Assessing cognition, health behavior, reasoned action, and planned behavior on HIV/AIDS among openly homosexual men

This study investigated the cognitive, health behavior, reasoned action and planned behaivor assessment on HIV/AIDS among openly homosexual men. The respondents of the study were 50 openly homosexual students and professors. Snowball sampling was employed. This descriptive study utilized a standardized questionnaire divided into three parts formulated by Carey and Schroder, and Tlou  wherein parametric measures and scoring stencils were employed. The study revealed that cognition of openly homosexual men about HIV/AIDS imposes the need for further awareness programs. Additionally, the health behavior of the respondents was shown to have poor to fair standings in terms of condom use, HIV test seeking, and monogamy data. Furthermore, reasoned action and planned behavior of the respondents’ behavioral index denotes that they had above-average behavioral control in relation to their subjective norm. Similarly, the data suggested that their social circles greatly affects their perception of HIV and their adherence on the proper method in terms of HIV testing, condom use and faithfulness to their partners. Evaluations of cognitive assessment and the health behavior index, reasoned action, and planned behavior were not linked while the relationship between the three variables was found to be concomitant. Further findings revealed that there is no significant relationship between cognitive assessment and health behavioral index (p=0.98). There was also no significant relationship found between cognitive assessment and reasoned action and planned behavior (behaviour intention (p=0.98), attitude (p=0.165), subjective norms (p=0.272) and perceived behaviour control (p=0.181). Health behaviour index on the other hand had a significant relationship with reasoned action and planned behaviour (behaviour intention (p=0.00), attitude (p=0.00), subjective norms (p=0.00) and perceived behaviour control (p=0.00))

Fractality of global primary school dropout rates

The significant number of dropouts of children from their primary education has directly contributed to a country’s high percentage of illiteracy and the huge wastage of government funds. The present study looks into the prevalent causative factors of the dropout rates in the primary school education among nations. The method of fractal analysis helped probe deeper the exceptional cases that are still prevalent in some countries all over the world which serve as drivers of dropout rates in the primary level of education. Out of the 152 countries included in this study, at least seven of them cause its non-fractality. These countries that cause non-fractality indicate common and exceptional contributing factors in the primary education dropout rate phenomenon in the world. The use of fractal dimensions in investigating global primary school dropout rates showed that aside from the perennial factors that cause high dropout rates in the primary education level among countries i.e. economic, other prevalent causative factors come into play such as educational system, social status and social climate which nations all over the world must address if they are indeed serious to their commitment to the MDG on education. This fractality has showed that a significant number of dropout rates of children from their primary education have directly contributed to a country’s high percentage of illiteracy and the huge wastage of government funds

Validation of the general and professional education areas of the college of education’s retention examination

Part of the goals of the College of Education of Tarlac State University is to be recognized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) as one of the Centers of Excellence in Teacher Education Program in Region III and in the whole country and to be awarded level 4 program accreditation by the Accrediting Agencies of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP), Inc. In order to fulfill these noble targets, the college has embarked on the idea of implementing a retention policy to ensure excellent students and competent graduates who are considered to be highly motivated, committed, skilled, research-oriented and globally competitive imbued with positive values. In this regard, this study was conceptualized to validate initially the College Retention Examination (CRE) particularly the subject areas on General Education and Professional Education using content and face validity, item analysis and reliability coefficient. The validation process was a big step to ensuring quality instruction and applying a thorough assessment of learning. The validated CRE would pave the way towards sustaining the standards set by the CHED, AACCUP and other quality assurance agencies in the country as well as international organizations

Family, individual, community and school profile analysis of learners at risk of dropping out in Cebu

Dropping out, an essential indicator to the schools’ performance, is a serious educational problem all over the world. Thus, an investigation on the possible contribution of Family, Individual, Community and School (FICS) related factors to a Learner at Risk of Dropping out (LARDO) was done to aid identification and immediate remediation of Junior High School Learners in a Division in Cebu, Philippines for the School Year 2016-2017. Logistic regression analysis was performed to create a model to predict the probability of being a learner at risk. It showed increase of prediction power from 50% to 88% as the independent variables were entered. The following variables were found significant:  (a) gender; (b) deceased father; (c) cyber situation; (d) broken family; (e) inferiority complex; (f) child labor; and (g) lack of community support. Disturbing gender equity issues were evident in the results with increased likelihood for male students of being a LARDO. An intervention plan was crafted to assist schools in the implementation of the Drop Out Reduction Program (DORP). Salient features of the intervention program included the establishment of official forms for tracking LARDOs, a LARDO tendency worksheet based on the model and the establishment of policies that will strengthen LARDO early warning systems. Level of identification was also found to be at minimal in some schools which indicated difficulty of identification needing pertinent training in the intervention program. The results have important implications in the multi-dimensional nature of the dropout problem. The scope of its complexity extends beyond the established school systems. Hence, a multi-dimensional approach should be adapted

A modified paperfuge technique in evaluating anemia in phenylhydydrazine-induced ICR

Anemia is a common observation in several diseases in humans and animals. This condition is evaluated through the blood using parameters, including the packed cell volume (PCV).  However, quick diagnosis might take longer, especially in resource limited areas, as blood samples still need to be processed in the laboratory. In this experimental study, a modified paperfuge technique was evaluated to assess anemia in an animal model. A total of 16 ICR mice were used. After animal acclimatization for ten days, persistent anemia (hemolytic) was induced in nine mice by administering phenylhydrazine every other day for three times. Only distilled water was used in the control mice. After seven days, blood was extracted from the mice. Complete blood count using a species specific hematology machine was performed. PCV was further evaluated using the centrifuge machine and the modified paperfuge technique. Results using the hematology machine showed that the phenylhydrazine-induced mice had lower red blood cell count (x̄= 4.26 x 10^6/µL, SD=0.93) and PCV (x̄=32.5, SD=7.5) than the red blood cell count (x̄=5.26 x 10^6/µL, SD=1.1) and PCV (x̄=36.5, SD=5.8) of the control mice. PCV readings from the three methods were strongly correlated with the RBC count. On the other hand, PCV readings from the paperfuge technique were also strongly and significantly correlated with the centrifuge (R=0.99, p=0.000) and hematology machine (R=0.89, p=0.000) results. Further analysis revealed that there was no significant difference observed between the PCV readings of the CBC machine, the centrifuge and the modified paperfuge (treatment group: p=0.39, control group: p=0.09). Results suggest that the modified paperfuge technique can be reliable in measuring PCV to evaluate anemia. Further studies are recommended to compare results in anemic animals and humans

Occupational ergonomics in the library workplace

Ergonomics is defined as the study of the interaction between people and machines and the factors that affect the interaction Occupational Safety and Health Administration. This study assessed the occupational ergonomics of the selected academic libraries in Cebu City, Philippines. As revealed, majority of the libraries understudy are  practically ergonomically design, however they had poor percentage of the following: not one of the librarians had document holder and wrist/palm rest, majority do not use armrest when performing computer task and almost all librarians did not have a stable feet rest on the floor. The top five (5) ergonomic symptoms felt by the respondents were pain in neck, headache, pain in wrist and numbness in the hands. There is no significant correlation between the librarians’ height and weight and their level of awareness of ergonomics on health status. There is no significant relationship between the librarians’ level of awareness of ergonomics on health status and ergonomics. Furthermore, level of awareness of ergonomics on health status is not a determinant factor on the librarians’ experience on ergonomic symptoms

Antibacterial activity of formulated Psidium guajava (guava) hand sanitizer gel on Staphylococcus aureus

The primary purpose of the study was to detect the bactericidal potential of a formulated guava hand sanitizer gel on Staphylococcus aureus.  The efficacy of this formulation was tested against a bacterial strain through the well-diffusion method. Inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus growth was compared across two independent variables: (a) the type of sanitizer (experimental guava hand sanitizer gel vs. three other commercial brands); and (b) the type of alcohol utilized (experimental guava hand sanitizer gel vs. isopropyl vs. ethyl alcohol). The dependent variable which is the reduction of S. aureus growth rate, was measured by the zone of inhibition in each of the bacterial strains. Experimental design was used to measure the bactericidal potential of guava hand sanitizer gel. Through a two-way ANOVA, no significant difference was found between groups of commercial hand sanitizers and the formulated guava hand sanitizer gel (Brand A with a zone of inhibition of of 9.7 mm, Brand B with 9.3 mm, Brand C with 9 mm, and the new formulation with a zone of inhibition of 9 mm). These findings reveal that the reference standard commercial product (Brand A) with a highest zone of inhibition manifests a similar antibacterial property with the formulated guava hand sanitizer gel as revealed by bacterial reduction rate. In conclusion, the formulated hand sanitizer possesses antibacterial potential to inhibit the multiplication of S. aureus. Further studies should be conducted on other therapeutic activity parameters and the elucidation of structure for the active constituent with potential as bactericidal

Factors that influence resorts’ development in the Municipality of Dauin, Philippines

It is essential to adapt and improve tourism supply in order to respond to new tourist demand dynamics. This study tries to find out the factors that influence resorts development in Municipality of Dauin, Negros Oriental using a descriptive survey. A researcher-made survey questionnaire was administered to twenty-two (22) registered resort operators, as recorded in the Municipal Treasurer’s Office. Specifically, the study aimed to identify the factors that influence resorts development in terms of recreational activities, resting and relaxation, personal values, social experiences, and enriching and learning experiences. Data were collected mainly from registered resort businesses, after which results were tabulated and analyzed.The findings show that resorts development has indeed made a significant impact on the tourism trade in the municipality. Recreational activities were the highest factor that contributed to the increased number of resorts in the area. This implies that tourists visit the resorts largely for recreation such as outdoor activities, sports, entertainment, fun, and doing something out of the ordinary

Leadership, management and conflict management styles among nurse middle managers

The study utilized a correlational, quantitative design where nurse managers and staff nurses were made to answer an adapted questionnaire. The study used complete enumeration with inclusion and exclusion criteria. The study was conducted in Talisay District Hospital to assess the styles on leadership, management and conflict management and their correlation. Findings revealed that the most common leadership style is democratic while for management style is the mixed or the transitional style and collaborating for conflict management style. Authoritative leaders utilized the mixed or transitional management style and the collaborating conflict managing style. Democratic leaders utilized the mixed or transitional management style and the collaborating conflict management style. Laissez-faire leaders utilized the mixed or transitional management style and the collaborating conflict management style. A pattern can be seen that, in all types of leadership, be it authoritative, democratic or laissez-faire, the mixed or transitional management style is common. Further, the most common conflict management utilized is the collaborating style. Thus, it can be inferred that different leaders utilize a mixed or transitional management style and that when they are in conflict, they manage them through the collaborative conflict management style. There was no noteworthy relationship between the styles on conflict management and leadership styles, amongst styles on conflict management and management and lastly, amongst styles on leadership and management

Managing cooling comfort at homes and offices

People today experience coolness through the use technology (air conditioners) that produces cooling comfort at homes, at offices and even in cars and buses. More importantly, a simple homeowner needs to select an air conditioner that matches the size of a room to install it in, in order to make full use of its capacity or choose to pay more without following the intention of learning the basics of care and maintenance of the unit. The study is then conducted to assess setting up the cooling capacity needed for a particular room size, where to place the unit and what must be done in order to maintain the unit in good operating condition. The study gathers such idea from the office personnel, homeowners (includes lodgers, bed spacers, and transients) taken purposively at random (non-probability sampling procedure using quota). Customarily, people experiencing cooling comfort has the inner motive to work productively and efficiently. The study finds that for most homeowners learned the cooling capacity of a space through a friend and placing it on window line upper part is the common sight for most window type package air conditioners with at most five (5) occupants. The office personnel, on the other hand, stated that the units were provided by the owner of the building when moving in seeing it mounted on floors, walls or ceiling. The prevailing conditions on people’s awareness on the practices are limited to what was usually heard from the store attendant upon buying the air conditioners. Information contained on the sheet provided upon receipt of the unit were left unscanned and unattended to. These practices form the basis for recommendations leading to the attainment of experiencing cooling comfort at lower cost