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Background The Dengvaxia® (dengue vaccine) controversy has been identified as one of the main reasons for the measles vaccine hesitancy in the Philippines. Our study aimed to identify various issues related to the Dengvaxia® controversy and to link these issues with the social perspective of measles vaccine refusal. Methods Semi-structured interviews and a focus group discussion using ethnography research were conducted with 41 parents and healthcare workers in Pasay City. Using Victor Turner's Social Drama Theory, our study identified existing social issues relating to the different angles of the Dengvaxia® controversy and the measles vaccine hesitancy. Results Misinformation on the failed Dengvaxia® rollout implementation has challenged the fundamental understanding of the importance of immunization programs. Our findings on vaccine hesitancy in the community showed a complex problem with compounded factors, including medical populism, moral panics and other social views. We described how Pasay City's clinic waiting room became a significantly important scenario where individuals often discuss information, concerns and experiences on vaccines and vaccine hesitancy. Conclusion Our study suggests that the Dengvaxia® controversy may reduce the measles vaccination confidence in the Philippines. Lack of transparency played a crucial role in this dilemma, producing a cascading effect on the other vaccines' safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nursing students trained to be health advocates have engaged in cigarette and electronic cigarette (EC) use. Our study aimed to determine the prevalence of cigarette and EC use among nursing students and examine how EC vaping and cigarette smoking are associated with various risk factors. This cross-sectional survey of smoking and vaping was administered to 249 nursing students in a private university in Manila, Philippines. An online-based selfassessment questionnaire (SAQ) that includes socio-demographic information, cigarette and EC usage, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and other risk factors was administered using on-campus and online recruitment strategies. Generalized linear models were fitted to estimate the effect of stress and other risk factors on smoking and vaping. Approximately one out of eight were exclusive vapers, one out of 25 were exclusive smokers, and one out of five were both smokers and vapers. The prevalence of smoking/vaping was 47% higher [adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR): 1.47, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.04-2.07, p-value = 0.028] among students with high-stress levels than students with low to moderate stress levels. In addition, students who were sophomores (aPR: 1.69, 95% CI: 1.12-2.53, p-value = 0.012), juniors (aPR: 3.22, 95% CI: 1.91-5.42, p-value < 0.001), and seniors (aPR: 1.53, 95% CI: 0.76-3.08, p-value = 0.230) had a higher prevalence of smoking/vaping compared to freshmen students. Having a positive attitude towards vaping health impacts and a smoker/vaper peer was also associated with a higher prevalence of smoking/vaping. Therefore, effective health communication strategies and policies in universities and the community are recommended to reinforce existing smoking and vaping control efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study characterized particulate matter 2.5 microns in the naturally ventilated Pediatric and Medicine wards and mechanically ventilated Central and Neonatal Intensive Care Units (CENICU and NICU) of an urban tertiary care hospital in the Philippines in terms of concentration, elemental composition, indoor/outdoor (I/O) ratios and enrichment factors. The samples were collected from October to December 2013 and from March to April 2014. Results showed that the average of PM 2.5 in the Pediatric (32.8 μgm -3 in October to December 2013 and 28.4 μgm -3 in March to April 2014) and Medicine Wards (30.0 μgm -3 in October to December 2013) exceeded the WHO guideline value of 25 μgm -3 . The I/O ratios suggest that outdoor air is the major source of PM 2.5 in all sites. Comparison of pollutant levels showed differences between the PM 2.5 concentrations in Pediatrics and NICU (p < 0.0001 in October to December 2013 and p = 0.003 in March to April 2014) and in Medicine and CENICU (p = 0.002 in October to December 2013 and p = 0.037 in March to April 2014). Moreover, outdoor PM 2.5 concentrations were higher than the measurements in NICU and CENICU (p < 0.0001). X-ray fluorescence analysis measured 15 elements, including manganese, iron, vanadium, lead and mercury, which are highly hazardous to health. Enrichment factor analysis showed that mercury, sulfur and bromine were highly enriched indicating significant contamination from anthropogenic sources. The researchers recommend the determination of these elements in soil within the area and other compartments and undertake a source apportionment study to ascertain the sources of these elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]