Unraveling socioeconomic determinants of health-related behavior, reception of information, and perceptions on disease disclosure at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic: did health insurance curb the disparities in the Philippines?

BACKGROUND: The study uncovers micro and macro socioeconomic disparities in terms of health behavior, disease perception, and reception of information. Furthermore, findings shed light on the possible role of health insurance on access to information, disease perception and the adoption of preventive behaviors in the context of a public health emergency such as the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This study employed a cross-sectional design using the Philippine Demographic and Health Survey (DHS). With a total of 29,809 respondents, it evaluated the individual or household and systemwide socioeconomic determinants of four different outcomes: receipt of information, disease perception, uptake of free preventive services, and treatment-seeking behavior. In addition to logistic regression models with the socioeconomic variables as the independent variables, models for the evaluation of the moderating effect of insurance ownership were fitted. Predicted probabilities were reported for the analysis of moderating effects. RESULTS: Findings show that individual and householdsocioeconomic determinants affected health-behavior and access to or receipt of information pertinent to the COVID-19 pandemic. Both education and wealth affected the receipt of information such that individuals in more advantaged socioeconomic positions were at least 30% more likely to have received information on COVID-19. Wealth was also associated to treatment-seeking behavior. Regional differences were seen across all dependent variables. Moreover, the study provides evidence that ownership of insurance can close education-based gaps in the uptake of free vaccination and COVID-19 testing. CONCLUSION: It is imperative that targeted efforts be maximized by utilizing existing strategies and mechanisms to reach the marginalized and disadvantaged segments of the population. Health insurance may give off added benefits that increase proficiency in navigating through the healthcare system. Further research may focus on examining pathways by which health insurance or social policies may be used to leverage responses to public health or environmental emergencies.

Partnership for health development through the field practice

This article describes the partnership between the College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila and the province of Laguna in the context of implementation of the field practice course. This partnership paved the way for the development and implementation of projects in seven field practice sites. Projects concentrated mainly on improving quality of data and health information system, development of educational materials, and addressing health problems such as tuberculosis, hypertension and rabies. After the implementation of the various activities, there is a need for both parties (the College of Public Health and the Provincial Health Office of Laguna) to monitor and evaluate if projects have been sustained. Moreover, successful projects must also be fully documented which can serve as models for other areas in the province of Laguna.

Significant predictors of underutilization of inpatient benefits among PhilHealth members in selected barangays in Manila

BACKGROUND: Underutilization of PhilHealth benefits undermines the effective distribution of public resources. To formulate effective strategies, the factors affecting the utilization of members must be studied. OBJECTIVES: To (1) assess the rate of underutilization of inpatient benefits and (2) determine the association of chosen factors with PhilHealth underutilization of selected member groups in three barangays in Manila. METHODS: The study was done in selected Barangays in Manila. Using the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) method of sampling, a sample size of 147 households were obtained and interviewed  for the study. An interview guide was used to gather the data needed for analysis. Chi-square test was then used to determine existing associations between underutilization and the chosen factors. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The chi-square test of association revealed that gender (p-value=0.034), income (p-value=0.026), and type of membership (p-value=0.027) are significantly associated with underutilization. Females and paying members were found to be more frequent users. Gap between the utilization and underutilization rates was found to be greatest in the lowest income groups. 'Lack of knowledge on filing claims' (p-value