Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Perception of high school students regarding unwanted pregnancy

This study utilized a descriptive type of research. Respondents were four hundred high school students form first year to fourth year with one hundred students per year level that were currently enrolled in Dasmarinas National High School Year 2012-2013. Stratified random sampling was used as sampling method. The research tool used was a self-made questionnaire and data was analysed using frequency, percentage distribution, mean, t-test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Majority of the respondents from Dasmarinas National High School were ages 13 to 14, female, have monthly family income of Php10,000 and below, with parents who are married and Catholic. The respondents have a high level of perception regarding unwanted pregnancy. The respondents have the same perception regarding unwanted pregnancy when grouped according to age, religion, and parents\u27 civil status regarding unwanted pregnancy. However, the respondents have different perception regarding unwanted pregnancy when grouped according to gender, monthly family income and year level