COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among healthcare workers in two general hospitals in Benguet: A cross-sectional study

Background@#Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) and Benguet General Hospital (BeGH) started COVID-19 vaccination among its employees in March 2021. Although there was an observed substantial increase in vaccine acceptance, a better understanding on the factors associated with hesitancy toward COVID-19 vaccine is necessary to further strengthen efforts and focus on the caveats regarding vaccine acceptance.@*Objective@#The study aimed to determine the factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among healthcare workers (HCW) in two general hospitals in Benguet.@*Methods@#A cross-sectional study was conducted among HCW in BGHMC and BeGH for 1 month. Total enumeration sampling was used which included 222 participants but only 85 responded. A modified questionnaire was used to describe the factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Categorical variables were presented as frequencies and percentages. Pearson’s Chisquare test was used to observe the association between clinicodemographic factors and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among the HCW in BGHMC and BeGH.@*Results@#The results showed that young, female, non-clinical workers with direct contact with COVID-19 patients, previous COVID-19 infection, and without comorbidities were more likely to be hesitant. The study identified various internal, external, and vaccination-specific factors that influenced vaccine hesitancy, such as concerns about adverse effects, their impending risk in contracting COVID-19 at workplace, and thoughts about yearly booster dose. These findings suggest that vaccine hesitancy among healthcare workers in the Philippines is complex and influenced by a range of factors.@*Conclusion@#The study can be used to develop targeted interventions to address concerns about vaccine hesitancy and improve vaccine uptake among healthcare workers. The development of an equitable approach such as an effective and inclusive vaccine policy that does not feel mandatory for this population will foster trust in the healthcare system.

Ethno-botanical survey of edible wild fruits in Benguet, Cordillera administrative region, the Philippines

Objective: To conduct a survey on the common name/s, traditional uses and cultural importance of the edible wild fruits in different municipalities of Benguet, Cordillera administrative region. Methods: Interviews using questionnaires with barangay leaders and indigenous people were conducted with 176 key informants from June 2011 to July 2013. Results: A total of 36 fruit species were found in different municipalities of Benguet. These fruit species belong to 27 genera and 20 families. Among the 13 municipalities of Benguet, Kibungan has the highest number of species. There are many uses of wild fruits which ranged from food (snack/dessert/table food), forage (especially for birds, monkeys and wild animals such as cloud rat and grass eaters), offertory, processed/preserved (as jam, jellies, candies, juice and wine), condiment or ingredient (for cooking), source of dye or ink, decoration (to garnish food) and as medicine to common ailments or health problems. Based on the inventory and calculated cultural importance index, Garcinia binucao (balokok) belonging to Clusiaceae is the most abundant fruit, hence it is the commonly used fruit for various purposes such as food, forage, processing/preservation and condiment/ingredient; Vaccinium myrtoides (ayusip) for offerings and as source of dye/ink; Saurauia elegans (uyok) for decoration, and, Antidesma bunius (bugnay) for medicine. Conclusions: Benguet province in the Cordillera region provides a diversity of edible wild fruits. The data gathered from the study signifies that collection, processing and utilization of edible wild fruits are still part of the daily activities of the people in Benguet.

Ethno-botanical survey of edible wild fruits in Benguet, Cordillera administrative region, the Philippines

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To conduct a survey on the common name/s, traditional uses and cultural importance of the edible wild fruits in different municipalities of Benguet, Cordillera administrative region.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Interviews using questionnaires with barangay leaders and indigenous people were conducted with 176 key informants from June 2011 to July 2013.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 36 fruit species were found in different municipalities of Benguet. These fruit species belong to 27 genera and 20 families. Among the 13 municipalities of Benguet, Kibungan has the highest number of species. There are many uses of wild fruits which ranged from food (snack/dessert/table food), forage (especially for birds, monkeys and wild animals such as cloud rat and grass eaters), offertory, processed/preserved (as jam, jellies, candies, juice and wine), condiment or ingredient (for cooking), source of dye or ink, decoration (to garnish food) and as medicine to common ailments or health problems. Based on the inventory and calculated cultural importance index, Garcinia binucao (balokok) belonging to Clusiaceae is the most abundant fruit, hence it is the commonly used fruit for various purposes such as food, forage, processing/preservation and condiment/ingredient; Vaccinium myrtoides (ayusip) for offerings and as source of dye/ink; Saurauia elegans (uyok) for decoration, and, Antidesma bunius (bugnay) for medicine.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Benguet province in the Cordillera region provides a diversity of edible wild fruits. The data gathered from the study signifies that collection, processing and utilization of edible wild fruits are still part of the daily activities of the people in Benguet.</p>

Pesticides and its hazardous effects on the Benguet vegetable farmers

Two thousand vegetable farmers of Benguet Province were interviewed on their use of pesticides and the effects they have experienced while handling the same Benguet produces 70 percent of the total vegetable needs of the country. The growing demand for high quality vegetables by the consumers have made the farmers become too dependent on the use of pesticides. They however, over use and abuse the use of the chemicals by cocktailing various brands or using banned chemicals like the "miracle powder" or cyanide. Thus, they are continuously exposed to the deleterous effects of the chemicals including their families, domestic animals and wild life. The environment is also polluted creating an ecological imbalance. The consumers have likewise suspected the safety of the vegetables they produce and if unchecked will lead to the death of the lucrative vegetable industry Itchy skin, dry lips, watery and itchy red eyes that lasts for days, abdominal pain, chest pain, muscle cramps, body malaise, inappetens, dizzines, epistaxis, irregular and discolored nails were some of the adverse effects the vegetables farmers have experienced while handling pesticides The vegetable farmers are largely non-compliant to the product specifications of the chemicals, dilution and disposal of used chemical containers Their indiscriminate use and handling of pesticides are to a great extent borne out of misinformation, sheer negligence and even low literacy An intensive educational campaign is needed to assist the vegetable farmers of Benguet.