Knowledge, attitudes, and related practices of Filipino seafarers regarding cardiovascular diseases.

BACKGROUND: Globally, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) remain the leading cause of mortality. Due to the nature of their work and lifestyle on board, Filipino seafarers have a high propensity towards acquiring CVD. This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to CVD of Filipino seafarers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study utilised a descriptive cross-sectional study design. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed among 136 male seafarers who went into a private general hospital for their pre-employment medical examination. RESULTS: Eating fatty foods (77.0%), cigarette smoking (68.4%) and lack of exercise (65.4%) were identified by the respondents as the top three most common risk factors for CVD. Avoiding fatty or oily foods (85.3%) and exercising regularly (83.1%) were identified by the respondents as preventive measures for CVD. High blood pressure and shortness of breath were identified by more than half of the respondents as a sign and symptom of CVD, respectively. But the respondents failed to identify other equally important signs and symptoms. Majority of the respondents (> 80%) had high level of perception with respect to the six constructs of the health belief model. Some respondents had admitted engagement in risk-taking behaviours such as smoking (36.0%) and physical inactivity (27.2%). Majority were into high fat and salt diet (70.6%) and current alcohol consumption (79.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Although the respondents had favourable attitudes towards CVD, there were knowledge gaps in risk factors, preventive measures, and recognition of signs and symptoms. Hence, some were still engaging in risk-taking behaviours such as smoking, irregular involvement in physical activity, unbalanced diet, and alcohol intake.

A human rights-focused HIV intervention for sex workers in Metro Manila, Philippines: evaluation of effects in a quantitative pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated a brief human rights-focused HIV community mobilization intervention for sex workers in the Philippines, a country with one of the fastest rising number of HIV cases worldwide. METHODS: Five single-session group interventions to reduce sexual risk and increase HIV testing among 86 sex workers in Manila were evaluated with pre-post-test data via Wilcoxon's signed-ranks and Mann-Whitney tests. The 4-h intervention, Kapihan (August-November, 2013), integrated human rights with HIV skill-building. Demographic data, violence/trafficking victimization, human rights knowledge, and intentions to HIV test and treat were collected. RESULTS: Participants were median aged 23; female (69 %); had children (55; 22 % had 3+ children); used drugs (past 3 months: 16 %); sexually/physically abused by clients (66 %); 20 % street sex workers ever took an HIV test. Pre-post-test scores significantly improved in knowledge of HIV (z = -8.895, p < 0.001), reproductive health (z = -3.850, p < 0.001), human rights (z = -4.391, p < 0.001), ethical rights of research participants (z = -5.081, p < 0.001), and intentions to HIV test (z = -4.868, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Integrating human rights into HIV interventions may empower sex workers to address their health and human rights and test for HIV.

The state of children with disabilities in Eastern Samar

The study focused on children with disabilities (CWD) in Philippine society. It described the socio-economic conditions of CWD and their families, and the nature and extent of the problems they experienced. The findings from seven municipalities in Eastern Samar revealed that CWD come from big and poor agricultural families with low levels of education. Hearing, mental, physical and visual disabilities were the most common forms of disabilities of children. While majority of the families recognized that CWD have special needs, most families were unable to meet these because of economic difficulties and inaccesibility of programs and services. It is urgent to capacitate families of CWD to address their needs and develop positive coping behaviors through family-centered programs and services that will help alleviate their conditions and problems, raise their capabilities and expand their options. This will entail collaboration between various stakeholders in society and the community.

The health perceptions and practices of Lumads in Southern Philippines

The Lumads or non-Islamized indigenous peoples (IPs) of Mindanao, specifically in Maramag, Bukidnon, have demonstrated a high level of awareness of the right to health. The results of the study conducted in 2006 revealed majority of the 200 IP respondents interviewed have basic knowledge and understanding of concepts like the universality of the right to health across economic status, sex, and religion; and equality of the right to health of Christians and Lumads. Factors like exposure to the mass media and influence of the barangay health center have contributed to the high level of knowledge of IPs on the right to health, also a reflection of their assimilation into mainstream society. However, they continue to hold on to their indigenous health and treatment beliefs, practices and rituals like patronizing the services of the baylan or traditional healer, using herbal plants and medicines, and utilizing traditional structures in the community when confronted by serious health problems, and performing rituals such as the pamuhat, patawalan and talotho. Promoting the IPs right to health requires political will and commitment on the part of the State to fulfill its obligations to these sections of the population who have continuously been marginalized and discriminated by mainstream society. The active participation of the IPs and their organizations is likewise critical in the development of specific and culturally-appropriate health plans, programs and services.