Silliman Journal

Navigating Political Dynamics and Health Inequities: Challenges to Precision Medicine in a Rural Health Setting

Kim G. Sarong — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In this era of dramatic, rampant, and incessant political change, predictions about the future can no longer be based either on conventional wisdom or historical precedent. We are, after all, in the middle of a paradigm shift that is shredding prognosticators and their prognostications with voraciousness – especially in the acquisition and distribution of health services to the consumers. Health status has improved dramatically in the Philippines over the last 40 years: infant mortality has dropped by two- thirds, the prevalence of communicable diseases has fallen and life expectancy has increased to over 70 years. However, considerable inequities in health care access and outcomes between socio-economic groups remain. Thus, this paper primarily sought to investigate and determine the barricades and challenges towards the attainment of precision medicine in small-scale locale study. This qualitative study utilized small group discussions, key informant interviews, and review of secondary data. Thematic and case analysis were utilized by the researcher to analyze data as deemed and provided by the respondents. Results were based on political history and dynamics, municipal health budget, implementation of programs via the municipal or rural health unit and linkage between the municipal health sector and local government unit. Overall, delivery of health services to the public was being compromised since health workers were less knowledgeable, undertrained, and underpaid and received minimal budget allotment, consequently leading to an imprecise delivery of health goods.

A Review of Suicide Prevention Bills in Philippine Legislation and their Comparison with R.A. 11036: The Mental Health Act

Mark Anthony M. Quintos — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The passage of R.A. 11036 (Mental Health Act) has been hailed as a victory for mental health advocates. While the law itself is a step in the right direction, it cannot be considered as a law that wholly confronts the problem of suicide. Rather, bills focusing on suicide prevention remain pending in Congress with no certainty as to their eventual fates. This study reviews the bills filed before the 13th up to the 19th Congress of the Philippines (2004 to 2024) and identifies the different steps they propose for suicide prevention. These proposed steps are compared with the provisions of R.A. 11036 to determine whether the existing law is sufficient to deal with the suicide problem or whether there is a need for further legislation specific to suicide prevention. Results showed that there were 32 suicide bills proposed in a span of 20 years. These bills can be divided into 7 themes and they stipulated 19 different steps for suicide prevention – out of which only 12 were partially covered by the Mental Health Act.

Bird Species Composition, Abundance, Diversity, and Evenness at Panaad Park and Stadium and Provincial Capitol Park and Lagoon, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental

Thu, 05 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study assessed bird species composition, abundance, diversity, evenness, and species dominance in Bacolod Panaad Park and Stadium and Provincial Capitol Park and Lagoon. The point transect method was employed for seven (7) stations plotted in both locales. Five hundred eleven (511) bird individuals were recorded comprising thirty (30) species. Six (6) were endemic, 19 were residents, 3 were introduced, and 2 were migrants. Only one recorded species, Lonchura oryzivora, which is an introduced species in the Philippines and native to Indonesia, was considered endangered based on the IUCN classification. Meanwhile, Passer montanus was the most abundant in both sites. The assessment also revealed that Panaad Park and Stadium had a higher diversity index and dominance of species, while Provincial Capitol Park and Lagoon had a highly even distribution of the composition of species. Based on habitat assessment, Bacolod Panaad Park and Stadium had a better index of distance to the nearest road, number of trees, and tree height compared to Provincial Capitol Park and Lagoon which was closer to water. Moreover, the results of this study will be used as baseline information in strengthening the urban management in Negros Occidental, with an emphasis on bird diversity.

An Error Analysis of English Education Students' Academic Essays

Roem T. Tuparan, Warlito S. Caturay Jr. — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Error analysis is a process that allows the examination of language learners' errors and their sources. This type of investigation guided this study to examine 74 academic essays of second-year level English-major students taking Bachelor of Secondary Education in a state university in Negros Occidental, Philippines. Based on Gustilo and Magno’s framework (2012), 1,271 errors were identified. Of these, the most frequent error types relate to using commas, structuring sentences, verb tenses, prepositions, and word choices. In identifying the sources of these errors, Brown’s framework was used. Data reveal that many of these errors stem from intralingual transfer, indicating the learners’ incorrect application of the rules of English in their writing. Additionally, the errors in the paper were also described using the adapted frameworks of Corder and Dulay et al. Majority of the errors can be described as misinformation. The results of this study provide many pedagogical implications.

Assessment of Needs and Barriers to Continuing Professional Development among Nurses

Freslyn Lim-Saco, Theresa A. Guino-o — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is vital for nurses professional growth and advancement, ensuring high-quality, and safe patient care. This study explores the CPD needs and barriers among 51 nurses in Negros Oriental, using data from an electronic questionnaire after ethics clearance was obtained. Key CPD needs identified were Evidence-Based Practice, Promoting Healthy Workplace Culture, and Emergency Trauma Care. Major barriers included cost/registration fees, work schedules, and transportation. The study concludes that while nurses are keen on CPD and engagement in self-directed learning activities, financial, administrative, and socio-political support are needed. A well-tailored CPD program based on the knowledge of the needs and barriers enable nurses to stay updated with the latest advancements in healthcare thereby promoting high quality patient care, improvement in health outcomes, and contribute to functional multidisciplinary healthcare teams. It recommends similar studies across the Philippines to facilitate participatory and contextualized CPD implementation.

Digital Trust and Personality Types among Employees in the Workplace

Thu, 05 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study explores the relationship between personality traits and digital trust in the workplace. It emphasizes that trust is crucial to employees' willingness to embrace technology. Digital trust is defined as individuals depending on technology to complete tasks due to positive characteristics and expectations of the technology's behavior. The study focuses on the Big Five Personality traits: extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness, which are significantly related to digital trust. The research was conducted online in 36 countries, resulting in a dataset of 2,998 respondents. The findings revealed that respondents predominantly exhibited moderate levels of extraversion, openness, and neuroticism. However, agreeableness and conscientiousness traits were less prevalent among the respondents. The study also identified significant relationships between digital trust levels and the personality traits of extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness. Specifically, employees with higher extraversion showed higher digital trust levels, while those with higher agreeableness demonstrated the lowest digital trust. Additionally, the research highlighted that digital trust significantly varied across different ICT components when grouped according to employees' personality types. This indicates that trust in specific ICT components depends on individual personality traits. In conclusion, the study revealed that employees in the workplace generally exhibited moderate extraversion, neuroticism, and openness personality traits. The digital trust level among employees also shows a moderate overall level. The Big Five Personality traits significantly influenced digital trust, and employees' trust levels differed based on their personality types. Moreover, the research indicated significant differences in digital trust across various ICT components, depending on personality types. Considering the impact of personality traits on digital trust, organizations can design targeted interventions to promote a technology-embracing culture and enhance technology adoption. Recognizing the significance of extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness in influencing digital trust, organizations may also consider personality assessment tools during recruitment and talent management processes.