and communication strategies focusing on the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines to prevent the spread of false information and promote vaccine uptake among health workers.

A look at an urban tertiary hospital's indoor air pollutants using source apportionment of PM₂.₅

Background@#Ironically, the hospital which is believed to be a healthy and safe place can be dangerous to health. Pollutants such as particulate matter 2.5 microns (PM₂.₅) can be present in hospital indoor air and may adversely affect the health of the hospital occupants. @*Objective@#Possible sources of indoor PM₂.₅ in an urban tertiary care hospital in the Philippines are identified and apportioned in this study. @*Methods@#PM₂.₅ measurements were conducted in two naturally ventilated wards (NVWs), two mechanically ventilated wards (MVWs), and a roof deck near the hospital. Mass concentrations with analytical uncertainties of thirteen elements (Al, Na, S, Si, Cl, K, Ca, V, Fe, Zn, Br, Hg, Pb) from PM₂.₅ measurements were utilized with Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) receptor model to identify and apportion possible sources of indoor PM₂.₅. @*Results@#In NVWs and MVWs, four types of sources were identified including sodium and chlorine sources, crustal emissions, anthropogenic sulfur sources, and road dust. Cleaning agents used in the hospital were identified as an anthropogenic indoor source of sodium while the other factors mainly came from outdoor sources. @*Conclusion@#The contribution of anthropogenic outdoor pollutants such as road dust and sulfur sources to indoor PM₂.₅ are highlighted in the study. The types of both indoor and outdoor sources of indoor PM₂.₅ can be influenced by the type of ventilation.

Challenges and opportunities in environmental and occupational health: Highlights of the First National Environmental and Occupational Health Forum

@#<p>Environmental and occupational health are interconnected disciplines of public health that are concerned in maintaining a symbiotic relationship between the ecosystem and humans. This relationship is under threat by the continuous and alarming increase of the Earth's temperature causing climate change that impacts not just health but also the economy and the safety of the population. The First National Environmental and Occupational Health Forum was organized by the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila to address and discuss the complex issues that the Philippines is currently experiencing when it comes to environmental and occupational health by providing a space where stakeholders from different sectors can actively participate in mapping out challenges and opportunities. The organizer's long-term vision is to catalyze and build a network of collaboration that is geared towards the improvement of health and safety in the workplace that involves mitigating the effects of climate change. The discussions in the forum gave a comprehensive insight into the different challenges we face for being one of the most vulnerable countries to natural disasters: how this affects health, workplace, and environment. These challenges created new opportunities for the country to build resilience and formulate adaptive strategies to decrease the vulnerability of the population especially the workforce who are constantly exposed to different hazards that are exacerbated by changes in the environment.</p>

Physico-chemical and microbiological quality assessment of ice blocks sold in selected wet markets in Manila, Philippines

@#<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>OBJECTIVE:</strong> The study aimed to determine the physico-chemical and microbiological quality of ice blocks sold in selected wet markets located in the city of Manila.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>METHODS:</strong> Twenty-eight samples were collected from three markets. Microbiological quality was analyzed in terms of the presence or absence of coliforms with E. coli as indicator organism. Physico-chemical quality was determined by measuring turbidity, apparent color, pH, iron, and residual chlorine. Measurements obtained were compared with the 2007 Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water (PNSDW).</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>RESULTS:</strong> Results showed that all samples tested positive for coliforms while 25 out of the 28 samples were positive for E. coli. Mean turbidity was 2.74 ± 3.68 NTU; for both apparent color and iron tests, all samples complied with the PNSDW standard limit set; mean pH was 6.15 ± 0.64; and mean residual chlorine was 0.06 ± 0.02 mg/L. Average values of apparent color and iron comply with the PNSDW standards. Six out of 28 samples had turbidity values exceeding the standards. All samples were found to have residual chlorine levels below the standards.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> Ice in markets do not comply with key 2007 PNSDW standards and findings warrant strict compliance of ice quality from manufacturers to the point of distribution to protect consumer health.</p>