Fish-borne zoonotic trematodiases (FZT) are neglected parasitic infections of global public health significance, persisting in communities where there is a cultural practice of consuming raw or undercooked freshwater fish. In the Philippines, FZT surveillance efforts remain largely focused on human stool-based diagnostics, leaving intermediate host transmission stages poorly characterized. In this study, we provide molecular characterization of the zoonotic trematode cercariae infecting thiarid snails from five FZT-endemic barangays in New Corella, Davao del Norte, Southern Philippines. Of 387 thiarid snails collected in freshwater near human settlements, 26 (6.72%) were infected with three cercarial morphotypes. DNA barcoding and phylogenetic analyses using partial 28S and cox1 sequences identified parapleurolophocercous cercariae from Melanoides tuberculata as Haplorchis taichui, the most prevalent fish-borne zoonotic fluke species reported in the Philippines. The other two morphotypes represented lineages with distinct, non-fishborne transmission routes. Megalurous cercariae confirmed as Philophthalmus gralli, an ocular trematode of birds capable of aberrant human infection, were recovered from Stenomelania sp. representing a putative new first intermediate host record for this species. Virgulate xiphidiocercariae recovered from M. tuberculata were assigned to family Lecithodendriidae, though limited reference sequence coverage precluded genus- or species-level resolution. These findings characterize co-occurring trematode diversity in thiarid snails from Southern Philippines and corroborate active transmission of H. taichui in areas with documented human heterophyid infections. Future work integrating molecular surveillance of both snail and fish intermediate hosts into FZT monitoring may provide a more complete assessment of FZT transmission and human infection risk in these endemic areas.
Chromist parasites of the genus Eimeria are the causative agent of coccidiosis, an economically important disease of poultry characterized by enteritis, reduced growth performance and decrease in egg production. In the Philippines, Eimeria infections have largely been reported through conventional coproparasitological techniques; however, molecular investigations on the distribution of specific Eimeria species and quantitative assessments of infection intensity are lacking. In the present study, molecular surveillance of Eimeria infections was conducted in various commercial poultry farms in the Philippines to better characterize the epidemiology of the disease. Eimeria oocysts were detected in 24 of 42 poultry houses (57.1%) across 9 of 16 examined commercial farms (56.3%). The positivity rates among different poultry production systems were 60% (6/10) in broilers, 100% (6/6) in broiler breeders; 47.8% (11/23) in layer pullets, 50% (1/2) in egg layers and 0% (0/1) in fighting cocks. The mean oocyst per gram (OPG) across investigated farms was 7211.9 with values ranging from 19.6 to 44,933.3. PCR analysis of the 24 positive poultry houses identified four Eimeria species, namely E. tenella, E. necatrix, E. acervulina, and E. mitis. These findings indicate that Eimeria infections, especially the highly pathogenic species, are widely distributed in commercial poultry operations in the Philippines. The results provide baseline data on the current distribution and infection intensity of Eimeria species in the country, which will be helpful in the prevention, management and control of coccidiosis.
Recent studies on the spatial distribution of A. lumbricoides in the Philippines have used the data available from the nationwide parasitological survey in the early 2000s. This study developed an updated predictive map of the spatial distribution of ascariasis occurrences in the Philippines using data from 2000-2020 to identify high-risk areas for ascariasis. Data were acquired from WorldClim and included 19 bioclimatic variables. Additionally, the geographical distribution of species occurrence records was obtained through literature and known medical reports for ascariasis cases. The spatial distribution was mapped using QGIS after running the occurrence and environmental layers in the software Maxent. The predictive map revealed a high percentage of occurrences of ascariasis in Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Western Visayas, Bicol Region, and Central Visayas. The average training area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for the replicate runs was 0.873. Analysis of variable contribution showed the highest percentage predictive contribution of the mean temperature during the warmest quarter (49.4%), annual range of temperature (10.9%), and mean temperature during the driest quarter (10.9%). The species predictive map generated in this study can identify bioclimatic variables associated with the high prevalence of A. lumbricoides. Since extensive parasitological surveys can be costly and time-consuming, predictions on A. lumbricoides distribution can fill the gap in areas lacking data. Consequently, a detailed understanding of the distribution of A. lumbricoides will assist in identifying high-risk areas for effective public health intervention, especially in underfunded regions in the Philippines.
Mental health remains a significant public health concern in the Philippines, with schizophrenia posing major burdens on individuals, families, and society. Antipsychotic drugs are still the most effective treatment. However, the prevalence of irrational drug use in psychiatric patients, including antipsychotic polypharmacy and non-adherence, has been associated with negative outcomes such as increased adverse effects, rehospitalization, higher cost, and impaired quality of life. To address this, drug utilization studies are crucial for developing strategies to optimize healthcare resource use, address drug use issues, promote rational prescribing, and improve patient access. The study evaluated the prescribing patterns of antipsychotic medications among inpatients with schizophrenia in a tertiary government hospital in Cebu City, Philippines, which aimed to identify patterns of drug use, potential drug therapy problems, and examine the appropriateness of use. The study utilized a retrospective observational design. A review of medical records was carried out from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2022. Data collected includes patient demographics, diagnosis, and prescribed antipsychotic medications. Descriptive statistics in Microsoft Excel® were used to report findings, and a Poisson regression model in IBM SPSS Software version 25 was used to analyze the data. A total of 109 patient medical records were screened, with 33 records selected based on the inclusion criteria. Risperidone (35.4%) was the most prescribed antipsychotic drug. A higher inclination towards the use of second-generation antipsychotics was observed than first-generation antipsychotics. Paliperidone palmitate injection had the highest consumption (4.8056 defined daily doses/100 bed days) among the antipsychotics. It was found that underinvestment in newer medications limits patient access. Significant relationships were found between the number of drugs per medication order and male gender (p = 0.002) and substance abuse disorder (p = 0.07). The average number of antipsychotic drugs prescribed per medication record was 1.97, while the average number of drugs per patient was 3.82. All the medications were prescribed by their generic names and sourced from the Philippine National Drug Formulary. Injectable drugs accounted for 19.05% of the total medications. Drug therapy problems, such as drug-drug interactions (82%) and therapeutic duplication (58%), were prevalent. There were substance use disorders (9.09%) as a comorbidity among patients studied. There is a prescribing trend towards second-generation antipsychotics, with risperidone being the most frequently prescribed antipsychotic medication. Utilization patterns of antipsychotics generally conformed to the WHO standard recommendations. This study highlights the high consumption of paliperidone palmitate injection, which calls for further research on antipsychotic consumption in patients with comorbid substance use disorder. Strengthening pharmacist involvement in patient care alongside policy-driven approaches can improve access, optimize therapy, and ensure quality antipsychotic medication use.
The global transition toward patient-centered pharmaceutical care has exposed structural disparities in ASEAN pharmacy workforce training and deployment. This review examines four research questions: how pharmacy education systems and accreditation standards differ across Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Singapore (collectively, the ASEAN-5); the extent to which pre-registration education influences clinical service scope and professional confidence; how education reform and regulatory change have shaped pharmacist clinical roles; and what barriers and enablers exist for regional qualification harmonization. A systematic literature review following PRISMA 2020 was conducted. Searches of PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus, supplemented by grey literature, were completed in May 2026. Of 78 unique records screened, 46 studies published between 2005 and 2026 met inclusion criteria. Quality appraisal used an adapted Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool; synthesis employed narrative thematic analysis. The five countries represent four structurally distinct pharmacy education architectures: Thailand's standardized six-year Doctor of Pharmacy with dual specialization tracks; four-year Bachelor of Pharmacy programmes in Malaysia and the Philippines with institutional variation; Indonesia's clinically underdeveloped system despite rapid expansion; and Singapore's four-year Bachelor of Pharmacy followed by a nationally mandated one-year pre-registration pathway. Evidence links deeper clinical training to broader practice scope, higher confidence, and improved patient outcomes. Reform produced uneven results: Thailand's PharmD transition improved clinical recognition but exposed deployment paradoxes; Singapore achieved the strongest training-to-practice alignment; Indonesia's health insurance reforms were not absorbed by an underprepared workforce; the Philippines lacks a national competency framework. No binding mutual recognition arrangement was identified; divergent qualification structures, incompatible accreditation systems, and an asymmetric evidence base remain the primary barriers. These findings indicate that clinical service scope is bounded less by national policy ambition than by the depth and clinical orientation of the pre-registration education that precedes it, and that credentialing reforms which outpace a health system's capacity to absorb new clinical roles, or the reverse, do not by themselves translate into expanded practice. Pharmacy education across the ASEAN-5 remains nationally distinct and clinically uneven. Clinical service scope is directly bounded by pre-registration education quality. No country has fully closed the education-practice gap. Regional harmonization requires national-level educational reform as a prerequisite.
The deep-sea isopod Bathynomus propinquus Richardson, 1910, was described based on a single male juvenile from the Verde Island Passage, central-western Philippines, but owing to its immaturity, had long been considered unidentifiable and treated as a nomen dubium. Settling the identity of B. propinquus, however, is important because the name remains available and nomenclaturally precedes all other species of supergiant Bathynomus in the Indo-West Pacific, with its type locality within the reported range of B. jamesi Kou, Chen & Li in Kou et al. 2017, raising the obvious possibility that the two nominal species could be conspecific. Detailed studies of B. jamesi sensu lato in the South China Sea revealed that it comprises two species distinguished by morphology and strong mitochondrial sequence divergence: a northern form (B. jamesi sensu stricto) ranging from Vietnam to off Hainan and the Dongsha Islands, and a southeastern form (here identified as B. propinquus) from the Verde Island Passage, southern Luzon, Philippines. Bathynomus propinquus is here considered a valid species based on re-evaluation of the holotype, additional material, new characters, size-related variation, and molecular data. Bathynomus propinquus belongs to the group of Indo-West Pacific supergiants sharing upturned pleotelson spines, most of which were formerly confused with B. kensleyi Lowry & Dempsey, 2006 from the Coral Sea, herein referred to as the B. kensleyi group. Given the new data on supergiants in the South China Sea, a key to the species of the B. kensleyi group is provided. A new record of B. wilsoni Ahyong, 2025 from the northern Sulu Sea is also reported.
Anti-tuberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity (DIH) is a common complication among people living with HIV (PLWH), potentially leading to treatment interruptions. To determine the incidence of DIH and identify risk factors in Thai and Filipino PLWH on tuberculosis (TB) treatment, compared with those with TB mono-infection. We conducted a cohort study of Thai and Filipino adults with active TB using retrospective data from Thailand (2000-2024) and prospective data from the Philippines (2024). DIH was defined as AST or ALT ≥3 times the upper limit of normal. Logistic regression was used to assess DIH risk factors among PLWH; TB treatment outcomes were compared by DIH status. Among 222 participants (138 PLWH, 84 HIV-negative), median age was 38 years, 63% were male, and median body mass index (BMI) was 18.2 kg/m2. DIH occurred in 13.8% of PLWH and 9.5% of HIV-negative individuals (P = 0.35), with median onset at 10 and 3 weeks, respectively. Among PLWH, hepatitis C co-infection (aOR 5.84, 95% CI 1.51-22.55, P = 0.01) and lower BMI (aOR 0.78/kg/m2, 95% CI 0.63-0.97, P = 0.03) were independently associated with DIH. Dolutegravir use showed a non-significantly lower DIH risk (OR 0.51, 95%CI, 0.18 - 1.42). TB treatment success was similar between those with and without DIH (92.6% vs 90.3%); mortality was slightly higher with DIH (3.7% vs 1.5%). Hepatitis C co-infection and low BMI are key risk factors for DIH among PLWH receiving TB treatment. Despite these risks, DIH did not significantly impact treatment outcomes.
This study developed a substantive grounded theory explaining how middle-aged gay men in Cebu City, Philippines, construct their attitudes toward aging. Using constructivist grounded theory methodology, 12 middle-aged gay men aged 35 to 50 were recruited through purposive and theoretical sampling and participated in semi-structured in-depth interviews. Data analysis employed initial, focused, and theoretical coding, guided by constant comparative analysis. The core category, Improvising Survival Without Guarantees, emerged as the central explanatory process through which participants navigate aging outside the normative Filipino life course. Ten substantive categories were organized into three domains: Material Improvisation, Relational Improvisation, and Psychological Improvisation, with Seeing Futures in Others' Lives serving as a bridging category across all domains. Findings challenge static models of aging attitudes and demonstrate how marginalized populations exercise creative agency in constructing pathways toward security, meaning, and dignity in later life. Theoretical propositions and implications for queer aging research, Filipino psychology, and decolonial gerontology are discussed.
BackgroundIndustrial ice manufacturing utilizing anhydrous ammonia (NH3) refrigeration presents high-severity occupational risks. While strictly mandated in the Philippines by Republic Act No. 11058, a profound execution gap often persists within decentralized provincial economies.ObjectiveThis research evaluates baseline levels, structural gaps, and predictive factors of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) compliance, hazard awareness, and operational practices among ice manufacturers in Bislig City, Philippines.MethodsUtilizing a quantitative cross-sectional design, data was gathered via a total population census (N = 25) from a commercial plant (CC Ice Plant) and a cooperative facility (MAFISCO). Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) was executed to isolate institutional predictors of worker hazard awareness.ResultsThe workforce is male dominated (96%) and extraordinarily junior, with 64% possessing five years of experience or less. Hazard mapping demonstrated a "catastrophe bias," where 80% of workers prioritize acute chemical threats (ammonia leaks) while systematically under-prioritizing chronic physical hazards like slips, trips, and falls (44%). The MLR model demonstrated exceptional predictive capacity, explaining 93.5% of the variance in hazard awareness (p = 0.009, Adjusted R2 = 0.935). Training Frequency functioned as the strongest relative predictor (β = 0.613, p = 0.001), closely supported by floor-level Supervisory Support (β = 0.479, p = 0.001) and visible Compliance Enforcement (β = 0.395, p = 0.001).ConclusionsExpanding administrative training hours in isolation is insufficient; its real-world utility in enhancing hazard awareness hinges entirely on concurrent, visible shop-floor enforcement and active supervisory reinforcement.
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ChatGPT, an advanced artificial intelligence (AI) platform developed by OpenAI, is increasingly used in nursing education and practice. However, limited studies have explored its use among student nurses and how factors such as sex and year level affect its adoption. Addressing this gap is essential to ensure the responsible integration of AI and preserve nursing competencies, such as critical thinking and problem-solving. This study aimed to determine the extent of ChatGPT use among student nurses, including differences between sexes and year level, as well as the factors that facilitate or hinder its use. This quantitative descriptive study involved student nurses from Saint Louis University, Baguio City, selected through proportionate random sampling in February 2024. Participants were aged 18 years or older, enrolled in the 2023-2024 academic year, and had prior experience using ChatGPT. The researchers administered a 30-item self-developed questionnaire, which demonstrated strong content validity (CVI = 0.92) and reliability (Cronbach's α = 0.85). Researchers used weighted mean to measure the extent of ChatGPT use, two-sample t-tests, and ANOVA to evaluate significant differences by sex and year level, and frequency and percentage to identify the most common factors that facilitate and hinder its use. All analyses were conducted using Jamovi version 2.4. Student nurses (N = 300) reported a slightly extensive use of ChatGPT (x̄w = 2.40), with quick response time (x̄ = 2.85) and concise summarization of key concepts (x̄ = 2.85) as the main reasons for use. There were no significant differences in use between sexes (p = 0.761) or year levels (p = 0.062). The most frequently reported facilitating factors were ease of use (66.67%) and ability to generate useful answers (50.33%), while the main hindrances were long user queues (45.33%) and lack of references (45%). The adoption of ChatGPT among student nurses is driven by its ease of use, perceived usefulness, and quality of responses, as reflected in participants' moderate to slightly extensive use for summarizing concepts, generating ideas, and obtaining explanations. In light of these findings, nursing programs should incorporate ChatGPT as a supportive learning resource while guiding its responsible use. Future research should ensure balanced gender representation, consider demographic factors such as age and technological proficiency, and explore ChatGPT's applications across disciplines using qualitative or mixed-methods approaches.
Toxoplasmosis, a zoonotic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii, poses significant health risks, especially to high-risk individuals who are exposed to cats. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to toxoplasmosis and determine its seroprevalence among selected high-risk groups in Cebu, Philippines-specifically veterinary students, veterinary personnel, and cat owners. A total of 416 participants completed a structured questionnaire evaluating their demographics, exposure history, and KAP levels, while 250 underwent further rapid serological testing for T. gondii. Results of the relative proportions revealed that there were more veterinary students who were having high level of knowledge (61%), compared to veterinary personnel (46%) and cat owners (24%). Relative proportions revealed that there were more veterinary students who were having high level of knowledge (61%), compared to veterinary personnel (46%) and cat owners (24%). Similar pattern was observed in the attitude level for veterinary students (54%), veterinary personnel (36%) and cat owners (32%). However, practice level showed that more veterinary personnel (54%) had high level than the veterinary students (35%) and cat owners (35%). The over-all seroprevalence of T. gondii was 29.2%, with the highest relative detection rates among veterinary personnel (43.8%) and cat owners (39%). While statistical analyses revealed no significant differences between the KAP levels of the three groups, significant associations between seropositivity and profile variables, including age, educational attainment, previous medical history, and frequency of cat contact (P ≤ 0.05) were found. These results highlight the need for sustained public education, improved veterinary and public health training, responsible pet ownership, and better access to diagnostic services.
Hyperbilirubinemia is the most common neonatal morbidity. In the Philippines, neonates are at a higher risk for developing significant hyperbilirubinemia (SH) due to belonging to the East Asian race and high incidence of G6PD deficiency. The aim of this study is to determine an effective plasma bilirubin cut-off value at the 24th hour of life (HOL) in Filipino term infants, associated with the development of significant hyperbilirubinemia at the 72nd HOL. A prospective multicentric cohort involving 21 medical centers nationwide recruited 2099 mother-infant dyads with 1688 completing the 72nd HOL follow-up. Using a point-of-care tool (Bilistick 2.0), plasma bilirubin was determined at the 24th and 72nd HOL. The 24th-hour bilirubin level (≥ 7.5 mg/dL) can accurately predict the development of SH at the 72nd HOL. Other significant risk factors include decreased urine and stool frequencies in the first 3 days as well as jaundice noted in the first 24 hours of life. For Filipino infants, the 24th HOL bilirubin level of 7.5 mg/dL is a good cut-off level to predict subsequent significant hyperbilirubinemia. Pre-discharge bilirubin screening programs in the Philippines should consider the 24th HOL bilirubin as well as clinical risk factors to effectively identify at risk neonates. Significant hyperbilirubinemia is an important public health problem in the Philippines. Total bilirubin determination performed at the 24th hour of life can adequately predict development of significant hyperbilirubinemia at the 72nd hour of life. A 24 h bilirubin level of ≥ 7.5 mg/dL can be used as a cut-off value to identify Filipino infants at risk of developing significant hyperbilirubinemia. The Bilistick 2.0 device is a reliable tool to determine total bilirubin among Filipino infants. Establishment of a pre-discharge bilirubin screening program utilizing the 24 h bilirubin level plus risk factors (inadequate breastmilk intake, blood incompatibility, late preterm, bruising) is recommended to identify at risk Filipino infants.
East and Southeast Asia account for over half of global pork production but face unprecedented challenges from transboundary animal diseases (TADs). African swine fever (ASF) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) are two of the most consequential diseases reshaping the region's swine industry. This narrative review summarizes literature and institutional reports from peer-reviewed scientific databases to provide a clear comparative epidemiological overview of these diseases across a strategic cross-section of four major producers: China, Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines. While both viruses exploit identical regional vulnerabilities, such as high-density smallholder networks, porous border trade, and farm-level containment gaps, their transmission characteristics and evolutionary patterns differ fundamentally. Driven by extreme environmental resistance, the ASF virus operates primarily via human-mediated, anthropogenic routes and has evolved from causing acute epidemics to an unpredictable endemic state marked by recombinant and gene-deleted strains. Conversely, the highly dynamic, rapidly evolving PRRS virus acts as a self-sustaining endemic engine driven by efficient host persistence, long-distance aerosol spread, and immune-evasive genetic diversification. Furthermore, national control strategies vary widely based on production infrastructure, ranging from China's mega-industrialization and precision culling to Vietnam's reliance on partial live-attenuated vaccination, Thailand's strict physical biosecurity, and the Philippines's archipelagic zoning. Together, these approaches highlight that preparedness and disease control in each country depend on harmonized strategies, upgraded biosecurity standards, knowledge sharing among the stakeholders, and transparent surveillance aligned with the World Organization for Animal Health guidelines. Importantly, cross-learning between ASF and PRRS, as well as among other TADs' frameworks, offers a pathway to more resilient not only national but also regional food security. Ultimately, advancing transboundary preparedness in the region requires coordinated, multi-country collaboration that integrates molecular surveillance networks and validated immunization protocols with practical, system-adapted execution.
This issue of JORH considers numerous research projects from countries steeped in Catholicism-particularly from the Philippines and Latin American countries, namely Brazil and Argentina. Additional research is also included with regard to various spirituality scales, and finally research is presented regarding the after-effects of COVID-19.
The Philippine Journal of Nuclear Medicine, the official publication and peer-reviewed journal of the Philippine Society of Nuclear Medicine, serves as a primary repository of research articles by Filipino nuclear medicine physicians. Despite rapid global developments in nuclear medicine, local research output remains underexplored. With 20 volumes and multiple articles published, the PJNM best reflects the situation of nuclear medicine research in the country. This study analyzed and described local research productivity through a bibliometric analysis of PJNM from 2002 to 2025. Full-text research articles were retrieved from both physical and online sources. Eligible articles were classified by study type. Bibliographic data such as authorship and institutional affiliation were extracted. Descriptive statistics and bibliometric mapping using VOSviewer were employed to evaluate publication trends, collaboration networks, and keyword occurrences. A total of 134 full text articles were included. Publication output peaked during 2010-2012, followed by stable but modest productivity in subsequent years. Observational studies (53%) comprised the majority of publications, followed by case report/series (40%), and meta-analyses/systematic review (7%). No experimental studies were published. JM Obaldo was the most prolific author (n=24), while GFL Goco demonstrated the strongest collaborative links (37). St. Luke's Medical Center-Quezon City produced the highest research output and linkages. Keyword mapping revealed seven thematic clusters, namely: bone imaging, cardiac and parathyroid scintigraphy, radioactive iodine therapy for thyroid cancer, pediatric scintigraphy, prostate cancer and theranostics, MPI SPECT image quality, and renal scintigraphy. The more recent articles focused on oncology, PET/CT, and theranostics. PJNM reflects the growth and evolving focus of nuclear medicine research in the Philippines. While research output is diverse and increasingly aligned with international trends, there is a need to strengthen experimental and translational studies, foster broader collaborations, and achieve international indexing to enhance visibility and global impact.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), comprising Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and IBD-unclassified, is a chronic relapsing inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract, with up to 25% of cases presenting in childhood or adolescence. Although historically uncommon in Asia, the incidence of pediatric IBD in the region has been increasing, and disease phenotype appears to differ from Western populations. In the Philippines, data on pediatric IBD remain limited, with no comprehensive local studies describing its clinical features, subtypes, and outcomes. To describe the clinico-demographic factors that are associated with remission and relapse rates in Filipino pediatric patients with IBD. Retrospective review of records of patients <19 years old with IBD from January 2013 to December 2023 in a tertiary government hospital. The clinical, biochemical, imaging, endoscopic, and histologic features, treatment, and outcomes were obtained. Chi-square and T-tests were done to compare the variables and odds ratios to check for associations; significance level set at p <0.05. Forty-seven (47) children (mean age 11 ± 5.46 years; 64% males) had IBD. Median age at diagnosis was 13 (IQR 8years). Twelve (25%) were very early onset IBD (VEO-IBD). Median duration of symptoms was 9 (IQR 4-20) months. Bloody stools were more common in UC and IBDU than in CD. Active perianal disease was seen in 30% of CD patients. For induction, UC and IBDU patients used mostly steroids and 5-ASA, while CD patients used mostly exclusive enteral nutrition and steroids. Only 30 patients had at least a 1-year follow-up. Twenty-seven (57%) went into remission within one year. Five CD patients underwent surgery. There was no difference in the 1-year steroid-free remission among the subtypes. One-year relapse rate was significantly higher in UC than in CD. VEO-IBD was associated with not achieving 1-year steroid-free remission (OR 20.8; p value 0.045). One-year relapse rate was associated with diagnostic delay (OR 13.6; p value 0.034), presence of wasting (OR 12.6; p value 0.029), and pancolitis in UC (OR 75; p value 0.043). The majority of pediatric IBD has CD, with 25% VEO-IBD. 30% of CD had active perianal disease. All subtypes responded similarly to steroids. A higher relapse rate was associated with diagnostic delay, wasting, and pancolitis in UC patients.
Despite the growing recognition of academic self-concept as a critical driver of student success, limited research has examined how high-achieving Indigenous students, particularly those from Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) communities in the Philippines, develop and sustain a positive academic self-concept in the face of systemic discrimination and socioeconomic disadvantage. Thus, this study explored the development of academic self-concept among Sama Dilaut university graduates and how they navigated the relationship between their cultural identity and their evolving identity as successful student. A qualitative case study design was employed, involving seven Sama Dilaut university graduates selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted in English, Filipino, and Sinama. Analysis followed a four-stage process: coding, frequency counting, theming, and categorization, with the aid of ATLAS.ti version 26. Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory served as a sensitizing framework for interpreting the findings of the study. The results revealed that academic self-concept developed through overcoming socioeconomic and cultural challenges, including discrimination, bullying, and financial constraints, while drawing on family, peer, and community support, with spiritual commitment, personal goals, and resilience serving as critical sustaining factors. Through an ecological lens, these influences operated across microsystem (family, peers, teachers), mesosystem (school-community connections), exosystem (scholarship policies), macrosystem [cultural values, discrimination, Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act (IPRA)], and chronosystem (historical marginalization). Graduates perceived their Sama Dilaut identity as an empowering force rather than a barrier, integrating cultural values, multilingual skills, and community-oriented responsibilities to achieve academic success and personal empowerment, resulting in transformative benefits, including increased confidence, leadership capabilities, social recognition, and financial stability. The findings underscore the need for enhanced community-school collaboration, expanded financial assistance programs, culturally responsive curricula aligned with the Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act (IPRA), and leadership development opportunities for Indigenous students. Policies should recognize cultural identity as an asset while addressing the systemic barriers to educational access and success.
There is a notable lack of studies investigating the mental health associations of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Global South, particularly with regard to the use of digital technologies. We aimed to investigate the cross-sectional associations of digital technology use with mental health indicators during the pandemic in 12 countries in the Global South. We used data from the UNICEF Innocenti Disrupting Harm survey. The survey included a representative sample of 11,912 internet-using children aged 12-17 in Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. We modelled the associations of social connection during lockdown and internet use during the pandemic with six different indicators of wellbeing in each country (excluding Tanzania, where there had been no lockdowns) and in the overall sample using robust linear and logistic regression. We controlled for a range of putative socioeconomic and demographic confounders and handled missing data using multiple imputation. We did not find clear evidence for any general associations of social connection or internet use with mental health indicators during lockdown across countries. Rather, our results are complex and demonstrate that the relationship depends heavily on an individual's context; not just on the country they are living in but also on their gender, urbanicity and other factors. Nonetheless, our results highlight key focus areas for further research. Extensive further research is needed to identify ways in which technology use, including internet use, might act as a risk or protective factor relevant to mental ill health among young people in the countries of the Global South.
Salispina (Salispinaceae, Rhipidiales), a mangrove-associated oomycete, is characterized by uniquely forming aculeolate sporangia. In this study, six Salispina strains were isolated from fallen mangrove leaves collected in coastal sites in the Philippines. A combined strategy of morphology, morphometric analyses, physiology, and multilocus phylogeny assigned the isolates as Salispina lobata (USTCMS 1612, USTCMS 1613, USTCMS 1617) and Salispina hoi (USTCMS 1614, USTCMS 1615, USTCMS 1616). Multilocus phylogenetic analyses consistently assigned the isolates into two strongly supported clades corresponding to the two species. Despite the clear phylogenetic separation, both species exhibited extensive overlaps in sporangial morphology (i.e., shape and spine distribution) across culture conditions. Morphometric principal component analyses revealed broadly overlapping morphospaces, with culture conditions exhibiting a stronger influence on sporangial size than species identity. Agar-grown cultures frequently developed enlarged, lobate to irregular, and extensively aculeolate sporangia, whereas globose to obpyriform forms with apical spines predominated in water cultures. Temperature and salinity growth profiles were broadly overlapping between the two species, showing optimal growth at 30 ° C and tolerance to moderate salinity levels. These findings demonstrate culture-dependent phenotypic plasticity in Salispina and highlight the importance of integrative taxonomy for delimiting closely related oomycete species with overlapping morphological traits.