Factors Associated with Parental Self-medication of Antibiotics in Health Centers of Manila

The practice of self-medication is widespread around the world and misuse of medications may lead to serious adverse effects and drug interactions. The study aimed to identify factors associated with antimicrobial self-medication practices of mothers with children aged 18 years old and below. In conducting the research, crosssectional descriptive study and purposive sampling were followed. A total of 390 mothers were included in the study and data were collected using questionnaireguided interview. The results suggest that parental self-medication using antibiotics was prevalent (42.05%) and age of mothers was found associated with it (p< 0.029,OR = 1.02). Mothers were giving antibiotics to their children without prescription mainly for cough (33.54%). Amoxicillin (50.25%) was the preferred antibiotic, with 54.08% incorrect use. Other antibiotics abused were cephalexin (8.46%), co-amoxiclav (6.15%), erythromycin (4.87%), co-trimoxazole (4.10%), cloxacillin (3.59%), cefuroxime (1.79%) and penicillin (1.79%). Mothers declared that they get antimicrobial information from health centers and other sources (42.68%) followed by old prescriptions (28.66%) and relatives (23.17%). Community pharmacies (85.37%) were the main source of antibiotics followed by health centers (23.17%). Despite theunderstanding of the mothers regarding the use of antibiotics, it is notable that there is an increased misuse of antibiotics. This can be attributed to the limited understanding of viruses, for only 36.41% of respondents identified that antibiotics should not be used for viral infections. Therefore, the findings may help the government to implement strict implementation of the pharmacy regulations regarding the sale of antibiotics and educational interventions about rational use of antibiotics. Keywords: Antibiotics, Children, Manila, Mothers, Parental self-medicatio

Self-Assembly of Nanoparticles onto the Surfaces of Polystyrene Spheres with a Tunable Composition and Loading

Functional colloidal materials were prepared by design through the self-assembly of nanoparticles (NPs) on the surfaces of polystyrene (PS) spheres with control over NP surface coverage, NP-to-NP spacing, and NP composition. The ability to control and fine tune the coating was extended to the first demonstration of the co-assembly of NPs of dissimilar composition onto the same PS sphere, forming a multi-component coating. A broad range of NP decorated PS (PS@NPs) spheres were prepared with uniform coatings attributed to electrostatic and hydrogen bonding interactions between stabilizing groups on the NPs and the functionalized surfaces of the PS spheres. This versatile two-step method provides more fine control than methods previously demonstrated in the literature. These decorated PS spheres are of interest for a number of applications, such as catalytic reactions where the PS spheres provide a support for the dispersion, stabilization, and recovery of NP catalysts. The catalytic properties of these PS@NPs spheres were assessed by studying the catalytic degradation of azo dyes, an environmental contaminant detrimental to eye health. The PS@NPs spheres were used in multiple, sequential catalytic reactions while largely retaining the NP coating

Socioeconomic position, lifestyle habits and biomarkers of epigenetic aging: A multi-cohort analysis

Differences in health status by socioeconomic position (SEP) tend to be more evident at older ages, suggesting the involvement of a biological mechanism responsive to the accumulation of deleterious exposures across the lifespan. DNA methylation (DNAm) has been proposed as a biomarker of biological aging that conserves memory of endogenous and exogenous stress during life.We examined the association of education level, as an indicator of SEP, and lifestyle-related variables with four biomarkers of age-dependent DNAm dysregulation: the total number of stochastic epigenetic mutations (SEMs) and three epigenetic clocks (Horvath, Hannum and Levine), in 18 cohorts spanning 12 countries.The four biological aging biomarkers were associated with education and different sets of risk factors independently, and the magnitude of the effects differed depending on the biomarker and the predictor. On average, the effect of low education on epigenetic aging was comparable with those of other lifestyle-related risk factors (obesity, alcohol intake), with the exception of smoking, which had a significantly stronger effect.Our study shows that low education is an independent predictor of accelerated biological (epigenetic) aging and that epigenetic clocks appear to be good candidates for disentangling the biological pathways underlying social inequalities in healthy aging and longevity

Socioeconomic position, lifestyle habits and biomarkers of epigenetic aging: A multi-cohort analysis

Differences in health status by socioeconomic position (SEP) tend to be more evident at older ages, suggesting the involvement of a biological mechanism responsive to the accumulation of deleterious exposures across the lifespan. DNA methylation (DNAm) has been proposed as a biomarker of biological aging that conserves memory of endogenous and exogenous stress during life. We examined the association of education level, as an indicator of SEP, and lifestyle-related variables with four biomarkers of age-dependent DNAm dysregulation: the total number of stochastic epigenetic mutations (SEMs) and three epigenetic clocks (Horvath, Hannum and Levine), in 18 cohorts spanning 12 countries. The four biological aging biomarkers were associated with education and different sets of risk factors independently, and the magnitude of the effects differed depending on the biomarker and the predictor. On average, the effect of low education on epigenetic aging was comparable with those of other lifestyle-related risk factors (obesity, alcohol intake), with the exception of smoking, which had a significantly stronger effect. Our study shows that low education is an independent predictor of accelerated biological (epigenetic) aging and that epigenetic clocks appear to be good candidates for disentangling the biological pathways underlying social inequalities in healthy aging and longevity

Socioeconomic position, lifestyle habits and biomarkers of epigenetic aging: A multi-cohort analysis

Differences in health status by socioeconomic position (SEP) tend to be more evident at older ages, suggesting the involvement of a biological mechanism responsive to the accumulation of deleterious exposures across the lifespan. DNA methylation (DNAm) has been proposed as a biomarker of biological aging that conserves memory of endogenous and exogenous stress during life. We examined the association of education level, as an indicator of SEP, and lifestyle-related variables with four biomarkers of age-dependent DNAm dysregulation: the total number of stochastic epigenetic mutations (SEMs) and three epigenetic clocks (Horvath, Hannum and Levine), in 18 cohorts spanning 12 countries. The four biological aging biomarkers were associated with education and different sets of risk factors independently, and the magnitude of the effects differed depending on the biomarker and the predictor. On average, the effect of low education on epigenetic aging was comparable with those of other lifestyle-related risk factors (obesity, alcohol intake), with the exception of smoking, which had a significantly stronger effect. Our study shows that low education is an independent predictor of accelerated biological (epigenetic) aging and that epigenetic clocks appear to be good candidates for disentangling the biological pathways underlying social inequalities in healthy aging and longevity

Effectiveness of a spirituality enhancement program in improving employee satisfactoriness in a company within Metro Manila

This study aims to determine the effectiveness of a Spirituality Enhancement Program in improving employee satisfactoriness or job performance as observed and evaluated by peers in a company setting within Metro Manila. The treatment of the program is offered as another alternative for motivating employees in the workplace. Quasi-experimental-nonequivalent control group design was used for this study. The instruments used were Minnesota Satisfactoriness Scale, Religious Orientation Scale, and Religious Activity Checklist. Then, pretest, immediate and delayed posttest of these instruments were administered to five (5) respondents of the experimental group and six (6) respondents for the control group. The statistical tests for quantitative analysis were median scores, weighted mean scores, t-test for independent and dependent samples, Mann-Whitney-U, and Wilcoxon T. Then, for the qualitative analysis, frequency of responses were considered in the ROS, RAC, and program evaluations. The results showed that the Spirituality Enhancement Program was effective to bring about changes in the ratings of employee satisfactoriness. However, the improved spirituality of employees needs ongoing spiritual activities for it to grow. Therefore, the findings suggest that satisfactoriness and/or work with spirituality can work together given the duration of time to develop and adapt in the corporate setting in the Philippines

Philippine Tourism: Evolution towards Sustainability

Tourism industry in the Philippines has been identified as one of the powerful engines for a strong and sustained economic growth. To determine whether the Philippine tourism industry is moving towards sustainable development, this paper explores the evolution of the tourism industry in the Philippines by tracing its historical transformations and determining its typology. Four major periods has been recognized, namely: 1] pre-martial law era (years before 1972); 2] martial law era (1972-1986); 3] post-martial law era (1986-2000); and 4] 21st century era (2001-present). The eras are based on the country’s major political regimes. Corresponding events and numerous initiatives undertaken by the government agencies, non-government organizations and private sectors that significantly affect the tourism industry are described and analyzed. It is concluded that tourism is a well established industry in the Philippines that contributes to an inclusive economic growth of the country. The continued concerted efforts of all the stakeholders of the industry in the implementation of all these initiatives will surely lead to a sustainable Philippine tourism

Philippine Tourism: Evolution towards Sustainability

Tourism industry in the Philippines has been identified as one of the powerful engines for a strong and sustained economic growth. To determine whether the Philippine tourism industry is moving towards sustainable development, this paper explores the evolution of the tourism industry in the Philippines by tracing its historical transformations and determining its typology. Four major periods has been recognized, namely: 1] pre-martial law era (years before 1972); 2] martial law era (1972-1986); 3] post-martial law era (1986-2000); and 4] 21st century era (2001-present). The eras are based on the country’s major political regimes. Corresponding events and numerous initiatives undertaken by the government agencies, non-government organizations and private sectors that significantly affect the tourism industry are described and analyzed. It is concluded that tourism is a well established industry in the Philippines that contributes to an inclusive economic growth of the country. The continued concerted efforts of all the stakeholders of the industry in the implementation of all these initiatives will surely lead to a sustainable Philippine tourism