Health information sources and health-seeking behaviours of Filipinos living in medically underserved communities: Empirical quantitative research.

AIMS: To describe sources of health information and health-seeking behaviours of adults (aged ≥18) living in medically underserved communities in the Philippines. DESIGN: This is a secondary, quantitative analysis from a cross-sectional parent study. Participants completed a 10-item, self-report survey on their sources of health information, healthcare providers sought for health and wellness and health-seeking behaviours when ill. Responses were evaluated across two age groups (<60 vs. ≥60 years) and genders using generalized linear mixed models. RESULTS: Surveys were completed by 1202 participants in rural settings (64.6% female, mean age 49.5 ± 17.6). Friends and/or family were their key source of health information (59.6%), followed by traditional media (37%) and healthcare professionals (12.2%). For health promotion, participants went to healthcare professionals (60.9%), informal healthcare providers (17.2%) or others (7.2%). When ill, they visited a healthcare professional 69.1% of the time, self-medicated (43.9%), prayed (39.5%) or sought treatment from a rural health clinic (31.5%). We also found differences in health-seeking behaviours based on age and gender. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the need to organize programs that explicitly deliver accurate health information and adequate care for wellness and illness. Study findings emphasize the importance of integrating family, friends, media and healthcare professionals, including public health nurses, to deliver evidence-based health information, health promotion and sufficient treatment to medically underserved Filipinos. IMPLICATIONS: New knowledge provides valuable information to healthcare providers, including public health nurses, in addressing health disparities among medically underserved Filipinos. IMPACT: This study addresses the current knowledge gap in a medically vulnerable population. Healthcare professionals are not the primary sources of health information. Approximately one-third of participants do not seek them for health promotion or treatment even when ill, exacerbating health inequities. More work is necessary to support initiatives in low- and middle-income countries such as the Philippines to reduce health disparities. REPORTING METHOD: We adhered to the reporting guidelines of STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) for cross-sectional studies. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: There was no patient or public contribution as our study design and methodology do not make this necessary.

Bridging the Gap: Reducing Health Inequities in Access to Preventive Health Care Services in Rural Communities in the Philippines.

INTRODUCTION: We used an implementation science framework to investigate perceived health inequities in preventive health care initiatives in rural communities in the Philippines. We also identified health equity-focused quality improvement strategies. METHODS: Three health care providers and 12 barangay clinic patients were interviewed. RESULTS: Patient interviews showed that social determinants of health, respect, and attitudes toward health care providers affected patient empowerment to engage in self-management for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Health care providers identified six challenges in managing NCDs: (a) inefficient work processes; (b) staffing shortages; (c) insufficient access to low-cost medications; (d) inadequate primary preventive health education from the schools; (e) health care not considered a priority; and (f) lack of local government support. DISCUSSION: Inadequate preventive health care and education intensify health access and resource inequities in rural communities in the Philippines. A multi-sectoral plan may improve rural health infrastructure and education toward improving health care access and decreasing care disparities.

Exploring the relationships between resilience, mindfulness, and experiential avoidance after the use of a mindfulness- and acceptance-based mobile app for posttraumatic stress disorder.

PURPOSE: This study used a mindfulness- and acceptance-based mobile app to examine the relationships between resilience, mindfulness, experiential avoidance, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. DESIGN AND METHODS: A quasi-experimental pre-posttest, single-group study design was used. A total of 23 college student veterans used the app for 4 weeks. Outcomes of resilience, mindfulness, experiential avoidance, and PTSD were measured at three time-points (baseline, end of Week 2, and end of Week 4). FINDINGS: All outcomes significantly improved at postintervention. Improvements in resilience and PTSD significantly correlated with improvement in mindfulness. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Mindfulness- and acceptance-based mobile apps can be safely used by individuals with PTSD as a complementary approach to enhance resilient coping with PTSD.