Effectiveness of Brassica juncea (mustard green) leaf decoction as an adjunct in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus among Filipinos: a randomized clinical trial / The Health Sciences Journal

INTRODUCTION@#This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of mustard green leaf decoction as an adjunct to drug treatment in controlling blood glucose among Filipinos with type 2 diabetes mellitus.@*METHODS@#Participants were randomly assigned to receive mustard green decoction or a placebo solution for eight weeks on top of their oral anti-hyperglycemic medication. Fasting blood sugar and complete blood counts were determined at baseline, Week 4 and Week 8, and compared within and across the two groups.@*RESULTS@#There was a decreasing trend in the blood sugar level in the mustard green group while the opposite was noted in the placebo group. The mean FBS levels of the mustard green group were significantly lower than that of the placebo group at the Week 8 determination (6.10 vs 8.69 mmol/ L, p = 0.004). The decrease in blood sugar level on the eighth week in the mustard green group was significant compared with the baseline level (p = 0.008).@*CONCLUSION@#This study has demonstrated that the intake of Brassica juncea decoction can significantly decrease blood sugar levels among type 2 diabetics compared to metformin alone.

Project Hawkeye: A cross-sectional study on the prevalence of undetected refractive errors in schoolage children / The Health Sciences Journal

Introduction@#In the Philippines, essential eye care services are not easily accessible especially for those in lower income groups, putting public elementary school students at risk for underdiagnosis of problems in visual acuity. The objective of this investigation was to determine prevalence of undetected refractive errors among public elementary students using the Welch Allyn Spot™ Vision Screener.@*Methods @#A cross-sectional design was used in this investigation to estimate the prevalence of uncorrected refractive errors in the first grade students in San Perfecto Elementary School using Welch Allyn Spot™ Vision Screener (Photoscreener). Eligible students who gave informed consent and assent answered a questionnaire and underwent an eye examination. The prevalence of undetected errors of refraction were computed for the sample population and for selected demographic variables.@*Results @#Approximately one out of four students (24.53%) had errors of refraction, with the most common type being astigmatism (22.64%), followed by myopia (3.77%) and hyperopia (2.83%).@*Conclusion @#This study revealed a high prevalence of undetected refractive errors among school-age children, higher than current published data (5%) in the Philippines.

The effect of the Elderly Development Program on the quality of life of elderly individuals / The Health Sciences Journal

Introduction @#The increasing aging population of the Philippines impacts on the socioeconomic development of the country, prompting a deeper look into their quality of life. This study sought to determine the effect of the Elderly Development Program on the quality of life of the elderly population of Los Baños.@*Methods @#A 4-month prospective cohort study of the elderly population in Los Baños, Laguna compared the quality of life scores of a group enrolled in the Elderly Development Program and an unexposed control, using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Abbreviated Version for Filipino Older Persons questionnaire.@*Results @#Quality of life scores where higher for the EDP group during the four months of observation. In Month 2, significant differences were found in all domains except for the psychological domain. Only the physical health domain score was significant in the EDP group for Month 3 (p = 0.003) and Month 4 (p = 0.029). Both the EDP and control groups had higher overall and domain scores in Month 4 compared with baseline.@*Conclusion @#The Elderly Development Program may improve the overall quality of life of elderly persons, specifically in the physical health domain. These improvements are likely due to the focus of the program on the physical aspect of the elderly.

Experiences of first year medical students from their teachers beyond the grave / The Health Sciences Journal

Introduction@#Dissecting cadavers to study Human Anatomy is an integral part of first year medical education. The aim of this study was to describe the experiences of the first year medical students during their first day of cadaver dissection.@*Methods@#This study analyzed interviews of three first year medical students, chosen via purposive sampling, who were present during the first day of cadaver dissection in gross anatomy. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed through a Husserlian descriptive phenomenological approach.@*Results @#Five common themes were identified: 1) fear of the unknown, 2) group dynamics, 3) sense of awe and amazement of the cadaver's body, 4) respect for the body, and 5) taming of death as a rite of passage to being a doctor.@*Conclusion @#Of the five emergent themes, taming death as a rite of passage to being a doctor is the essence of the experiences of the first year medical students during the first day of cadaver dissection.

Breast cancer awareness among female non-medical college students in Quezon City / The Health Sciences Journal

Introduction@#Breast cancer remains to be a public health problem in the Philippines. This study determined the level of breast cancer awareness among female non-medical students from selected private colleges in Quezon City. @*Methods@#This was a descriptive cross-sectional survey, and data collection was done on a single occasion. The study population was chosen via convenience sampling. The survey asked about the respondents' ideas on awareness, beliefs, perceived personal risk, perceived seriousness, and knowledge of etiology, diagnosis and management of breast cancer.@*Results@#Majority of the respondents associated lifestyle factors (smoking) with the development of breast cancer. Four-fifths regarded Western medicine as a mainstay of treatment, however, a significant proportion believed that breast cancer could be adequately managed and controlled with complementary and alternative treatments. Around 25% of respondents considered themselves at risk for breast cancer and 40% did not know. Close to 65% said that family history was a risk factor. Almost 50% never heard of self-breast examination; of those who knew about it, only 15% practiced it monthly. The respondents had varied answers when asked about the common symptoms and signs of breast cancer. At least two-thirds of respondents said that the treatment for breast cancer includes surgery and radiation therapy. Majority (79.8%) opined that having an education program would increase the level of awareness of the general public.@*Conclusion @#The students surveyed were generally aware about breast cancer, including aspects of epidemiology, diagnosis and management. The study also a revealed a number of misconceptions regarding breast cancer.