Banwa Publications (University of the Philippines Mindanao)
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Inclusive Policies for Women in the Agrifood System: A Guide for Local Policymakers in the Philippines
No full textInclusive Policies for Women in the Agrifood System: A Guide for Local Policymakers in the Philippines aims to provide local government units (LGUs) and stakeholders with a guide for designing inclusive policies that promote women’s empowerment, gender equality, and resilience in the agrifood system. The specific target audience of this guidebook is:
Local policymakers who are elected officials of the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) or Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) responsible for designing local ordinances and resolutions.Local planning and development coordinators (LPDC) involved in coordinating programs and activities for local development.Civil society members of the Local Development Council, Municipal or City Agriculture and Fisheries Council (MAFC or CAFC), and other councils engaged by the LGU in designing and implementing plans and programs. This also includes non-government organizations that advocate for the interests of women and workers in the agriculture sector.Researchers interested in the study of governance
Dilemma and Decision Space: The (Un)Collective Action of DOH-MMCHD and Malabon LGU in Health Promotion
No full textThe Universal Health Care Act emphasizes health promotion’s role in implementing devolved health programs and policy coordination across government instrumentalities. Post-COVID-19 pandemic, health promotion was in full swing in its institutionalization across all government levels. However, Institutional Collective Action (ICA) dilemmas hinder effective health promotion implementation. This qualitative cross-sectional study utilized health-related laws, policies, and semi-structured interviews with key technical and political actors. Data were triangulated and analyzed through open coding to identify patterns, guided by the ICA Framework, to assess Malabon LGU’s utilization of decision space in health promotion initiatives. ICA dilemmas between DOH-MMCHD and Malabon LGU in the implementation of health promotions were identified, such as opportunism hazards, action incoherence, defection and unfair division of duties, lack of contracts, non-execution of policies, hidden information on duties and responsibilities, and enforcement costs such as budgetary, political, and resource constraints, among others. The Institutional Collective Action Framework and Bossert’s Concept of Decision Space and Capacity were used to resolve ICA dilemmas by empowering DOH-MMCHD through the enforcement of accountability mechanisms and supervisory intervention and by maximizing decision space through procedural policy instruments such as the formation and proper execution of local health committees and local health boards, health promotion ordinances, creation of HEPO units, capacitating HEPOs and BHWs, institutional reformation of duties and responsibilities of HEPOs and BHWs, and optimization of LGU autonomy to advance health promotions
In-Vitro Study on GABA Transaminase Inhibiting Activity of Heartwood, Lemon Balm, Peppermint Leaves
No full textTreatments for epilepsy are still insufficient and limited. Drug therapies show serious adverse effects that may harm patients. Herbal traditional approaches have been advancing for neurological diseases due to their effects and tolerability. The research design is experimental. The variables were subjected to an ELISA; three treatments were in three replicates with Valproic acid as the positive control. ANOVA was used to compare the differences in anticonvulsant effects, and regression analysis was used to show the causal effect of the concentration. The ethanol extracts of C Caesalpinia sappan (sibukaw) heartwood, Melissa officinalis (lemon balm), and Mentha piperita L. (peppermint) leaves exhibited inhibition on GABA-T at 117.30, 153.70, and 105.00 μg/mL, respectively. The ethyl acetate concentration extracts of heartwood, lemon balm, and peppermint leaves showed inhibition on GABA-T at 175.20, 171.40, and 122.40 μg/mL, respectively. There is a significant difference between the EtOH and EtAc extracts of the plant samples and Valproic acid, with Valproic acid exhibiting an IC50 of 1.62 μg/mL, showing the highest inhibitory activity on GABA transaminase. The researchers recommend isolating the specific bioactive compounds identified to optimize the GABA-T inhibitory effect to fully assess its mechanism as an anti-epileptic agent. After isolating the specific bioactive compounds, it is best to identify their specific Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) model and perform a comparative analysis of their inhibitory activity on GABA-T against the positive control, Valproic acid. Furthermore, establish the safety levels of the bioactive compounds by conducting an in vivo investigation on the inhibitory activity of the isolated bioactive compounds of the sibukaw, lemon balm, and peppermint
A Retrospective Review on HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis in Davao City
No full textEvaluating the adherence to HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is essential for increasing its utilization and decreasing the risk of HIV transmission among Davao City\u27s vulnerable groups. The research design that was employed was a quantitative, retrospective design to review the de-identified data, which involved the fill and refill dates of PrEP and tablets supplied, to calculate the Proportion of Days Covered (PDC) among individuals in Davao City from January 2021 to December 2023. From 178 data entries collected, the age group of 25 to 34 years old was found to have the highest HIV PrEP use (52.25%), followed by those between 18 to 24 (30.90%), 35 to 44 (13.48%), and 45 years old and older (3.37%). Out of 178, only 2 clients were female. Furthermore, 73.60% of the 178 entries in the pharmacy records were identified as taking PrEP daily. Descriptive statistics showed that the frequency of adherent clients across the years was 36.36%, 44.74%, and 38.46%, respectively. Furthermore, the average PDC through the years was found to be 70.13%, 80.48%, and 72.8%. Age did not significantly affect adherence to PrEP during the years investigated (p-values > 0.05). Adherence to PrEP improved consistently in 2022 but declined in 2023, showing erratic adherence rates. Furthermore, adherence to HIV PrEP in Davao City was found to be suboptimal, and while there are clients who are adherent, many are not. The results emphasize the need for targeted interventions and suggest that other socio-behavioral factors may play a role in this. To improve adherence and prevent HIV contractions, both short-term actions like public education campaigns about HIV PrEP and long-term plans like incorporating PrEP into community pharmacies can be contributive
Awareness, Attitude, and Willingness to Use HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis in Davao City
No full textTo improve upon the implementation and utilization of HIV PrEP programs, factors affecting HIV PrEP willingness must be investigated. This study aims to determine not only the willingness to use HIV PrEP but also to establish whether awareness and attitude affect this. This study used a cross-sectional survey research design to examine the awareness, attitude, and willingness to use HIV PrEP in Davao City. Participants were at least 18 years of age, currently living in Davao City, and permanent residents of the city. The survey was adapted from multiple studies and was determined to be valid and reliable. Statistical analysis included descriptive and inferential statistics, such as correlation, linear regression, and structural modeling. A total of 258 respondents were gathered in this study, of which 53.10% of all respondents were fully aware of HIV PrEP, while 27.13% were partially aware. The study found the mean attitude and willingness to be 4.21 ± 0.972 and 4.08 ± 0.685, respectively. There was a significant difference in awareness when grouped according to gender identity (X² = 24.428; p-value = .002) and highest education attained (X² = 15.919; p-value = .044). Being fully aware positively affected willingness to use HIV PrEP by indirectly contributing positively to attitude towards HIV PrEP (β = 0.263; p-value = .012). Generally, the results were found to be favorable. However, some respondents are hesitant to use HIV PrEP if it is not one hundred percent effective and are unable to adhere to it. The results imply a need for action programs involving various multidisciplinary stakeholders to ensure the community possesses full awareness, positive attitudes, and increased willingness to use HIV PrEP
Enterobiasis Prevalence, Behaviors, and Reported Symptoms among School-aged Children in Selected Barangays in the City of Koronadal, South Cotabato
No full textAbstractEnterobiasis, caused by Enterobius vermicularis, is a common parasitic infection affecting children worldwide. While it is prevalent, there is limited data on its incidence and risk factors in the City of Koronadal. The infection is often associated with poor hygiene and crowded living conditions, presenting a notable public health concern. This cross-sectional study established baseline data on enterobiasis in two barangays in the City of Koronadal. With parental consent, 304 children aged 6-9 years old were examined using the Perianal Cellulose Tape Swab, and a validated questionnaire was used to collect demographic profiles, risk behaviors, and reported symptoms. After data summary and analysis, the overall prevalence of enterobiasis in selected barangays of the City of Koronadal was 14.80% (45/304). The use of multivariate analysis revealed marginal associations between infection rates and variables such as age and household size (p-values = 0.053 and 0.054). Symptom analysis indicated that frequent anal itching (p-value = 0.000) and abdominal pain (p-value = 0.036) were strongly associated with the infection. In contrast, nail and finger-biting practices appeared as significant predictors, with both behaviors showing a strong correlation with infection risk (p-values = 0.024 and 0.036, respectively). At the same time, regular nail trimming was associated with a decreased risk of enterobiasis (p-value = 0.015). These findings underscore the critical role of personal hygiene in preventing enterobiasis and provide valuable insights for future research and public health interventions. Based on the study\u27s findings, several recommendations are made for future research. First, future researchers may consider a 6 consecutive-day collection method, which is the standard for collecting specimens for Enterobius vermicularis using the Perianal Cellulose Tape Swab to ensure accurate confirmation of negative results. Widening the scope of locale within the entire City of Koronadal is also suggested to establish the prevalence and reliability of the results
Synergistic and Antagonistic Effect of Avocado (Persea americana) Leaves, Pulp and Seed Extracts with Antibiotics against Bacteria
No full textAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an increasing worldwide health concern, jeopardizing treatment efficacy and resulting in significant mortality. With standard antibiotics like ciprofloxacin and vancomycin becoming less effective, this study investigates the possibility of avocado extracts, which include antibacterial components, as an alternative treatment for Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The study determined the optimal concentration of avocado seed, leaf, and pulp extract exhibiting the strongest antibacterial activity. Agar plates inoculated with Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were prepared. The identified avocado extract concentration was combined with dissolved antibiotics and placed in wells on the agar plates for diffusion. The study evaluated the interaction between avocado extracts and antibiotics against E. coli and S. aureus. Clindamycin and penicillin exhibited synergistic effects with avocado leaf and pulp against S. aureus but antagonistic effects against E. coli. Vancomycin and ciprofloxacin demonstrated antagonistic effects against E. coli but synergistic effects against S. aureus. Avocado seed extract showed varying effects, with synergistic activity against E. coli in combination with penicillin and antagonistic activity against S. aureus when combined with ciprofloxacin. Overall, the results suggest that avocado extracts can influence the efficacy of antibiotics, but the specific interactions vary depending on the antibiotic and bacterial species. Future research should consider exploring Gram-positive bacteria beyond Staphylococcus aureus, such as MRSA, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Clostridium difficile, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Moreover, studying Gram-negative bacteria other than E. coli, such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Haemophilus influenzae, Salmonella enterica, and Acinetobacter baumannii, is suggested. Future researchers could use different methods to study the synergistic effect of avocado extract and antibiotics, such as the checkboard technique or time-kill assays. They could also test specific phytochemicals and consider using the Factorial Inhibition Concentration Index (FICI)
Mirasol Worx: Exploring an Integrated Performance Art in Communicating Mental Health Messages through the Lens of Embodied Cognition
No full textWhat remains to be the gap in mental health awareness, prevention, and treatment in the Philippines is the humanistic reinforcement of health initiatives that mainstream lived experiences. This paper examines the communicative potential of integrated performance art in representing the schema of embodied knowledge on mental health conditions. Specifically, this practice-led research of the artist-mental health patient as the proponent aims to (a) ascertain the appropriate creative process in embedding mental health messages in an integrated live performance exhibition with audiovisual elements, (b) to determine the audience’s reception of representations of mental health struggles. With theoretical underpinnings from the Theory of Embodied Cognition, the integration of mental health messages from previously produced 60-seconder short films as the video art form complemented with a live kinesthetic and aural stimulation in a performance art space at La Herencia Davao in 2023. This two-run exhibition elicited narrative-based insights from live audiences consisting of psychologists, communication students, and practitioners in the field of visual and media arts. Anchoring on Stuart Hall and David Morley’s concepts of audience positioning and “interpretive communities”, the sentiment analysis yielded themes on how both the artist-patient and the audience can initiate discourses on the therapeutic value of artistic practice and expression, which can augment preexisting efforts that facilitate a culture-sensitive health promotion on mental illness and conditions. Moreover, the communicative and persuasive potential inherent in various audio-visual creative executions employed in this study provides a rich opportunity for synergy among scholars and experts in the field of public health and the humanities and creative arts with messages that resonate beyond the ideals of contemporary science communication
Where Are We in the Innovation Pathway Towards Agri 4.0?
No full textProf. Larry N. Digal, PhD, is a professor of agricultural and applied economics, School of Management, and the former chancellor of the University of the Philippines Mindanao. He finished his PhD and MS in Agricultural Economics at the University of Sydney in Australia and Purdue University in Lafayette, Indiana, USA, respectively. He finished his undergraduate degree in the same field at the University of the Philippines Los Baños cum laude and received the Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society of Agriculture Gold Medal Award for Academic Excellence and the Joan Gonzales Gold Medal also for Academic Excellence. He excelled in his area of specialization particularly in the “economics of sustainable agricultural value chains.” In this area, he developed, led many research projects and programs, developed research networks in UP Mindanao with links to international partners, mentored junior researchers, developed and led interdisciplinary research groups, led conferences and published extensively. His research interests also include industrial organization of agricultural markets, market power, and policy
A Web-based Rabies Data Analytics Dashboard: Forecasting the Trends of Dog and Human Rabies Cases with Vaccine Cost-Optimization
No full textThis study introduced a rabies data analytics dashboard module for the Davao City Veterinarian’s Office. The dashboard aims to enhance rabies management, leveraging predictive analysis and data visualization for canine and human rabies prevalence, vaccination requirements, and a translatable rabies control recommendation system for local government units. The development of the dashboard covers the software development life cycle, including the requirements and design phase, modules for forecasting rabies cases, and vaccination needs. The system utilizes Laravel, Python, and MySQL, with mathematical models including Long Short-Term Memory, a human rabies model, and goal programming, and underwent usability tests for its effectiveness. The rabies analytics dashboard incorporated key elements such as a landing page, user manual, forecasting table, recommendation tab, and rabies trends and forecasts. The dashboard was built using Laravel and Bootstrap for a user-friendly interface. Power BI generated visual reports for actual and forecasted rabies data. Models like LSTM for dog rabies predictions, a human rabies model for human rabies prediction, and a goal programming model for estimating vaccination needs were integrated using Python and SQL, enhancing automation and accurate trend analysis. User testing, involving members from both the Davao CVO and RabDash DC, produced a System Usability Scale (SUS) score of 77.92 out of 100, indicating a high level of usability and user satisfaction. The positive feedback underscores the dashboard’s effectiveness in managing rabies cases and informing vaccination efforts. It is recommended to make the prediction of dog and human rabies cases at the barangay level to help the Davao CVO make location-specific decisions in controlling rabies cases, or the researcher can also concentrate the predictions on the barangays with the greatest number of rabies cases historically