Implications of information heard about Dengvaxia on Filipinos' perception on vaccination.

Issues that arose from the Dengvaxia vaccination program in the Philippines in 2017 were followed by a remarkable decline in immunization coverage in the country. This study intended to describe the Filipinos' perceptions about vaccination after hearing about the Dengvaxia vaccine and the vaccination program and determine its potential relationship with selected demographic factors and other variables such as: health literacy, sources of information on Dengvaxia, information heard about the vaccine, healthcare visits, and perceived health status. The study utilized secondary data derived from a national health literacy survey in the Philippines. A total of 1992 respondents were included in the analysis. Majority were females, had reached college, residing in urban areas, and were unemployed. Most obtained information about Dengvaxia from media, particularly the television and heard that it caused death and prevents dengue. Seventy-one per cent had negative vaccination perception upon obtaining information about Dengvaxia. Sex, residence type, and income were found to be associated with vaccination perception. Females and those living in rural areas were more likely to have a negative vaccination perception while those with the highest income were less likely to have negative vaccination perception. Respondents who heard that Dengvaxia prevents dengue, those who obtained Dengvaxia information from health professionals, and those who visited both public and private health facilities in the last 12 months were less likely to have negative vaccination perception. On the other hand, those with inadequate functional health literacy were more likely to have negative vaccination perception. The study presents the implications of information heard about Dengvaxia on Filipinos' perception on vaccination through selected variables and other factors. The findings are important in designing strategies in communicating health information, building public trust, and in reinforcing policies to improve vaccination uptake.

Associations of functional health literacy with socioeconomic and demographic status among Filipinos.

BACKGROUND: Health literacy determines an individual's decision-making process in providing judgment concerning appropriate healthcare. Considering the various purposes of literacy for people, functional health literacy (FHL) was identified as a type of literacy that is measured by the application of literacy skills to health-related materials as a result of health education. The objective of this study was to identify the possible socio-demographic correlates of FHL of Filipinos. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 2,303 Filipinos aged 15 to 70 years old in 2018-2019 utilizing the National Health Literacy Survey. Functional health literacy was determined using the FHL-5 Test which measured prose, document, and numeracy skills. Descriptive analysis presented socio-demographic characteristics and level of FHL. Log-binomial regression was used to estimate associations of FHL adequacy with socio-demographic characteristics. RESULTS: Overall, the study involved 1,997 (86.7%) qualified participants. Most of them demonstrated prose literacy skills and had adequate FHL. Adjusted regression analyses showed that participants with a college-level education (Adjusted prevalence ratio [APR]: 1.43, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.27-1.60), categorized under domestic service occupation (APR 1.19, 95% CI: 1.03-1.37), and those residing in urban areas (APR: 1.14, 95% CI 1.06-1.24) were significantly more prevalent in exhibiting FHL adequacy. In contrast, male participants and individuals aged 60 years or above were less likely to demonstrate FHL adequacy. CONCLUSIONS: The study presents a baseline assessment of the functional health literacy level, measured using the FHL-5 Test, of adults in the Philippines. Majority of the participants demonstrated FHL adequacy, with relatively higher scores in prose than numeracy literacy. The measurement of FHL adequacy can inform policies on methods of health education and communication, emphasizing the need to stratify the audience based on socio-demographic characteristics and adapt the content and design of informational materials for population-based health educational programs.

In-service training programme for health and social care workers in the Philippines to strengthen interprofessional collaboration in caring for older adults: a mixed-methods study.

BACKGROUND: A growing number of older adults require complex care, but coordination among professionals to provide comprehensive and high-quality care is perceived to be inadequate. Opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills important for interprofessional collaboration in the context of geriatric care are limited, particularly for those already in the workforce. A short-term training programme in interprofessional collaboration for health and social care workers in the Philippines was designed and pilot tested. The programme was devised following a review of the literature about geriatric care education and group interviews about training needs. The objectives of this paper are to introduce the training programme and to evaluate its influence on attitudes and readiness to collaborate among participants using both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. METHODS: A total of 42 community health workers and 40 health institution workers participated in the training in July 2019. Quantitative indicators were used to evaluate attitudes towards and readiness for collaboration before and after the training. Content analysis was performed of responses to open-ended questions asking participants to evaluate the training. A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was applied to determine the patterns of similarities or differences between the quantitative and qualitative data. RESULTS: Significant improvements were seen in scores on the Attitudes Towards Health Care Teams Scale among community health (P < 0.001) and health institution (P < 0.001) staff after the training. Scenario-based case studies allowed participants to work in groups to practise collaboration across professional and institutional boundaries; the case studies fostered greater collaboration and continuity of care. Exposure to other professionals during the training led to a deeper understanding of current practices among health and social care workers. Use of the scenario-based case studies followed by task-based discussion in groups was successful in engaging care professionals to provide patient-centred care. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot test of in-service training in interprofessional collaboration in geriatric care improved community and health institution workers' attitudes towards such collaboration. A 3-day training attended by health and social care workers from diverse healthcare settings resulted in recommendations to enhance collaboration when caring for older adults in their current work settings.

Concept analysis of maternal-infant attachment during the weaning process.

Background: At the time that the mother and baby transit from breastfeeding to weaning, maternal-fetal attachment becomes a crucial basis for maintaining their emotional relationship. Conceptualization is needed to better understand the phenomenon of maternal-infant attachment during the weaning process. Objective: The purpose of this paper is to explore and identify the essence of the term maternal-infant attachment during weaning and to arrive at an operational definition of the concept. Method: Concept analysis following Walker and Avant. Results: The attributes of maternal-infant attachment during the weaning process include (1) consistent and properly timed, (2) dynamic transactional interaction, and (3) secured adjustment. Maternal-infant attachment during the weaning process is brought by maternal sensitivity, closeness and proximity seeking, gentle and positive weaning, and breastfeeding experiences, which later turn into favorable emotion regulation, maturity, self-efficacy, secured bond, less intrusive interaction, resilience, and child's behavioral and development. Conclusion: This concept analysis provides new insight into maternal-infant attachment during the weaning process that guides the nursing practice. Also, the findings can help develop or improve the models, theories, and instruments collected for maintaining maternal-fetal attachment during the weaning process.

Improving Community Health Workers' Attitudes toward Collaborative Practice in the Care of Older Adults: An In-Service Training Intervention Trial in the Philippines.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an in-service, short-term training program in improving the attitudes toward, and readiness and activities for collaboration among community health workers (CHWs) in a primary care setting in the Philippines. A randomized controlled trial was adopted dividing participants into an intervention (n = 42) and a control group (n = 39). Attitudes toward, and readiness and activities for collaboration were measured using three standardized scales before and at 6 months after the training. A significant difference (p < 0.001) was observed in the Attitudes Toward Health Care Teams Scale (ATHCTS) scores between pre- and post-test in the intervention (6.3 ± 8.3 [Mean ± SD]) and control groups (0.7 ± 8.2). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed an independent positive association between the intervention and greater improvement in the ATHCTS score (Coefficient ß = 6.17; 95% CI = 0.82, 11.53; p = 0.03) at follow-up, after adjustment for age, years in current occupation, and social support role of participants. The results demonstrated the efficacy of the intervention for improving the attitudes of CHWs toward collaborative practice in the care of older adults.

Factors Associated With Work-Life Balance and Productivity Before and During Work From Home.

OBJECTIVES: Considering the prevailing work from home (WFH) arrangement globally due to COVID-19, this paper aims to compare job-related and psychosocial factors before and during WFH setup; and to determine the relationship of these factors to work-life balance (WLB) and productivity. METHODS: A total 503 employees from 46 institutions answered the online questionnaire, 318 of whom met the inclusion criteria. Paired t test and structural equation modeling (SEM) with multigroup analysis were used for the statistical analyses. RESULTS: Psychological detachment (PD), sleep, stress, social support (SS), WLB, and productivity declined during WFH. SEM showed that PD significantly influenced stress and sleep, subsequently affecting productivity. SS significantly helped the participants maintain WLB. CONCLUSION: The key to increasing productivity and WLB during WFH is to foster PD and SS among employees.

Barriers and facilitators of productivity while working from home during pandemic.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to characterize the working environment, stress levels, and psychological detachment of employees working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines and investigate their relationship to productivity and musculoskeletal symptoms. METHODS: Structural equation modeling was used to examine the direct effect of workstation characteristics, stress, and musculoskeletal symptoms to productivity and the indirect effect of psychological detachment to productivity. Data were gathered from a survey of employees working from home during the pandemic from different industries (n = 352). Multigroup analysis was also conducted to determine the effect of age, having a spouse, and having children less than 18 years old, to the model. RESULTS: Ergonomic suitability of the workstation (WES) has a significant effect on musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) (ß = -0.31, SE = 0.06; p < .001). Both workstation suitability (ß = -0.24, SE = 0.03; p < .001) and workstation ergonomic suitability (ß = -0.18, SE = 0.01; p < .01) inversely affect STR. Psychological detachment has a significant inverse effect on stress (ß = -0.31, SE = 0.07; p < .001) and stress has a significant negative effect on productivity (ß = -0.13, SE = 0.09; p = .03). Multigroup analyses showed that stress significantly affected the productivity of those without spouses and young employees. CONCLUSION: Workstation suitability helps improve the productivity of people working from home while stress negatively affects it. Workstation ergonomic suitability and musculoskeletal symptoms have no significant effect.

Significance of Home Visiting in Providing Care to Filipino Mothers and Their Infants During the Postpartum Period.

INTRODUCTION: Home visiting is recommended for mothers and young infants during the first week of life to provide needed support. This study describes the significance of home visiting in providing care to Filipino mothers and their infants during the postpartum period. METHODOLOGY: Using a descriptive qualitative design, individual interviews were conducted with 10 mothers, four registered nurses, and five barangay health workers involved in home visits. Data analysis was guided by the four phases of Leininger's ethnonursing method. RESULTS: Three themes emerged: (1) home visiting provides accessible, affordable, and meaningful interventions; (2) home visiting allows for contextual understanding of mothers' behaviors and realistic planning of care; and (3) barangay health workers promote mothers' engagement in care. CONCLUSION: Home visits enable negotiation of differences between generic and professional care practices, thus enhancing professional collaboration with families and community workers, potentiating culturally congruent participation and empowerment of clients in their care.

Social media use profile, social skills, and nurse-patient interaction among Registered Nurses in tertiary hospitals: A structural equation model analysis.

BACKGROUND: Social media has become increasingly important over the past decades and has been integrated in various environments, including the healthcare setting. Yet, the influence of social media use on the social skills and nurse-patient interaction of nurses is an area in nursing that requires further studies. This study determined the interrelationships among social media use profile, social skills, and nurse-patient interaction of Registered Nurses in tertiary hospitals. METHODS: Employing structural equation modeling, a descriptive-correlational study was conducted among 212 consecutively-selected nurses from two tertiary hospitals. Consenting respondents completed a two-part survey composed of the respondent profile sheet and the Social Skills Inventory. The respondent profile sheet assessed demographic profile and social media use profile in terms of the mode, frequency, and duration of utilization. Three trained team members observed each nurse-patient dyad and completed the Nurse-Patient Bonding Instrument. RESULTS: A good fit model illustrated the negative effects of frequent social media use to patient openness (ß = -0.18, p < 0.05) and engagement (ß = -0.11, p ≤ 0.05). Longer use of social media on a daily basis, however, positively affected both dimensions of social skills. Accessing social media platforms using non-handheld devices showed the most influential positive effects to social skills and nurse-patient interaction. Additionally, although verbal social skills positively affected most dimensions of nurse-patient interaction, non-verbal social skills negatively influenced patient engagement (ß = -0.19, p = 0.019) and nurse openness (ß = -0.38, p ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION: The structural model illustrates the effects of using social media on the social skills and nurse-patient interaction of nurses and emphasizes the need for implementing institutional policies on the judicious use and application of social media in the workplace. Further, social skills development programs geared toward having a balanced social skill must be implemented.

Migration of women from the Philippines: implications for healthcare delivery.

Filipinos have been an important part of the global workforce since the first half of the twentieth century. The initial migration of primarily men has shifted to an increasing numbers of women in recent decades. These changes are primarily attributed to a high demand for domestic workers, nurses and occupations that are female dominated. In 2005, about 70% of the international Labour migrants are women from the Philippines. Living in a foreign land, these women face challenges that affect their physical, emotional and social well being. Especially on their first year living abroad, these women experience significant stress which affects their health as they adjust to a new work environment, culture, social norms, diet, and weather. The emotional strain can be greater for those who have left their families behind in the Philippines and aggravated by the financial need to send money to them. Striking examples, such as the homicide rate of Filipino women married to Australian men being 5.6 times higher than that of Australian-born women, underscores the importance of supportive health care environments and appreciating socio-cultural factors. In the delivery of healthcare services to migrant women, it is critical to consider the unique socio-cultural background of women as well as health beliefs and practices.

The mediating role of the nurse-patient dyad bonding in bringing about patient satisfaction.

AIM: This article is a report on a Synergy Model-guided correlational study of the direct and indirect relations of nurse-characteristics and patient characteristics to patient satisfaction, as mediated by nurse-patient dyad bonding. BACKGROUND: Findings from previous studies have revealed that interventions alone do not fully account for patient outcomes, and that the effect of interventions on outcomes is mediated by factors such as interpersonal communication. The characteristics of the nurse and the patient synergize during their interaction, forming nurse-patient dyad bonding that affects patient satisfaction. Patient satisfaction is regarded as a critical part of the quality outcomes in healthcare. METHOD: A total of 210 nurse-patient dyadic interactions were observed using the Nurse-Patient Bonding Instrument. Nurse characteristics and patient characteristics were gathered through observation, interview and chart review. Data were collected in 2008 from four hospitals in the Philippines. RESULTS: Path analysis revealed that the patient characteristic of predictability had both direct effect and indirect effects on patient satisfaction, and that the nurse characteristic of facilitation of learning had an indirect effect on patient satisfaction. Nurse-patient dyad bonding mediated the relations between patient predictability and patient satisfaction, and nurse facilitation of learning and patient satisfaction. CONCLUSION: The nurse and the patient both have a role to play in forming a therapeutic dyadic relationship that brings about the desired outcome. Further research on the formation and development of nurse-patient dyads in other settings and with other patient outcomes is recommended.

Development and validation of an instrument to measure nurse-patient bonding.

BACKGROUND: Most instruments on nurse-patient relationship determine the caring behavior of the nurse, but have minimal consideration of the patient's role in the interaction. Moreover, it is the patients that complete many of those instruments, thus leaving out the perspective of the nurse. There is then a need to account for the contributions that both the nurse and the patient bring into their encounter where bonding is formed. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop and validate an instrument that determines the degree of bonding between nurse and patient based on their openness to each other and their engagement in patient care. SETTINGS: Data were collected from nurses and patients in the wards of four public and private tertiary hospitals in Manila, Philippines, where most Filipino nurses render care to patients before getting employed in other countries. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 420 nurses and patients (i.e., 210 dyads) participated in this research conducted in 2008. Most of the nurses were young females with beginning clinical experience, while the patients had a wider age range with the majority having no college education and no employment. METHODS: The Nurse-Patient Bonding Instrument (NPBI), which dimensions were generated from qualitative observations and interviews, and corroborated by literature, was validated at the bedside setting. To determine interrater reliability, two trained raters unobtrusively observed actual nurse-patient interactions and ticked on the NPBI behavioral indicators of openness and engagement. Construct validity was established using known-groups technique. Moreover, bonding score was correlated with patient satisfaction for predictive validity. RESULTS: Reliability ranged from r=.80 to .95 (p<.01). Factor analysis demonstrated that the subscale scores of patient openness, nurse openness, patient engagement, and nurse engagement all loaded on one factor, the bonding factor, demonstrating a unified structure of the NPBI. Nurses and patients had higher bonding scores in interactions of longer duration than shorter duration, controlling for number of previous encounters. This provided evidence for construct validity using known-groups technique. The NPBI was likewise shown to distinguish groups based on age, education, and civil status. Patient satisfaction correlated positively with bonding score, providing evidence suggestive of the predictive validity of the NPBI. CONCLUSION: The NPBI was shown to be a reliable and valid tool for assessing nurse-patient bonding, and can possibly predict patient satisfaction. The openness and engagement of nurse and patient were demonstrated to result in a structure, a nurse-patient dyad. This finding invites further investigations on the characteristics and development of this dyad.