scholarly journals Occupational Health and Safety Hazards among Workers in Laboratory Animal Research Facilities in Singapore and Philippines

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 139-147
Author(s):  
JI Bibay ◽  
JD Agapito

Introduction: All workers, regardless of occupation are vulnerable to various hazards present at work. This study was carried out to determine the commonly encountered occupational hazard of laboratory animal workers in Singapore and the Philippines. Moreover, to determine the percentage of hazard exposure according to the workers’ personal profile, work profile, and frequency of exposure. Methods: All members of the Association for Laboratory Animal Science of Singapore (n=150) and the Philippines (n=130) were invited in an online survey administered anonymously via email. Only those respondents who fulfilled the inclusion criteria (i.e. 18 years old and above and working in direct contact to animals and its environment) were included in the analysis. Results: Laboratory animal workers experienced all hazards identified in the laboratory animal facilities. The three most common hazards encountered by workers based on the mean (M) and median (Mdn) number of exposures were animal-related injuries (M= 1.269, Mdn= 1), ergonomics (M= 1.067, Mdn= 0) and sharp-related injuries (M= 0.885, Mdn=1). There was no significant difference noted between these three hazards when compared to one another. These hazards were consistent regardless of age, gender, education, job, biosafety level of the facility, years of experience and type of animal exposures. Conclusion: Laboratory animal workers in Singapore and the Philippines are exposed to various hazards in the workplace. Younger workers, and workers with higher day-to-day exposure to laboratory animals, should be prioritized for information dissemination, training, and supervision.

2021 ◽  
Vol 58 (1&2) ◽  
pp. 185-213
Author(s):  
Aurora Hidalgo ◽  
Viory Yvonne Janeo ◽  
Winston Conrad Padojinog ◽  
Cid Terosa ◽  
Peter L. U ◽  
...  

The Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) commissioned the School of Economics of the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) to conduct a study aimed at understanding the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on various industry sectors and to draw possible policy measures for both government and private institutions to help the affected sectors deal with the pandemic’s negative effects and gradually return to stable business operations. An online survey of pre-selected thirty-three (33) representatives from key priority sectors which recorded sharp contractions in the first two quarters of 2020 and which had a share to GDP of above 1 percent was conducted. To validate the survey results, stakeholder interviews were also conducted with more than 10 firms via the zoom video conferencing platform. The survey results confirmed the negative impact of the pandemic at the firm-level (i.e., decrease in employee compensation, decline in headcount, loss of revenue and other liquidity crunches, prolonged collection periods, problems in logistics, delayed or cancelled projects and disrupted supply chains and access to labor; among others). Some have had to close branches or altogether cease operations. The sudden and likely permanent shift towards digitization of operations has disrupted operations and exerted pressure to digitally transform business operations in order to survive in the so-called “new normal.” Moreover, this requires investments in equipment and training. Additional costs and investments are also needed to meet health and safety standards and protocols. Thus, required assistance commonly cited by firms were loans, subsidies, and tax relief In the short term, the national government must restore consumer confidence and deploy its fiscal powers to stimulate aggregate demand. With assistance, business can invest in platforms and meeting health and safety protocols for workers and customers to return to work and patronize their business, whether on site or online. Resuscitating the economy is not solely the responsibility of government. It also requires solidarity and coordinated response from the private sector. Over the long term, both government and business must build more resilient organizations and strategies. This would include adopting digital transformation by both private and public sectors for a more nimble and agile economy. Business may also revisit the concept of “coopetition”. The interconnectedness of each industry calls for a more collaborative approach among businesses. When firms who have been negatively affected by the pandemic recover, this can also increase the rate at which the economy bounces back.


2020 ◽  
pp. 265-272
Author(s):  
Darwin I Carrido ◽  
Romeo-Luis F Ramirez

Background: The millennial generation already composes the majority of populations across different pharmacy schools in the Philippines. The need to explore millennial students’ learning styles and its governing factors thereby become more valuable in changing and innovating instructional approaches, designs, and strategies used in their learning environment. Aims: This study aimed to generally describe the learning styles of the millennial pharmacy students from a college institution in the Philippines using the Vermunt’s Inventory of Learning Styles (ILS). Specifically, it aimed to determine the appropriate approaches in response to the students’ learning styles, and the relationship between and among the variables of the study. Method: A quasi- experimental research design was employed in this study using online survey as the method of data collection. Descriptive statistical analysis was employed to analyse the data using Microsoft Office Excel 2013 and IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences Statistics. Pearson’s correlation coefficient investigated the relationship between and among the independent and dependent variables, while t-test and one-way ANOVA tested for significant difference among groups. Results: There were 124 out of 168 students who participated in the study making the overall response rate at ~74%. The most prevalent learning style among the millennial pharmacy students enrolled in De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute, College of Pharmacy is application- directed (3.85±0.46), followed by reproduction-directed (3.81±0.45), undirected (3.73±0.49) and lastly meaning-directed (3.52±0.54). The students’ perceived grades were significantly reflected by their learning styles. Conclusion: Results of this study may be used in increased capitalising and development of the learning style profile of millennial pharmacy students to application-directed approaches. Instructional approaches, designs and strategies must cater to how students learn effectively and strategically, and consider all possible governing factors that affect learning styles of students.


Author(s):  
Angelito Palma Bautista ◽  
Doris Gelvoligaya Bleza ◽  
Cielito Bernardino Buhain ◽  
Dianne Morta Balibrea

Distance learning has become the sole modality of the teaching and learning process in the Philippines due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Since face-to-face classes are still prohibited with no end in sight, it is important to assess the experience of teachers handling distance learning education in terms of the support they have received, and the challenges encountered. This study examines the support provided by the schools, the challenges encountered by the teachers, and the support they need to thrive in distance learning education. By applying a quantitative approach through an online survey, 151 teachers - including 108 women, 41 men, and 2 respondents who did not mention their gender - served as the respondents of this study. The study derived promising results in that the majority of the respondents received adequate support from their respective schools in terms of capacity building, technical and data privacy matters, systems of information dissemination, and online learning management. Financial and emotional support mechanisms are two areas for improvement. The common problems encountered include motivating the students, using ICT, managing the time allotted for online sessions, and evaluating the learners’ knowledge. The teachers were also looking for more free resources and tools, webinars to share ideas and challenges, and professional development. Overall, the respondents were confident handling remote classes during the pandemic. The Department of Education (DepEd) and the schools may devise targeted programs, training, and support mechanisms to ensure that no one in the education sector is left behind.


2021 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 5809-5819
Author(s):  
SALIMAR BENDANILLO TAHIL

The enforcement of the Senior High School (SHS) in the Philippines has caused fear among college programs of higher education institutions such as Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) that they might have a low turnout of enrollees. This research sought to identify factors impacting the college degree choice of Grade 12 STEM students of WMSU concerning the number of enrollees to its college degree programs. Results served as inputs on what measures can be taken by programs with a low number of enrollees. The study employed a descriptive-quantitative research design. Data were collected using a validated survey questionnaire on 160 students. The results revealed that interest factors were considered very influential among the five leading factors. Opportunity and personality factors have influenced students' college degree preference. In contrast, family factors somehow influenced them, while Peer factors have less influence on determining their college degree. The study further revealed that programs that integrate actual work experiences, have abundant career opportunities, and individual personality ideal to their chosen career significantly impacts students, thereby boosting their interest in pursuing that program. Students are also aware that family support is one crucial factor that affects their decision. However, no significant difference in the influence of  family, interest, opportunity, and peer factors among graduating SHS STEM students, except for personality factors. Thus, a comprehensive information dissemination campaign regarding the program – its value, influence, and even employability, must be done by the college units is recommended.


Author(s):  
Zepeng Gong ◽  
Zhiwei Tang ◽  
Jie Li

Abstract Background/Objective Vaccination is an efficient public health strategy for controlling infectious diseases like the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this study evaluates the effect of gain-framed, loss-framed, and altruism messages on willingness to get a COVID-19 vaccine and confirms the best strategy for promoting vaccination. Methods Herein, we designed an online survey experiment, including a control (exposure to non-framed information) and three experimental (exposure to gain-framed, loss-framed, or altruistic messages) groups, to assess the vaccination willingness. All participants (n = 1316) were randomly assigned into one of the four groups. Results The individuals exposed to gain-framed, loss-framed, or altruism messages exhibited a higher willingness to get a COVID-19 vaccine than those exposed to non-framed information. Moreover, the loss-framed information effect on vaccination willingness was more substantial than the other two messages. However, no significant difference was observed between the gain-framed and altruism messages. Conclusion This study suggests that a loss-framed information dissemination strategy could be preferable to motivate vaccination willingness against COVID-19.


2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 469-478
Author(s):  
Sarah Allen ◽  
Robert Mayo

Purpose School-aged children with hearing loss are best served by a multidisciplinary team of professionals. The purpose of this research was to assess school-based speech-language pathologists' (SLPs) perceptions of their access to, involvement of, and working relationships with educational audiologists in their current work setting. Method An online survey was developed and distributed to school-based SLPs in North Carolina. Results A significant difference in access to and involvement of educational audiologists across the state was found. Conclusions This research contributes to professional knowledge by providing information about current perceptions in the field about interprofessional practice in a school-based setting. Overall, SLPs reported positive feelings about their working relationship with educational audiologists and feel the workload is distributed fairly.


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