Acta Medica Philippina最新文献

{"title":"Acceptability of the Mandatory TB Notification Policy among Private Physicians in the Second District of the National Capital Region, Philippines: A Qualitative Case Study.","authors":"Kathleen Nicole T Uy, Tj Robinson T Moncatar","doi":"10.47895/amp.v60i16.13469","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.47895/amp.v60i16.13469","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Despite the critical role of the private sector in identifying the missing cases of TB, little is known about the perceptions of private physicians on mandatory TB notification. Although Republic Act 10767 has been in place for over a decade, evidence on its acceptability among private doctors remains limited.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study explored the acceptability of mandatory TB notification among private physicians in the Second District of the National Capital Region, Philippines.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study employed a descriptive qualitative case study approach. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with eight private physicians in the Second District of NCR, Philippines. A purposive sampling technique was used in selecting participants. Thematic analysis was conducted using a deductive approach guided by the Theoretical Framework for Acceptability, with manual coding performed using Microsoft Excel.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Private physicians demonstrated varying levels of acceptability of mandatory TB notification, shaped by multiple interrelated factors. Overall acceptability reflected differences in physicians' understanding of the policy, perceived burden, and perceived value of participation. These findings suggest the need for tailored strategies to improve policy acceptability among private practitioners.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings provide preliminary evidence on the acceptability of mandatory TB notification among private physicians. The results underscore the importance of understanding private sector perceptions to enhance their engagement and strengthen the country's efforts to end tuberculosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":6994,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Philippina","volume":"60 16","pages":"24-32"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13691209/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149242466","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Filipino Mothers' Initial Reactions and Responses to the Birth of a Child with a Cleft Lip and/or Palate: A Cross-sectional Study.","authors":"Fernando Alejandro C Ligot, Patricia Erika C Bautista, Rachelle L Alcovindas","doi":"10.47895/amp.v60i16.13880","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.47895/amp.v60i16.13880","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background: &lt;/strong&gt;The manuscript describes the initial reactions, concerns, and coping responses of Filipino mothers upon the birth of a child with cleft lip and/or palate. It highlights that mothers experience predominantly negative emotions (e g., shock, anxiety) alongside hope, with major concerns focused on feeding, speech, cost of surgical intervention, and social stigma. Mothers commonly respond by seeking professional help, information, social support, and engaging in religious coping behaviors.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Objective: &lt;/strong&gt;The study explored the initial reactions, concerns, and responses of Filipino mothers to the birth of their child with a cleft lip and/or palate. It aimed to identify which of the cleft types (i.e., cleft lip, cleft palate, and cleft lip and palate) showed the highest number of identified reactions, concerns, and responses.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;The study employed a quantitative research design using descriptive statistics to present the data. Purposive sampling was utilized to recruit the participants. 201 Filipino mothers of children with cleft lip and palate were recruited from a local cleft center and through an online support group of mothers with children with cleft. Data were obtained using a self-administered questionnaire that was developed based on existing tools and modified by the researchers to suit the study objectives. The instrument was subjected to a two-level validation process conducted by a team of professional speech pathologists. Results were presented using tables and graphs depicting the frequency of the participants' responses on the specifics of the study. The questionnaire was written in English and was also translated into Tagalog, the predominant local language in the Philippines.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;The initial reactions expressed by the mothers included shock (63.68%), anxiety (49.75%), worry (76.61%), and sadness (54.22%). However, a notable positive reaction was also reported, as many mothers felt hopeful (78.10%) that something could be done to improve their child's condition. The concerns raised by the mothers ranged from the costs of intervention and potential effects on the psycho-emotional development of the children due to bullying in school, as well as the impact of the condition on feeding (70.64%), speech (74.12%), and social relationships (37.31%). Many mothers sought consultations with medical and health professionals (91.54%), while others looked for existing parent support groups (50.74%) or consulted with family members (29.85%). The internet (78.10%) played a crucial role in helping these mothers by providing information about cleft lip and/or palate, guidance on where to seek help, and advice on what steps to take. Additionally, many mothers relied on their religious and cultural back-grounds (83.85%) as a means to cope with the situation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion: &lt;/strong&gt;The reactions, concerns, and responses of parents upon the","PeriodicalId":6994,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Philippina","volume":"60 16","pages":"55-66"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13691207/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149242490","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Use of Non-medical-grade Ethyl Cyanoacrylate for Temporary Skin Closure in a Bleeding Upper Eyelid Arteriovenous Malformation: A Case Report.","authors":"Mary Rose Pe Yan, Yasser E Alhasan, Gerald Jan M Lumba","doi":"10.47895/amp.v60i14.14248","DOIUrl":"10.47895/amp.v60i14.14248","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cutaneous arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) of the eyelid and orbit are rare vascular anomalies that can present with recurrent or spontaneous bleeding, particularly when the overlying skin is thinned. While definitive management involves embolization and surgical excision, achieving rapid hemostasis can be challenging in resource-limited or outpatient settings. This case report aims to describe the emergency use of non-medical-grade ethyl cyanoacrylate (CA) to achieve temporary hemostasis in an upper eyelid AVM when standard medical materials were unavailable, and to discuss its safety, limitations, and ethical considerations in resource-constrained circumstances. A 23-year-old male with a known right upper eyelid and orbital AVM, scheduled for preoperative embolization, presented with a one-week history of recurrent, profuse bleeding from a superficial skin defect overlying the lesion. Each prior bleeding episode had been controlled with approximately five minutes of firm pressure. On the day of emergency consultation, however, the patient experienced continuous bleeding that persisted despite several hours of pressure dressing. As an immediate hemostatic measure, a thin layer of non-medical-grade ethyl CA was applied to the bleeding surface, resulting in prompt cessation of hemorrhage with only minimal oozing afterward. The wound subsequently healed without secondary infection, tissue necrosis, or other complications. This case demonstrates that non-medical-grade ethyl CA may serve as a temporary hemostatic adjunct for superficial bleeding in select, resource-constrained situations involving eyelid AVMs. While potentially useful in emergencies, its application must remain cautious, limited, and followed by definitive nidus-directed management. Further reports are needed to clarify safety and standardized guidance for its emergency use.</p>","PeriodicalId":6994,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Philippina","volume":"60 14","pages":"106-111"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13525169/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148856869","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence of Hearing Problems among School-aged Children Enrolled in Special Education in Selected Public Schools in Ilocos Norte.","authors":"Joy C Alvarez, Carlos Diego A Rozul, Jose B Orosa","doi":"10.47895/amp.v60i14.13135","DOIUrl":"10.47895/amp.v60i14.13135","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Hearing screening for school-aged children is crucial to identify cases missed by newborn screening, detect delayed-onset hearing loss, and address middle ear conditions that can cause hearing impairment. This is particularly important for children with special educational needs, who may present atypical developmental patterns, increasing their risk for undetected hearing issues.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hearing problems among students enrolled in inclusive classes at selected public special education (SPED) schools in Ilocos Norte, Philippines, during the 2023-2024 academic year.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Fifty-six (56) children aged 6 to18 years old with various disabilities, with or without medical diagnoses, were screened using a protocol that included visual inspection, otoscopy, tympanometry, screening pure tone audiometry (PTA), and transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE). Children unable to complete the tests were classified as \"unable to test\" (UTT) and included in the analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Out of 56 participants, 15 (26.79%) had otologic problems, with impacted cerumen being the most common issue (19.61%). Sensorineural hearing loss (93.33%) was more prevalent than conductive hearing loss (6.66%), with severity ranging from mild (33.33%) to moderate (6.66%) to profound (60%). Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) showed the highest UTT rates. Compliance was higher for TEOAE (72.72%) compared to screening PTA (52.72%). There was an overall 78% average compliance with all procedures.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study highlights a significant prevalence of hearing problems among children with disabilities, emphasizing the importance of early detection. Prioritizing otoscopy, tympanometry with ipsilateral acoustic reflex testing, and TEOAE may improve screening efficiency and compliance in this population.</p>","PeriodicalId":6994,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Philippina","volume":"60 14","pages":"50-59"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13525171/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148856921","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Stepping into the Academe: The Lived Experience of Adjunct Novice Nurse Faculty.","authors":"Jefferson S Galanza, Deniel V Manzano, John Azilfer Ds Heruela, Karylle Ann F Gaoiran, Alyanah Mae F Gregorio, Minna Ericka G Lopez, Aryan Nicole P Maglasin, Christine Mae C Manliguez, Jazmine Anne R Mejia, Louisha Mel S Mondares, Karl John D Napat-A, Joanna Joy R Obra, Paul Gabriel C Orias","doi":"10.47895/amp.v60i14.13357","DOIUrl":"10.47895/amp.v60i14.13357","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background: &lt;/strong&gt;The nursing faculty shortage in the Philippines has reached a critical stage, which has now resulted in recruiting staff nurses without or currently taking master's degree into the academe to become adjunct nurse faculty. This phenomenon is quite new to most educational institutions in the local, regional, and even the national setting, warranting further exploration.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Objective: &lt;/strong&gt;This study explored the lived experience of adjunct nurse faculty. It generated information on their motives, preparations, and how they faced and overcame the challenges.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;A Husserlian descriptive phenomenological qualitative design was used in this study, employing constructivism as its paradigm. Eight informants were selected through purposive sampling using a non-discriminative snowball technique. Participants were registered nurses with less than a year of part-time teaching experience in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Excluded were nurses with prior faculty experience. The study protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Saint Louis University. Data were collected through unstructured individual interviews conducted face-to-face and via Google Meet between January and March 2023 until data saturation was achieved. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, coded, themed, and analyzed using Colaizzi's seven-step technique. Rigor was ensured through prolonged engagement, peer debriefing, member checking, and extensive review of transcripts and coding. Reflexivity and bracketing were observed throughout the research process.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;Five cluster themes with their corresponding themes emerged from the participants' accounts. These include \"The Driving Forces\" &lt;i&gt;(Passion to fulfill a dream; Giving back to the school; New experience and advancement; Additional income)&lt;/i&gt;, \"Getting Ready For The New Role\" &lt;i&gt;(Being oriented is a must; Getting help from seasoned faculty; Going back to the basics)&lt;/i&gt;, \"Facing the Challenges\" &lt;i&gt;(Supervising students for the first time, Overwhelming combined workloads; Role confusion from colleagues)&lt;/i&gt;, \"Making It Through\" &lt;i&gt;(Setting boundaries with colleagues on dual roles, Lowering expectations for students, Support from colleagues and the school)&lt;/i&gt; \"Feeling Good and Fulfilled\" &lt;i&gt;(Personal and professional growth, Feels good to be appreciated)&lt;/i&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion: &lt;/strong&gt;Adjunct novice nurse faculty's experience was rooted and influenced by several driving forces that significantly shaped their journey into becoming nurse educators. They went through a phase of preparation before taking over their new role to equip themselves in an unfamiliar environment. Confronted by the various challenges brought about by their new role, they were able to strive to persevere and make it through. Navigating these experiences can be challenging and rewarding, ultimately contributing to their growth, fu","PeriodicalId":6994,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Philippina","volume":"60 14","pages":"65-76"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13525172/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148856877","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Vision to Globalize the ACTA.","authors":"Angela G Sison-Aguilar","doi":"10.47895/amp.v60i14.14536","DOIUrl":"10.47895/amp.v60i14.14536","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":6994,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Philippina","volume":"60 14","pages":"5-6"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13525170/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148856959","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Self-care Practices of Hypertensive Adult Female Patients in the City of Marikina amidst the COVID-19 Lockdown: A Phenomenological Inquiry.","authors":"Ereca Joy D Debalucos, Lorreneil M Capacio, Andrea E Castillo, Louiejabe Y Nuniala, Shane Andrelei D Perez, Emerito Jose A Faraon, Carlos Primero D Gundran","doi":"10.47895/amp.v60i14.13805","DOIUrl":"10.47895/amp.v60i14.13805","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Hypertension is one of the leading causes of morbidity in the Philippines owing to urbanization, population growth, and individual lifestyles. Upon the advent of COVID-19 in the Philippines, Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) was imposed from March to May 2020, resulting in mobility restrictions and changing the overall focus of the health system.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This paper aims to understand and describe daily experiences, self-care practices (SCPs), and barriers and facilitators involved in the management of hypertension of selected female hypertensive patients in Marikina City during ECQ.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A descriptive phenomenological design complemented with purposeful sampling was employed to gather in-depth information regarding lived experiences and SCPs of female hypertensive patients aged 40-59 in the City of Marikina during ECQ.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Inductive thematic analysis using NVivo12 Qualitative Data Analysis software following 13 in-depth inter-views revealed five themes: 'pagkakulong' or imposition, 'pagpapahalaga' or preservation, 'pakikibagay' or adaptation, 'palakasan' or inclination, and 'panawagan' or petition. Discontinuation and acquisition of SCPs were influenced by factors external to participants, while retention of practices was influenced mainly by individual factors, implying that a patient-centered approach is important in drafting interventions and creating policies for long periods of lockdown.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The imposed ECQ affected environmental and macro-level factors surrounding discontinuation, retention, and acquisition of SCPs related to hypertension. Inequities in resource distribution affected patient perception of health services and willingness to seek care. Recommendations include establishing an association between barriers, facilitators, and outcomes and broadening the study's coverage to wider demographics.</p>","PeriodicalId":6994,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Philippina","volume":"60 14","pages":"36-49"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13525166/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148856941","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prescription Errors in a Mental Healthcare Facility: A Content Analysis of Brief Interviews.","authors":"Charalambos Dokos, Jost Eberlein, Olympia Konstantakopoulou, Alexandra Skitsou, Petros Galanis, Georgios Charalambous, Kyriakoula Manaridou","doi":"10.47895/amp.v60i14.13854","DOIUrl":"10.47895/amp.v60i14.13854","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background: &lt;/strong&gt;The role of prescription errors (PE) in mental healthcare environments is not well understood. There are few studies that have examined PE in psychiatric hospitals. Although the occurrence of PE in mental health facilities is less frequent than in general hospitals, the specifics of PE remain unclear.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Objective: &lt;/strong&gt;The study aims to shed light on both the circumstances of each PE in a regional psychiatric hospital in Germany and the factors that shape the nature of PE.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;This qualitative narrative investigation was part of a large-scale one-year observational study (January 2023 - 2024) conducted at St. Josef psychiatric hospital AMEOS Oberhausen in Germany. The therapeutic protocols of the patients were anonymized, and PE were identified according to a modified EQUIP method. For each PE, a double-blind interview was conducted and recorded. Through the interviews, we extracted the keywords based on their frequency and by using NVivo 13 software we build up a codebook followed by a Delphi consensus to clarify the nature of the PE. The observers also recorded the prescriber's behavioral patterns. An analysis of the thematic patterns, semantic groups, and principal factors was executed.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;In total, 6020 therapeutic plans were compiled, and 150 PE were detected, leading to an error rate of 2.5%. The predominant PE were associated with medications for musculoskeletal and joint disorders, followed by gastrointestinal drugs and central nervous system (CNS) medications, including psychotropics. The mean duration of the interviews was 2.6 ± 0.8 minutes. The average age of the prescribers was 35.5 ± 4.9 years, with 52.1% being male. Through the interviews, we extracted the following keywords: minimum - shortest time, time - under pressure, unrecognizable - unidentifiable script, vision loss - lack of lighting, lack of knowledge, stress - work stress. There were few cases reported where prescribers failed to pay attention, experienced communication breakdowns, suffered from lack of sleep, had concentration issues, issued unnecessary prescriptions, responded to patient requests, and made misspellings. The average meeting duration was 20 ± 4.2 minutes. The Delphi consensus indicated that there are four primary semantic groups: features of time, reading - spelling challenges, poor lighting, and communication difficulties. These are identified as key factors contributing to PE in mental health contexts, and a hypothesis regarding the nature of writing PE is discussed.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions: &lt;/strong&gt;Although nearly all PE were classified as minor in severity, the qualitative research indicated variability in the responses from prescribers regarding each PE. Nonetheless, there are prominent semantic categories, such as temporal aspects, the act of writing, and environmental conditions, that could clarify the characteristics of PE. We suggest that t","PeriodicalId":6994,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Philippina","volume":"60 14","pages":"96-105"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13525173/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148856904","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Time to Keratometric Stability after Pterygium Excision Surgery in a Tertiary Hospital in the Philippines.","authors":"Anselme W Ang, Lilette Marie B Canilao, Jennifer Joy Santos-Rayos, Maria Fe S Navarrete","doi":"10.47895/amp.v60i14.12934","DOIUrl":"10.47895/amp.v60i14.12934","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Pterygium is a common benign fibrovascular growth of the conjunctiva extending onto the cornea that induces corneal distortion and astigmatism as it progresses. Following excision, transient keratometric instability may occur, making the timing of refractive procedures dependent on the restoration of corneal stability.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The study aimed to identify the time to achieve keratometric stability after pterygium excision surgery and associated factors.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This was an observational retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent pterygium excision within a period of 6 months. Data were abstracted from electronic medical records. The Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used to analyze the time to keratometric stability. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to identify the associated factors.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 58 eyes that underwent pterygium excision from January 2022 to December 2023 were included in the analysis. There was no statistically significant difference in terms of age, sex, laterality, polarity, and surgical technique. Ninety-one percent (n=53) demonstrated keratometric stability three months after pterygium excision. All eyes (100%) reached keratometric stability at the post-operative six-month period. The median time to reach keratometric stability was 4 weeks (1 month), and the maximum time is six months.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Higher-grade pterygia required longer to achieve postoperative keratometric stability, informing optimal timing of subsequent procedures. Biometry for cataract surgery is best performed ≥3 months after excision (≈6 months for Grade 3) to ensure accurate IOL calculation, with further studies needed to evaluate varied cases and long-term outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":6994,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Philippina","volume":"60 14","pages":"60-64"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13525164/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148856930","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Effectiveness of Vestibular Stimulation in Reducing Academic Stress among Student Nurses in School X.","authors":"Althea Joyce I Ong, Jan Michael R Aquino, Julliene Maxene D Boadilla, Hojin Choi, Kristelle Camille G De Jesus, Angelene Zyra P Gamboa, Keziah C Lagrosa, Tatiana Gabrielle D Malsi, Joana Marie S Quinto, Christian Johann C Torres, Dunstein Avery G Tumapang, Elizabeth H Bautista, Catalina T Waking","doi":"10.47895/amp.v60i14.13174","DOIUrl":"10.47895/amp.v60i14.13174","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Vestibular stimulation, particularly through rhythmic swinging, has been associated with relaxation, stress reduction, and improved psychological well-being by modulating physiological and emotional responses. Academic stress is highly prevalent among nursing students due to demanding workloads, clinical placements, and examinations, negatively affecting their physical health, mental well-being, and academic performance. Despite existing coping strategies, the potential of vestibular stimulation as a stress management intervention among student nurses remains underexplored.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to determine the effect of vestibular stimulation, specifically swinging, in reducing academic stress among student nurses, evaluating its effectiveness across year levels and assessing variations in duration and position. Grounded in Ulrich's Stress Reduction Theory, it investigated the physiological and psychological mechanisms through which vestibular stimulation may alleviate stress.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A quasi-experimental design was used with 78 student nurses from School X in Baguio City, stratified by year level. Participants were 18 years and above and physically capable of performing the intervention. Those with medical conditions, musculoskeletal issues, orthostatic intolerance, mental health treatment, recent stress interventions, and weighing over 100 kg were excluded. Participants were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The intervention group received vestibular stimulation in lying and sitting positions for five and ten minutes, while the control group followed their usual routines. Stress levels were measured using the Perceived Academic Stress Scale (PASS). A two-way ANOVA tested the effects of position and duration on stress levels, with Bonferroni post hoc tests at p <0.05.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The intervention group showed a significant reduction in academic stress compared with the control group. Differences in stress reduction were noted based on duration and body position.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Vestibular stimulation effectively reduces academic stress among student nurses by triggering physiological responses linked to relaxation. Integrating this intervention into nursing education is recommended, including creating campus spaces that support its use.</p>","PeriodicalId":6994,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Philippina","volume":"60 14","pages":"87-95"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13525167/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148856946","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}