Articles

<b>Background:</b> Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global public health threat that compromises the effectiveness of antimicrobial therapy. Nurses play a critical role in antimicrobial stewardship (AMS); however, evidence regarding their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) in the Philippine setting remains limited. <b>Objective:</b> To determine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding antimicrobial stewardship among bedside nurses employed in selected tertiary hospitals in Baguio City, Philippines, and to examine the relationships between selected socio-demographic characteristics and AMS competencies. <b>Methods: </b>A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional correlational study was conducted among 119 bedside nurses from two tertiary hospitals in Baguio City. Data were collected using a modified, validated self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics summarized respondents' characteristics and KAP scores. The Shapiro–Wilk test assessed normality. Univariate linear regression examined associations between socio-demographic characteristics and KAP outcomes. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Most respondents demonstrated moderate knowledge, highly positive attitudes, and favorable antimicrobial stewardship practices. Greater knowledge was significantly associated with better stewardship practices. Likewise, positive attitudes were positively associated with stewardship practices. Previous antimicrobial stewardship education and selected socio-demographic characteristics were associated with improved KAP outcomes. <b>Conclusion:</b> Bedside nurses demonstrated positive attitudes and favorable antimicrobial stewardship practices despite moderate knowledge levels. Strengthening competency-based antimicrobial stewardship education may enhance nurses' participation in stewardship initiatives and improve patient safety while contributing to national and global efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance.

Hypertension remains a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Although effective antihypertensive therapies are available, sustained blood pressure control remains suboptimal due to inconsistent medication use. Most adherence research is quantitative and offers limited understanding of how individuals interpret lifelong treatment within daily life, particularly in culturally grounded contexts. To explore the lived experiences of Filipino adults taking antihypertensive medication. A qualitative study grounded in Heideggerian interpretive phenomenology was conducted. Ten Filipino adults diagnosed with hypertension were purposively recruited from outpatient clinics in Manila, Philippines. In-depth semi-structured interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using the six-step IPA framework. Analysis revealed six interconnected themes describing how participants interpreted and sustained medication use: (1) Diagnosis as Disruption; (2) Medication as Protection and Responsibility; (3) The Paradox of the Silent Illness; (4) Everyday Barriers to Sustained Treatment; (5) Constructing Routine and Adaptive Self-Management; and (6) Family as Anchor within Cultural Contexts. These themes reflected emotional adjustment, symptom-driven adherence, financial and work-related barriers, adaptive coping strategies, and strong family-centered motivation. Medication-taking was experienced as an ongoing negotiation shaped by bodily cues, daily demands, and relational obligations. Conclusion: Antihypertensive medication use is shaped by relational, cultural, and socioeconomic contexts, underscoring the need for family-inclusive and culturally responsive hypertension care.

Simulation-based learning (SBL) is widely recognized as an effective educational approach that bridges theory and practice in nursing education. Despite its global adoption, limited research has examined the experiences of Filipino nursing students with SBL, particularly in resource-constrained settings. This study explored the perspectives of Bachelor of Science in Nursing students from a university in Metro Manila, Philippines, on the impact of SBL on their skills, emotional responses, and challenges encountered. A descriptive qualitative design was employed using purposive sampling of ten students who had participated in at least one SBL activity. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and short written reflections and analyzed thematically following Braun and Clarke’s framework to capture nuanced experiences. Three major themes emerged from the analysis. First, students reported initial anxiety, nervousness, and stress during their early SBL experiences, which gradually transformed into confidence, adaptability, and resilience as they gained familiarity and competence. Second, SBL enhanced technical and cognitive skills such as clinical judgment, decision-making, teamwork, and patient-centered care, supporting students’ readiness for real-world practice. Third, students identified resource limitations, insufficient equipment, and time constraints as significant barriers to optimal learning, though these challenges also fostered creativity and perseverance. The findings demonstrate that SBL fosters technical competence, critical thinking, and professional growth but requires institutional support to address resource constraints and faculty development needs. This study underscores the importance of expanding SBL in Philippine nursing curricula to align with international best practices and to contribute to Sustainable Development Goals 3 (good health and well-being), 4 (quality education), and 5 (gender equality).

(1) <b>Background</b>: Psychological flexibility, the ability to adapt to changing demands while staying true to personal values, is linked to better health behaviors. However, its relationship with cardiovascular health behaviors, particularly in Filipino populations, remains underexplored. (2) <b>Aim</b>: This study aimed to examine the relationship between psychological flexibility and cardiovascular health behaviors among outpatients in Rizal, Philippines, focusing on BMI, smoking, physical activity, and dietary habits. (3) <b>Methods</b>: A cross-sectional, descriptive-correlational design was used with 100 outpatient participants from selected hospitals. Psychological flexibility was measured using the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II), and cardiovascular health behaviors were assessed using a modified version of the American Heart Association’s Life Simple 7 tool. Descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation were applied. (4) <b>Results</b>: The findings showed that respondents had neutral levels of psychological flexibility. While most exhibited intermediate BMI and physical activity, dietary habits varied. A significant positive correlation was found between psychological flexibility and whole grain consumption. However, no significant associations were found with BMI, smoking, or physical activity. (5) <b>Conclusions</b>: Psychological flexibility appears to influence specific health behaviors, such as dietary choices, but does not strongly correlate with other cardiovascular health behaviors. Further research is needed to explore its broader role in cardiovascular disease prevention.

<b>Background</b>: Disasters such as typhoons, floods, and earthquakes frequently impact the Philippines, placing nurses at the forefront of response and care. Given these recurring threats, ensuring that nurses possess adequate awareness, knowledge, and skills is crucial to mitigate risks, enhance preparedness, and promote effective disaster management. <b>Aim/Objectives</b>: This study sought to (1) assess the current levels of awareness, knowledge, skills, and involvement of private hospital nurses in Rizal Province across four phases of disaster management—mitigation and prevention, preparedness, response, and rehabilitation and recovery; and (2) propose a contingency and training plan based on identified gaps. <b>Methods</b>: A descriptive correlational design was employed. A total of 350 nurses from Level 1, 2, and 3 hospitals participated by completing a validated questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, and correlation tests to identify differences and relationships among variables. <b>Results</b>: Overall, the nurses reported very high levels of awareness and skills, coupled with a high level of knowledge and significant involvement in disaster-related activities. Nurses in larger (Level 3) hospitals exhibited higher practical readiness and engagement, while those in Level 1 and 2 facilities had comparatively lower scores. Positive correlations emerged between higher levels of awareness, knowledge, and skills and increased engagement in disaster initiatives. <b>Conclusion</b>: Building on these findings, a targeted contingency and training plan was designed using Pucel’s Performance-based Instructional Design, emphasizing hands-on simulations, structured policy briefings, and collaborative efforts with local disaster risk reduction offices. Addressing these specific gaps can bolster hospital preparedness, strengthen community resilience, and ensure more effective disaster response and patient care.