The Relationships Between Universal Health Coverage, Subjective Wellbeing, Inequality, and Fertility Patterns

Universal health coverage (UHC) has gained prominence as a vital means of ensuring health and wellbeing for all, aiming to provide quality healthcare services whilst mitigating financial burdens of catastrophic healthcare expenditures. This study explores the multifaceted impacts of UHC, with a particular focus on its influence on people\u27s subjective wellbeing, social inequality, and fertility patterns across a variety of countries over time. Using a cross-country analysis, I employ a multidimensional measure of health known as the Wellbeing Adjusted Life Years (WALYs), incorporating life satisfaction data from the integrated European Values Study and World Values Survey (1990–2014). The findings reveal that, whilst UHC programs have a positive impact on health and wellbeing, their overall impact on WALYs is relatively modest, accounting only 20 percent. Therefore, the results suggest a balanced approach to fully realise the full benefits of these programs. This approach includes emphasising mental and social wellbeing (non-objective measure of health) alongside physical health, aligning with the broader goals of healthcare programs and the evaluation tools used to assess their performance. Developing a comprehensive framework for evaluating the effectiveness of public health programs is essential for advancing the development of robust UHC programs. Moreover, this study examines into the relationship between UHC and subjective wellbeing inequality, using a measure that extends beyond the conventional income-centric approach. The results demonstrate a negative association between UHC programs and subjective wellbeing inequality. UHC programs exhibit an inequality-reduction property, particularly in countries with low levels of inequality, but their effectiveness diminishes in the presence of extreme inequality. In addition, they do not contribute to the existing subjective wellbeing inequality gap between developed and developing countries. To improve health and wellbeing for all and promote a more inclusive society, strengthening both service coverage and financial protection aspects of UHC program is recommended. Finally, this study unpacks the complex roles UHC plays in fertility decisions and patterns. I find that UHC has a twofold impact, encouraging fertility and delaying it through the contraceptive effect. By analysing data from the European Values Study (EVS), the World Values Survey (WVS), and the United Nations, I observe a negative correlation between UHC and total fertility rate (TFR), indicating that contraceptive effect dominates over pro-fertility effect. Furthermore, employing a heteroscedasticity-based identification strategy to establish the impact of UHC on fertility outcomes, I find that an improvement in UHC performance can reduce TFR by approximately 0.5, which aligns with the observed global fertility decline. Notably, the decomposition analysis highlights the significance of UHC programs in closing the fertility gap between developed and developing countries, indicating a convergence phenomenon. These results emphasise the potential of public health programs to address health and other social issues. They offer valuable insights into the complex relationship between UHC, subjective wellbeing, inequality, and fertility choices or outcomes. These findings highlight the necessity of developing robust and comprehensive healthcare programs or policies that can effectively meet the evolving needs of societies. Furthermore, it is crucial to proactively address the challenges associated with ensuring the longevity of these intergenerational welfare programs

The physical therapy profile questionnaire (PTPQ): development, validation and pilot testing

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Country by country similarities and differences in physical therapy practice exists. Therefore, before updates in practice can be provided, such as trainings in evidence-based practice, it is necessary to identify the profile and nature of practice in a given country or setting. Following a search of the international literature, no appropriate tool was identified to collect and establish data to create the profile of physical therapy practice in the Philippines. We therefore developed, validated and pilot tested a survey instrument which would comprehensively describe the practice of physical therapy in the Philippines</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>We used a mixed methods design to answer our study aims. A focus group interview was conducted among a group of physical therapists to establish the content and contexts of items to be included in the survey instrument. Findings were amalgamated with the information from the literature on developing survey instruments/questionnaires. A survey instrument was drafted and named as the Physical Therapy Profile Questionnaire (PTPQ). The PTPQ was then validated and pilot tested to a different group of physical therapists.</p> <p>The final version consisted of five separate parts namely (A) <it>General information and demographics, (B) Practice Profile, (C) Treatment Preferences, (D) Bases for clinical work and (E) Bases for educational/research work</it>. At present the PTPQ is relevant to the Philippines and could be used by any country which has a similar nature of practice with the Philippines.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The <it>Physical Therapy Practice Questionnaire (PTPQ) </it>was shown to have good face and content validity among the Filipino physical therapists and their context of practice. It has also been found to be useful, easy to administer tool and in a format appealing to respondents. The PTPQ is expected to assist comprehensive data collection to create a profile of physical therapy practice in the Philippines.</p

Teachers’ Flexibility and ICT-Adeptness in the Now Normal in Education

Study objectives aimed to find out how 311, mostly female and single basic education teachers, within the age group 21-30, coming from big urban public schools, assessed their own flexibility and ICT adeptness in implementing blended and flexible teaching and learning in the now normal landscape of education, almost two years since local public and private schools, colleges and universities went on lockdown in 2020. There is a continuing need to ascertain teachers’ level of flexibility and ICT adeptness for blended and flexible learning with most learners continuing to be online. Findings conclude that “Teachers are Very Flexible” in implementing the 5 components of Flexibility: Time, Content, Entry Requirements, Instructional Approach and Resources, and Delivery and Logistics.  Likewise, “Teachers are Always ICT Adept” in the 4 components of ICT-Adeptness:  Teaching Content, Teacher-Student Interaction, Teaching Form and Teaching Environment.  Profile-wise, male teachers are more flexible and ICT aware, and single teachers spend longer and earlier times in school. Significant differences are seen in teachers’ flexibility based on school location and school type, but not based on school size. It is also concluded that teachers coming from big, urban, public schools are “Always ICT Adept,” though significant differences are seen based on their sex and age, but not civil status. It is recommended that DepEd maximize on these profile variables in the recruitment and placement of teachers; that the basic education curriculum be reviewed further to continually enable blended and flexible learning; and continue implementation of Minimum Education Learning Competencies

REAL-TIME WATER LEVEL MONITORING USING LOW-COST GNSS RECEIVER

Developing an accurate water level monitoring system is one of the measures to mitigate the effects of water-related hazards such as river flooding. While current monitoring systems in the country are efficient in terms of accurate and immediate data delivery, these systems can be costly. This study assesses the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) performance of low-cost receiver systems for water level monitoring using real-time kinematic (RTK) solution. A total of 10 days&rsquo; valid observation were analyzed to compare the two base-rover receiver setups: 1) low-cost base to low-cost rover (LC-LC) and 2) survey-grade base to low-cost rover (SG-LC) grounded on accuracy, integrity, continuity, availability, and cost. Accuracy results show LC-LC=5.81 cm and SG-LC=5.37 cm mean difference of RTK from in-situ readings. In terms of RTK and post-processing kinematic (PPK) difference for integrity criterion, the RTK SG-LC setup has a lower range of RMS of 0.86 to 1.94 cm versus LC-LC setup of 1.19 to 2.28 cm. For the continuity criterion, the average fixed solutions percentage for the LC-LC setup: RTK=91.43%, PPK=92.92%, whereas for the SG-LC: RTK=95.51%, PPK=98.39%. On availability, the number of valid satellites (NSat) and position dilution of precision (PDOP) of RTK and PPK solutions for each setup are LC-LC: RTK=11, PPK=23, PDOP=1.0 and SG-LC: RTK=11, PPK=24, PDOP=1.9. Lastly, in terms of costing, LC-LC costs Php 58,340 while SG-LC costs Php 1,279,645. Overall, the parity of LC-LC with SG-LC in terms of the five criteria suggests viability of using LC-LC for accurate real-time water level monitoring

IDENTIFYING ILLUMINATION COVERAGE IN UP DILIMAN CAMPUS USING GIS

The University of the Philippines Diliman faces challenges for pedestrians, particularly at night. Hence, this study proposed the creation of a detailed map using QGIS to showcase the illumination coverage of street lights around the UP Academic Oval. The project aims to establish a safer and more secure environment within the university community, ensuring optimal visibility and reducing the risk of accidents through a map that provides crucial insights into the spatial distribution of street lights, highlighting areas with sufficient lighting and areas in need of improvement. It considered significant factors that affect illumination quality across the campus such as terrain, lamp height, and bulb specifications. Based on the gathered data, increasing the lamp post height by a meter expands the illumination coverage around Roces Street and along paths towards University Avenue, but decreases light intensity. Changing the beam angles of the lamp posts from 112 to 140 degrees causes clustering of illumination areas along the left side of the Academic Oval, enhances those along Beta Way, and weakens light intensity of the lamp posts though not as much as in the first case. Lastly, increasing both the height of the lamp posts and their beam angles by a meter and at 140 degrees results in the significant increase of illumination coverage along the Academic Oval. However, increasing the heights of the posts may be costly. Therefore, to economically provide better coverage and maintain safety around the area, beam angles of the lamp posts should be increased to 140 degrees

Graduates’ Assessment on the Services Provided by Polytechnic University of the Philippines-Open University System

This study was made to determine the satisfaction of graduates of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines-Open University System to its services for academic year 2016-2017. Descriptive method was used in the study. The study found out that the PUP Open University graduates A.Y. 2016-2017 are very satisfied on the services offered and provided by PUP Open University System

Quo Vadis? LIS Postgraduate Education in the Philippines / Fernan R. Dizon, Karryl Kim Sagun and Ana Grace P. Alfiler

The paper intends to shed light on the predicament faced by many Filipino librarians: the lack of local institutions offering Library and Information Science (LIS) post graduate degrees. The study also aims to look at Filipino librarians who have either completed and are currently pursuing LIS and non-LIS postgraduate education, either locally or abroad. The paper aims to illustrate the state of Philippine LIS postgraduate education by considering the number of librarians who pursued and are still pursuing postgraduate degrees, and identifying the universities they selected, locally and overseas. The data was gathered from responses to an online questionnaire posted on websites of local libraries as well as professional networks, and supported by phone interviews. Responses were further validated through electronic correspondences. The study yielded constructive information on the state of Library and Information Science postgraduate education. Most respondents pursued or are pursuing Education related postgraduate degrees within the country. Of the number of respondents, only a few pursued or are pursuing postgraduate education in Library and information Science in other countries like the United States of America, Canada, Japan and United Kingdom

Graduates’ Assessment on the Services Provided by Polytechnic University of the Philippines-Open University System

This study was made to determine the satisfaction of graduates of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines-Open University System to its services for academic year 2016-2017. Descriptive method was used in the study. The study found out that the PUP Open University graduates A.Y. 2016-2017 are very satisfied on the services offered and provided by PUP Open University System

Development of an Ergonomically – Designed Violin Chinrest Using Additive Manufacturing

A violin chinrest is used to ease the pain and prevent injuries of violinists. However, some of them experienced discomfort using normal chinrest. It causes injuries, irritations, and pains that affect the performance of violinists. In that problem, the researcher works toward a goal of not curing the problem but instead avoiding pain, injuries, and discomfort when playing it. A convenience sampling method was used in gathering anthropometric data. The study is limited to the ergonomically designed chin rest itself, which will only be installed at the standard violin size with a length of 60 cm. The designed chinrest is fitted only for the violinists of Jose De Piro Kabataan Orkestra. Three ergonomically designed violin chinrests were produced, which are: side-mounted, semi-centered, and fully centered. The researchers used a paired-samples t-test to compare the means in the results of testing between the normal chinrest and the ergonomically designed chinrest using additive manufacturing. The study concludes that the ergonomically designed violin chinrests using additive manufacturing are light-weight, less expensive, more comfortable to use, and lessen the pain of the violinists based on the overall mean compared to the normal violin chinrest in terms of side-mounted, semi-centered, and centered chinrest