Acta Medica PhilippinaPub Date : 2025-08-29eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.47895/amp.vi0.11167
Elmer Jasper B Llanes, Olivia T Sison, Felix Eduardo R Punzalan, Jose Eduardo Dl Duya, Nina T Castillo-Carandang, Wilbert Allan G Gumatay, Paulette D Nacpil-Dominguez, Paul Ferdinand M Reganit, Rody G Sy
{"title":"Incidence and Associated Risk Factors of Hypertension among Apparently Healthy Adult Filipinos in the LIFECARE Philippine Cohort Study.","authors":"Elmer Jasper B Llanes, Olivia T Sison, Felix Eduardo R Punzalan, Jose Eduardo Dl Duya, Nina T Castillo-Carandang, Wilbert Allan G Gumatay, Paulette D Nacpil-Dominguez, Paul Ferdinand M Reganit, Rody G Sy","doi":"10.47895/amp.vi0.11167","DOIUrl":"10.47895/amp.vi0.11167","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to estimate the incidence of hypertension and determine the risk factors for hypertension among apparently healthy adult Filipinos.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This observational prospective community-based study included apparently healthy adult individuals aged 20-50 years from the Life Course Study in Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology (LIFECARE) Philippine cohort at baseline and followed-up after an average of four years. Sociodemographic data, psychosocial stress, and clinical and metabolic profiles were obtained and analyzed. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with the development of hypertension.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 2,089 non-hypertensive participants were included, with 59% women and average age of 35 years (SD = 8.4). The incidence rate of hypertension was 38.1 per 1,000 person-years. The cumulative incidence of hypertension over a mean follow-up time of four years was 15.4% (95% CI = 13.9-17.0%). The risk of incident hypertension was higher among males (aHR=1.3, 95% CI: 1.0-1.8; <i>p</i>=0.044), ≥40 years old (aHR=3.9, 95% CI: 2.6-5.8; <i>p</i><0.001), family history of hypertension (aHR=1.4, 95% CI: 1.1-1.7; <i>p</i>=0.007), abdominal obesity (aHR=1.4, 95% CI: 1.0-2.0; <i>p</i>=0.027), baseline systolic blood pressure (SBP) of at least 130 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of at least 80 mm Hg (aHR=5.1, 95% CI: 3.8-6.8; <i>p</i><0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The 4-year incidence rate of hypertension among apparently healthy adult Filipinos is high. Increased age, male sex, family history of hypertension, abdominal obesity, and high normal blood pressure were significantly associated with the development of hypertension.</p>","PeriodicalId":6994,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Philippina","volume":"59 12","pages":"19-27"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12487429/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145211345","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}
Acta Medica PhilippinaPub Date : 2025-08-29eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.47895/amp.vi0.10870
Michelle Ann D Aguilar, Ma Carmen C Tolabing
{"title":"Association between Health Literacy and Sugar-sweetened Beverage Consumption among Filipinos.","authors":"Michelle Ann D Aguilar, Ma Carmen C Tolabing","doi":"10.47895/amp.vi0.10870","DOIUrl":"10.47895/amp.vi0.10870","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are a common part of Filipino meals. Increased SSB consumption is linked to weight gain and increased risk of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Previous studies have shown that health literacy (HL) is associated with positive health outcomes. However, there are limited studies examining its relationship with specific dietary behavior, including SSB consumption.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The study aims to investigate the association between HL and SSB consumption among Filipinos aged 15 to 70 years.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An analytic cross-sectional study using secondary data from the 2018-2019 National Health Literacy Survey (NHLS) was conducted. A total of 1,765 study participants (15 to 70 years old) were included. Socio-demographic information, daily SSB consumption (<1 SSB drink per day or ≥1 SSB drink per day), and HL level (limited or sufficient) were extracted. An HL index score of ≤33 was classified as \"limited,\" while a score >33 was considered \"sufficient.\" Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to estimate adjusted odds ratios and confidence intervals for daily SSB consumption.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Out of the 1,765 study participants, 64.14% reported consuming (≥1 SSB drink per day, of whom majority (57.52%) were adults (31 to 59 years old), females (72.21%), married or in common-law partnership (65.70%), living in the Luzon region (47.23%), urban residents (71.94%), high school graduates (30.52%), have an annual household income of PhP 100,000-249,999 (37.03%), and employed (92.61%). Among those consuming ≥1 SSB drink per day, 51.89% had limited HL. Age, sex, and subnational level (National Capital Region, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao) were found to be significantly associated with the consumption of ≥1 SSB drink(s) per day. A weak association was found between HL and SSB consumption (aOR: 0.9591; 95% CI: 0.7832, 1.1747), that is, the adjusted odds of having limited HL were found to be slightly lower among those consuming ≥1 SSB drink(s) per day than those who consume <1 SSB drink/day. However, this association was found to be not statistically significant.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>There was a high prevalence of daily SSB consumption among Filipinos. Among the variables considered, only age, sex, and subnational level were found to be significant determinants of SSB consumption. The findings of the study may provide valuable insights for targeted health promotion and education interventions in reducing SSB consumption among Filipinos such as workplace wellness programs, nutrition education, and the provision of healthier beverage alternatives. Priority should be given to younger individuals, males, and residents of the National Capital Region. This research also fills a gap in the literature regarding the role of HL in SSB consumption within the Philippine context. Findings of this study support adopting the Health Literacy Un","PeriodicalId":6994,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Philippina","volume":"59 12","pages":"52-59"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12487436/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145211282","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}
Acta Medica PhilippinaPub Date : 2025-08-15eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.47895/amp.vi0.11521
Catherine Renee B Reyes, Yves Kristine G Garcia
{"title":"The Perioperative Anesthetic Management of Conjoined Twins: A Case Report.","authors":"Catherine Renee B Reyes, Yves Kristine G Garcia","doi":"10.47895/amp.vi0.11521","DOIUrl":"10.47895/amp.vi0.11521","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The perioperative management of conjoined twins poses unique anatomic, physiologic, logistic, and even ethical challenges, necessitating a multidisciplinary team approach. We present a case of omphalopagus conjoined twins separated at the second month of life (39 2/7 weeks post-conceptual age). This paper highlights significant components in the anesthetic management of conjoined twins for separation surgery, in light of modern medicine and technological advancements.</p>","PeriodicalId":6994,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Philippina","volume":"59 11","pages":"105-108"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12424557/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145063160","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}
Acta Medica PhilippinaPub Date : 2025-08-15eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.47895/amp.vi0.10687
Neil Roy B Rosales
{"title":"Nurses' Satisfaction with Adopting a Homegrown Public Tertiary Hospital Electronic Medical Record during the Pandemic.","authors":"Neil Roy B Rosales","doi":"10.47895/amp.vi0.10687","DOIUrl":"10.47895/amp.vi0.10687","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and objective: </strong>There are mixed reports on nurses' satisfaction with electronic medical records (EMR) in literature, and facilitators and barriers to its adoption were reported frequently. A Philippine public tertiary hospital developed an EMR to facilitate remote access to patient charts outside its COVID-designated areas during the pandemic. This study aims to assess nurses' satisfaction with EMR use in order to improve their user experience. The Delone and McLean Information System (D&M IS) Success Model was used as its framework. This offers a unique perspective to EMR adoption by accounting for the effects of the pandemic.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A descriptive, cross-sectional, quantitatively driven, concurrent mixed-methods design was employed. Nurses from the hospital were recruited for the survey (n=353) and the focus group discussions (n=14). Ethical approval was obtained prior to its conduct. Analysis was done through descriptive statistics, multiple linear regression, and thematic analysis. Data were integrated to appreciate the differences in their experiences from the point of adoption up to their current experiences.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Nurses initially faced challenges with the EMR when it was introduced, but improvements and continuous use have led to their current high satisfaction. Despite mandatory use and high usage scores, some daily tasks are still done manually. Use, length of service, number of patients handled, designation, and area of assignment were found to be associated with satisfaction. Thematic analysis highlighted several adoption prerequisites in this setup, including assessment of user competence and experience, and the provision of training, structural necessities, and organizational support.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study found high use and satisfaction scores, aligning with the D&M IS Success Model, despite initial adoption challenges. Recommendations include maintaining high EMR use and improving efficiency, communication, and collaboration. Emphasis was placed on the provisions of better training and continuous feedback gathering.</p>","PeriodicalId":6994,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Philippina","volume":"59 11","pages":"44-62"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12424568/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145063167","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}
Acta Medica PhilippinaPub Date : 2025-08-15eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.47895/amp.v59i11.13696
Melissa D Amosco
{"title":"Addressing Contraceptive Misconceptions in the Philippines: The Role of Primary Healthcare Provider.","authors":"Melissa D Amosco","doi":"10.47895/amp.v59i11.13696","DOIUrl":"10.47895/amp.v59i11.13696","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":6994,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Philippina","volume":"59 11","pages":"5-7"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12424558/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145063091","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}
Acta Medica PhilippinaPub Date : 2025-08-15eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.47895/amp.vi0.11494
Vanessa Joy P Gasat, Aldren R Remon
{"title":"Competency of Oncology Nurses in the Safe Handling of Chemotherapeutic Drugs.","authors":"Vanessa Joy P Gasat, Aldren R Remon","doi":"10.47895/amp.vi0.11494","DOIUrl":"10.47895/amp.vi0.11494","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>With the increasing cancer burden in the country, nurses' exposure to chemotherapy is inevitable as they belong to the workforce responsible for its preparation, administration, and disposal. These drugs are hazardous and necessitate special precautions to avoid direct exposure. Essentially, their competency must be aligned with the recommended safety guidelines to maintain quality patient outcomes while ensuring their safety.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The primary aim was to determine the competency level of Oncology nurses in terms of knowledge, skills, and attitude. The results were used to develop a training program framework for competency enhancement.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A descriptive correlational quantitative study was utilized. The study was conducted from December 2023 to February 2024 across three regions in Luzon, Philippines. The study included 203 Oncology nurses who fit the inclusion criteria. Data were collected via a four-part online questionnaire. Data were analyzed using frequency distribution, mean, standard deviation, and Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Oncology nurses exhibited excellent knowledge (x̄ = 16.18) and skills (x̄ = 3.86) but only fair attitudes (x̄ = 2.92). Knowledge correlated negatively with skills (ρs = -0.45, p<0.001) and positively with attitude (ρs = 0.71, p<0.001), while skills negatively correlated with attitude (ρs = -0.70, p<0.001). Higher education levels strongly correlated with knowledge (χ<sup>2</sup> = 213.28, p<0.001) and attitude (χ<sup>2</sup> = 214.08, p<0.001) but not skills (χ<sup>2</sup> = 25.48, p>0.001). Training in chemotherapy showed significant correlations with knowledge (χ<sup>2</sup> = 241.77, p<0.001), skills (χ<sup>2</sup> = 106.93, p<0.001), and attitude (χ<sup>2</sup> = 276.51, p<0.001). The practice environment had strong positive correlations with all competency dimensions as knowledge (χ<sup>2</sup> = 368.60, p<0.001), skills (χ<sup>2</sup> = 2850.87, p<0.001), and attitude (χ<sup>2</sup> = 1020.64, p<0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Oncology nurses demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and accurate and efficient skills but maintain a neutral attitude toward handling chemo-therapeutic drugs. These results relate to the complex interplay between the competency dimensions. There are still gaps and areas needing improvement that should be addressed and supported to align their competencies, especially along the skills and attitude dimensions. Training programs anchored on evidence-based practices and regulatory standards, and promoting a favorable practice environment are vital for their competency development.</p>","PeriodicalId":6994,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Philippina","volume":"59 11","pages":"63-74"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12424566/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145063073","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}
Acta Medica PhilippinaPub Date : 2025-08-15eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.47895/amp.vi0.10159
Juan Carlos R Abon, Apple P Valparaiso, Ann Camille Q Yuga
{"title":"Necrotizing Fasciitis of Bilateral Breasts following Unilateral Modified Radical Mastectomy for Invasive Ductal Carcinoma: A Case Report and Review of Literature.","authors":"Juan Carlos R Abon, Apple P Valparaiso, Ann Camille Q Yuga","doi":"10.47895/amp.vi0.10159","DOIUrl":"10.47895/amp.vi0.10159","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Necrotizing fasciitis of the breast is a rare but potentially fatal soft tissue infection. It may occur primarily in patients without any direct cause, and less commonly after undergoing elective surgical procedures such as cosmetic mammoplasties and oncologic resections. This is a case of a 46-year-old female with stage IIIA invasive ductal carcinoma of the left breast treated with modified radical mastectomy presenting with a necrotizing infection involving the bilateral breast regions and left lateral abdomen six days after operation. She was managed with broad-spectrum antibiotics and radical debridement with right mastectomy, followed by wound coverage with split-thickness skin grafting. This is the eight case of breast necrotizing fasciitis occurring after mastectomy for breast cancer reported in the literature.</p>","PeriodicalId":6994,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Philippina","volume":"59 11","pages":"98-104"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12424567/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145063165","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}
Acta Medica PhilippinaPub Date : 2025-08-15eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.47895/amp.vi0.10231
Leoncio L Kaw, Tricia Angela G Sarile, Alduz S Cabasa, Eduardo R Bautista
{"title":"Hybrid Repair for Complex Thoracoabdominal and Pararenal Aortic Aneurysms in High-Risk Patients: A Case Series.","authors":"Leoncio L Kaw, Tricia Angela G Sarile, Alduz S Cabasa, Eduardo R Bautista","doi":"10.47895/amp.vi0.10231","DOIUrl":"10.47895/amp.vi0.10231","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Repair of complex aortic aneurysms such as those involving the thoracoabdominal and pararenal aorta presents a formidable challenge for surgeons with significant perioperative morbidity and mortality. A hybrid procedure combining renovisceral debranching with endovascular aneurysm exclusion has been developed as an alternative approach for high-risk patients. This paper reports our initial experience with hybrid repair for these complex aortic diseases in three high-risk patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":6994,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Philippina","volume":"59 11","pages":"87-93"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12424560/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145063094","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}
Acta Medica PhilippinaPub Date : 2025-08-15eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.47895/amp.vi0.11482
Joseph F Sarmiento
{"title":"Environmental Factors, Organizational Commitment, and Turnover Intention among Frontline Nurse Managers of Internationally Accredited Private Hospitals in Metro Manila.","authors":"Joseph F Sarmiento","doi":"10.47895/amp.vi0.11482","DOIUrl":"10.47895/amp.vi0.11482","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study aimed to determine the relationship between self-assessed environmental factors, organizational commitment, and turnover intention among frontline nurse managers of internationally accredited private hospitals in Metro Manila from February to March 2024.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A descriptive correlational study among frontline nurse managers of internationally accredited private hospitals in Metro Manila utilizing total enumeration sampling was employed. Data were obtained using three adopted instruments namely: Nurse Leader Environmental Support Survey (NLESS), Three-Component Model (TCM) Employee Commitment Survey, and the Expanded Multidimensional Turnover Intention Scale (EMTIS). Data analysis was done using descriptive and inferential methods.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 195 frontline nurse manager respondents participated in this study with a response rate of 97%. The study reported environmental factors overall mean score of 7.41 generally interpreted as \"Always Supportive\" and organizational commitment mean score of 3.45 inferred that frontline nurse managers have \"Strong Commitment\" to their organization. On the other hand, frontline nurse managers reported \"Low Turnover Intention\" to their organization, with an overall mean score of 2.52. Furthermore, multiple regression analysis revealed that environmental factors and organizational commitment collectively predicted 34.2% of the variance in turnover intention (R²<b>=</b>0.342, F=50.0, p=<0.001). The environmental factors emerged as a very influential predictor of turnover intention as indicated by β=0.545, p=<0.001.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The results of the study found a strong positive correlation between environmental factors, organizational commitment, and turnover intention. Higher levels of both environmental factors and organizational commitment were linked to reduced turnover intention. Furthermore, multiple linear regression analysis showed that both environmental factors and organizational commitment were significant predictors of turnover intention.</p>","PeriodicalId":6994,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Philippina","volume":"59 11","pages":"37-43"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12424562/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145063097","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}
Acta Medica PhilippinaPub Date : 2025-08-15eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.47895/amp.vi0.10531
Pamela Mae Q Aseremo, Jayne Patricia C Herco, Charlene A Paraleon, Azel Ruth E Pumaras, Nikki M Matibag, Kevin Jace A Miranda, Rogie Royce Z Carandang
{"title":"\"They say it may cause cancer:\" A Qualitative Exploration of Filipinos' Contraceptive Misconceptions and Primary Healthcare Interventions.","authors":"Pamela Mae Q Aseremo, Jayne Patricia C Herco, Charlene A Paraleon, Azel Ruth E Pumaras, Nikki M Matibag, Kevin Jace A Miranda, Rogie Royce Z Carandang","doi":"10.47895/amp.vi0.10531","DOIUrl":"10.47895/amp.vi0.10531","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and objective: </strong>Contraceptives are widely acknowledged for preventing unwanted pregnancies. However, there is a prevalent lack of awareness regarding contraceptives, leading to unaddressed misconceptions. This study aimed to identify common contraceptive misconceptions among men and women of reproductive age and explore how primary health workers address them.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A qualitative study was conducted in two phases within District 5, Manila City. Phase 1 comprised focused group discussions with men and women of reproductive age (n=60), while Phase 2 involved conducting in-depth interviews with primary healthcare providers (n=16). MAXQDA, a qualitative software, to organize and code the data, was utilized.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Women of reproductive age reported several misconceptions about contraceptives, including concerns about adverse health effects, emotional and behavioral changes, perceived ineffectiveness, and cosmetic or bodily changes. For instance, they believed that contraceptives could lead to serious health complications, such as cancer, genital injury, and even death. Primary healthcare providers addressed these misconceptions through open dialogue during service delivery, particularly during prenatal and postpartum check-ups and infant immunizations. They utilized patient education strategies, including the teach-back method, and conducted community outreach and workshops on contraceptives and family planning, especially during Women's Month.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Several misconceptions were identified among women of reproductive age regarding the proper use and safety of contraceptive methods, as well as misguided beliefs. In contrast, men did not exhibit any misconceptions about contraceptives, which warrants further investigation. Primary healthcare providers have taken a proactive approach to address this issue by offering comprehensive explanations and ensuring clear understanding between healthcare providers and women. Promoting contraceptive health literacy could help bridge the knowledge gap between men and women of reproductive age.</p>","PeriodicalId":6994,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Philippina","volume":"59 11","pages":"8-17"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12424563/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145063136","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}