scholarly journals Interactive Mobile Phone HIV Adherence Support for Men who Have Sex with Men in the Philippines: Intervention Development and Pilot Testing in the Philippines Connect for Life Study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cara O'Connor ◽  
Katerina Leyritana ◽  
Aoife M Doyle ◽  
James J Lewis ◽  
Randeep Gill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Art Adherence ◽  
Pilot Phase ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Adherence Support ◽  
Sex With Men

BACKGROUND The Philippines HIV epidemic is one of the fastest growing globally, and infections among men who have sex with men (MSM) are rising at an alarming rate. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends use of mobile phone health technologies (mHealth) to engage patients in care and ensure high levels of adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Existing mHealth interventions can be adapted and tailored to the context and population served. OBJECTIVE To create a locally tailored intervention using a mobile phone platform to support treatment adherence for HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the Philippines. METHODS A mixed-methods approach guided by the Behavior Change Wheel (BCW) framework was used to adapt an existing mHealth adherence support platform for the local setting and target population. Literature review, retrospective clinical record review, and focus group discussions with patients were conducted to understand the drivers of ART adherence and tailor the intervention accordingly. The resulting intervention was pilot tested for eight weeks, followed by focus group discussions with patients who received the intervention to assess the acceptability of the design. RESULTS Key issues contributing to nonadherence included side effects, lack of behavioral skills for pill taking, social support, metal health, and substance use. Patients identified mHealth as an acceptable mode of intervention delivery, and wanted the mHealth services to be highly personalizable. The study team, clinicians, and software developers integrated these findings into the intervention, which included a menu of services: pill reminders, health tips, adherence feedback, appointment reminders, and symptom reporting. During the pilot phase, technical issues in the interactive voice response system (IVRS) were identified and addressed. Patients who participated in the pilot phase expressed a preference for short message service (SMS) over IVRS. Patients responded positively to the appointment reminders and health tips, while patient feedback on daily/weekly pill reminders and adherence feedback was mixed. CONCLUSIONS The mobile phone-based SMS and IVRS intervention was acceptable to MSM in Manila, Philippines, and qualitative analysis suggested the intervention helped promote ART adherence and appointment attendance.

Understanding Factors Related to Prolonged Trial of Detained Defendants in the Philippines

2017 ◽  
Vol 62 (8) ◽  
pp. 2461-2487 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raymund E. Narag
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Cultural Dynamics ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Western Literature ◽  
Loosely Coupled ◽  
Official Data

Utilizing a combination of jail official data and qualitative data gathered through Focus Group Discussions and interviews with inmates, court actors, and jail officers, this article investigates the factors related to prolonged trial of detained defendants in the Philippines. Sensitizing concepts derived from Western literature are utilized to understand individual, court, and jail-level variations to prolonged detention. Results from official jail data show the magnitude and extent of the problem. The narrative data suggests the salience of organizational and cultural dynamics that lead to the delay of cases for detained defendants. Specifically, courts that are loosely coupled and subscribe to workgroup culture that condones leniency are more likely to be delayed. Implications to theory and policy are discussed.

scholarly journals A Crowdsourced Physician Finder Prototype Platform for Men Who Have Sex with Men in China: Qualitative Study of Acceptability and Feasibility

10.2196/13027 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. e13027 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Wu ◽  
Wenting Huang ◽  
Peipei Zhao ◽  
Chunyan Li ◽  
Bolin Cao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Southern China ◽  
University Education ◽  
Bisexual Men ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Sex With Men

Background Men who have sex with men (MSM), including both gay and bisexual men, have a high prevalence of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in China. However, healthcare seeking behaviors and engagement in clinical services among MSM are often suboptimal. Global evidence shows that embedding online HIV or sexual health services into gay social networking applications holds promise for facilitating higher rates of healthcare utilization among MSM. We developed a prototype of a gay-friendly health services platform, designed for integration within a popular gay social networking app (Blued) in China. Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the acceptability of the platform and ask for user feedback through focus group interviews with young MSM in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, cities in Southern China. Methods The prototype was developed through an open, national crowdsourcing contest. Open crowdsourcing contests solicit community input on a topic in order to identify potential improvements and implement creative solutions. The prototype included a local, gay-friendly, STI physician finder tool and online psychological consulting services. Semistructured focus group discussions were conducted with MSM to ask for their feedback on the platform, and a short survey was administered following discussions. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data in NVivo, and we developed a codebook based on the first interview. Double coding was conducted, and discrepancies were discussed with a third individual until consensus was reached. We then carried out descriptive analysis of the survey data. Results A total of 34 participants attended four focus group discussions. The mean age was 27.3 years old (SD 4.6). A total of 32 (94%) participants obtained at least university education, and 29 (85%) men had seen a doctor at least once before. Our survey results showed that 24 (71%) participants had interest in using the online health services platform and 25 (74%) thought that the system was easy to use. Qualitative data also revealed that there was a high demand for gay-friendly healthcare services which could help with care seeking. Men felt that the platform could bridge gaps in the existing HIV or STI service delivery system, specifically by identifying local gay-friendly physicians and counselors, providing access to online physician consultation and psychological counseling services, creating space for peer support, and distributing pre-exposure prophylaxis and sexual health education. Conclusions Crowdsourcing can help develop a community-centered online platform linking MSM to local gay-friendly HIV or STI services. Further research on developing social media–based platforms for MSM and evaluating the effectiveness of such platforms may be useful for improving sexual health outcomes.

scholarly journals A Crowdsourced Physician Finder Prototype Platform for Men Who Have Sex with Men in China: Qualitative Study of Acceptability and Feasibility (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Wu ◽  
Wenting Huang ◽  
Peipei Zhao ◽  
Chunyan Li ◽  
Bolin Cao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Southern China ◽  
University Education ◽  
Bisexual Men ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Sex With Men

BACKGROUND Men who have sex with men (MSM), including both gay and bisexual men, have a high prevalence of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in China. However, healthcare seeking behaviors and engagement in clinical services among MSM are often suboptimal. Global evidence shows that embedding online HIV or sexual health services into gay social networking applications holds promise for facilitating higher rates of healthcare utilization among MSM. We developed a prototype of a gay-friendly health services platform, designed for integration within a popular gay social networking app (Blued) in China. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the acceptability of the platform and ask for user feedback through focus group interviews with young MSM in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, cities in Southern China. METHODS The prototype was developed through an open, national crowdsourcing contest. Open crowdsourcing contests solicit community input on a topic in order to identify potential improvements and implement creative solutions. The prototype included a local, gay-friendly, STI physician finder tool and online psychological consulting services. Semistructured focus group discussions were conducted with MSM to ask for their feedback on the platform, and a short survey was administered following discussions. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data in NVivo, and we developed a codebook based on the first interview. Double coding was conducted, and discrepancies were discussed with a third individual until consensus was reached. We then carried out descriptive analysis of the survey data. RESULTS A total of 34 participants attended four focus group discussions. The mean age was 27.3 years old (SD 4.6). A total of 32 (94%) participants obtained at least university education, and 29 (85%) men had seen a doctor at least once before. Our survey results showed that 24 (71%) participants had interest in using the online health services platform and 25 (74%) thought that the system was easy to use. Qualitative data also revealed that there was a high demand for gay-friendly healthcare services which could help with care seeking. Men felt that the platform could bridge gaps in the existing HIV or STI service delivery system, specifically by identifying local gay-friendly physicians and counselors, providing access to online physician consultation and psychological counseling services, creating space for peer support, and distributing pre-exposure prophylaxis and sexual health education. CONCLUSIONS Crowdsourcing can help develop a community-centered online platform linking MSM to local gay-friendly HIV or STI services. Further research on developing social media–based platforms for MSM and evaluating the effectiveness of such platforms may be useful for improving sexual health outcomes.

scholarly journals Activity Preferences of Generation Z Students for Tertiary Physical Education: Implications for Curriculum Enhancement

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 92
Author(s):  
Ruben Jr Lagunero Tagare ◽  
Geraldine Delos Cientos Villaluz
Keyword(s):  
Physical Education ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Generation Z ◽  
Extensive Field ◽  
Phenomenological Research Design ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Observation Results

<p>This research aimed to look into Generation Z Students' preferred activities to enhance the curriculum content of Tertiary Physical Education in one of the leading Universities in the Philippines using the phenomenological research design due to the fact that a great number of students in Physical Education have dropped out. A total of 110 research participants were involved in focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, and extensive field observation.  Results from focus group discussions, interviews, and extensive observations resulted to five concerns: less lectures, practical activities needed, minimal competition programs, and group activities. Findings from this study served as basis for a contextualized Physical Education program for Generation Z students in Southern Philippines.</p>

scholarly journals Testing and Assessment of Mozzify, the first integrated mhealth app for dengue fever in the Philippines (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Von Ralph Dane Marquez Herbuela ◽  
Tomonori Karita ◽  
Thaddeus Carvajal ◽  
Howell Ho ◽  
John Lorena ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Dengue Fever ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Security And Privacy ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Early Detection Of Disease ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
School Based

BACKGROUND The Philippines recently declared a national dengue fever (DF) epidemic. Yet, to our knowledge, Philippines relies its DF surveillance system on passive surveillance method (notifications from barangay/village health centers, municipal or city health offices, hospitals and clinics), and there is no available integrated mhealth app for dengue fever that includes all the appropriate surveillance methods in early detection of disease outbreaks in the country. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to test and assess the Mozzify app in terms of the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) subscales: objective quality (engagement, functionality, aesthetics, information), app-subjective and app-specific qualities and compare the total app mean score ratings by socio-demographic profile and self and family DF history to see what factors are associated with high app mean score rating. We also conducted individual interviews and focus group discussions among the participants, and analyze their comments and suggestions to help structure further improvement and future development of the app. METHODS We have tested and assessed Mozzify, among healthcare professionals and members of the school-based samples using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS) professional and user versions (uMARS). We compared the total app mean score ratings by socio-demographic and DF history using mean difference analyses. Content analysis was used to analyse the topics raised in individual interviews and focus group discussions. RESULTS Mozzify obtained an over-all >4 (out of 5) mean score ratings in the MARS’ and uMARS’ app objective quality (4.45), subjective (4.17) and specific (4.55) scales among 979 participants (healthcare professionals n = 94; school-based samples n = 885). Mean difference analyses revealed that total app mean score ratings were not significantly different across ages and gender among healthcare professionals and school-based samples. Similar results were found across income categories, and self and family DF history but not gender (P <0.001), among the school-based samples. Content analyses of the topics discussed in the individual interviews and focus group discussions revealed eight major themes: suggestions on multi-language options and including other diseases; Android version availability; improvements on the app’s content, design and engagement; inclusion of users from low-income and rural areas; Wi-Fi connection and app size concerns; data credibility, and user security and privacy issues. CONCLUSIONS This study confirms that Mozzify can be a promising integrated strategic health intervention and surveillance system for reporting and mapping DF cases, increasing awareness, improving knowledge, and facilitating behavior change (practicing preventive measures against DF). It can be used by healthcare professionals and school-based samples of any age (>18 years), socioeconomic status and DF history. However, in spite of its many strengths and unique features, improvements that are tailored to the needs of the intended users should still be done without compromising their security and privacy. Based from the findings, once we have completed further improvements, a longitudinal trial of Mozzify should be done among community-based participants to finally conclude if this can be an appropriate surveillance method in early detection of disease outbreaks in the Philippines and other countries where DF is endemic. CLINICALTRIAL

The Living Conditions of College Students in Boarding Houses in Davao City

10.17158/198 ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma V. Sagarino ◽  
Ruel A. Brilliantes ◽  
Mercelee P. Perez ◽  
Nelia B. Aga ◽  
Fe C. Tipace ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Living Conditions ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Environmental Attributes ◽  
Boarding House ◽  
Significant Effort ◽  
Housing Facilities

This study surveys the existing features of the boarding houses and documents the corresponding lifestyles of the student renters in Davao City to describe their living conditions as college students. This assessment is a significant effort in order to promote policies and guidelines that will address the growing concerns of these clients living in boarding houses/dormitories. The physical and environmental attributes of these temporary shelters could influence the holistic well-beings of the students. Data elicited through survey involving 571 student boarders and focus group discussions (FGD) with 30 purposively selected student boarders reveal that the stay of a student in a boarding house/dormitory has significant contributions to his/her personal, social, academic and emotional growth, but has nothing to do with the development of his/her spirituality. Results demonstrate further, that they have recognized their boarding houses/dormitories possessing good features especially on basic housing facilities; however, they felt the lack of the provisions for safety and security facilities implying that most operators have violated some requirements stipulated in the building Code of the Philippines

scholarly journals Depression, Nutrition, and Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy in Men Who Have Sex With Men in Manila, Philippines

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hend Elsayed ◽  
Cara O'Connor ◽  
Katerina Leyritana ◽  
Edsel Salvana ◽  
Sharon E. Cox
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Family Support ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Art Adherence ◽  
Hiv Patients ◽  
Sex With Men

Introduction: Depression is the most frequently observed psychiatric disorder among HIV patients. The effect of depression on adherence among men who have sex with men (MSM) HIV patients has not been well studied in the Philippines. Depression is commonly undiagnosed and consequently untreated, which leads to a negative influence on antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence. Other risk factors such as HIV-related stigma, self-body image satisfaction, and nutritional status are recognized as potential barriers to access HIV prevention and treatment services issues and poor adherence.Methods: Hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) was used to screen depressive symptoms during scheduled clinic visits. ART adherence was self-reported using a visual analog scale questionnaire covering the last 30 days. Structured questionnaires were used for measuring risk factors and socio-demographic data. Anthropometry was conducted and body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis.Results: One-hundred and ninety-three participants were recruited from the SHIP clinic between 7th March and 30th September 2018, of whom, 42 (21.8%) screened positive for depression (HADS score ≥ 8) and 24 (12.4%) were non-adherent to ART (&lt;95% of medication taken as prescribed). The most common reported reason for non-adherence was simply forgotten (18 out of 42, 42.9%). Increasing depressive symptoms were associated with non-adherence [crude odds ratio (OR) = 1.13; 95% CI: 1.02–1.26]. Social family support (SFS) and body image (BI) scores were also associated with non-adherence, but were not statistically significant in multivariable models. Factors significantly associated with depressive symptoms (but not non-adherence) included the following: using intravenous drugs, being in a relationship, anxiety, self-esteem, and stigma scores.Conclusions: Increased depression symptoms, low social family support, and body image dissatisfaction may be interconnected risk factors for ART non-adherence among Filipino MSM HIV patients. Comprehensive mental health services beyond regular post-HIV testing counseling may increase adherence to ART and improve HIV treatment outcomes. Further prospective studies are needed to address the causal/reverse causal pathway between depression and non-adherence.

Dari Idealisme ke Pragmatisme: Pergeseran Paradigma dalam Pengembangan Hukum Ekonomi Syariah di Indonesia

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-210
Author(s):  
Addiarrahman Addiarrahman ◽  
Illy Yanti
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Business World ◽  
Key Informants ◽  
The Public ◽  
Financial Products ◽  
Legal Consideration ◽  
Economic Law ◽  
Islamic Economic

This study seeks to understand the pragmatism of the development of sharia economic law, and its implications for Islamic financial products in Indonesia. The data comes from the results of interviews and focus group discussions with key informants from academics, practitioners, authorities, and the public. This research finds that pragmatism in the development of Islamic economic law is an approach that still dominates the DSN-MUI fatwas. The pragmatism style used is complex-eclectic pragmatism which is represented through makhārij al-fiqhiyyah, which is to choose a mild opinion by sticking to the strongest method or also called "taysīr al-manhajī". The use of this method is intended to ensure that the fatwa is truly able to answer the needs of the business world, as well as being in line with sharia principles. DSN-MUI also does not use maslahah as a legal consideration in a free or liberal way. Rather, it returns maslahah in consideration of the method, so that it is permissible to use the bay’ al-'inān contract only in a forced state (ḍarurah).

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