Background: Maternity clinics serve as critical entry points for preventing mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV through antenatal screening, counseling, and referral. Despite the enactment of the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act (Republic Act No. 11166), variations in the delivery of HIV testing and MTCT prevention services persist across health facilities, particularly at the local level. Objective: This study described the awareness, attitudes, and practices of nurses and midwives in maternity clinics regarding HIV testing and MTCT prevention in selected municipalities of Leyte, Philippines. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 90 nurses and midwives from public and private maternity clinics in Ormoc City, Baybay City, Albuera, Inopacan, and Hindang. Data were collected using a validated and pilot-tested questionnaire with acceptable to excellent internal consistency (KR-20 = 0.706–0.894). Analysis was limited to frequencies, and percentages. Results: Overall awareness of MTCT prevention (90.56%) and government HIV laws and policies (94.89%) was high. Attitudes toward HIV-positive pregnant women were mixed: while 61.11% reported feeling at ease in providing care, 91.11% perceived occupational risk. Regarding practices, 65.56% of clinics reported implementing routine HIV testing for pregnant women, with lower uptake of repeat testing and partner testing. Public clinics were more likely to offer HIV testing than private clinics. Reported constraints included financial limitations (41.11%) and legal or regulatory concerns (35.56%). Conclusion: Although maternity clinic staff demonstrated high awareness of MTCT prevention and HIV policies, inconsistencies in testing practices and residual attitudinal concerns were observed, particularly across facility types. These findings provide baseline descriptive evidence that may inform local planning, monitoring, and strengthening of MTCT prevention services.
Background: Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have a long history of association with food fermentation; however, the observed antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in some species has become a cause of concern. Objectives: This study aimed to characterize the antibiotic resistance profile of bacteriocinogenic LAB isolates. Methods: A total of 166 LAB isolates from different indigenous fermented foods in the Philippines were screened for bacteriocin production using the spot-on-lawn assay. Twenty-two (22) isolates exhibited bacteriocin production capacities. These isolates were identified using 16S rDNA homology analysis as Pediococcus pentosaceus (6), Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (5), Weisella cibaria (3), Enterococcus faecium (3), Enterococcus faecalis (2), Lactococcus garvieae (1), Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides (1), and Limosilactobacillus fermentum (1). Antimicrobial resistance profiles were determined against seven antibiotics (clindamycin, erythromycin, lincomycin, amoxicillin, tetracycline, penicillin, and streptomycin) using a standard antibiotic susceptibility test (AST) with commercially available antibiotic discs. Screening for AMR genes was conducted by amplifying known resistance genes using previously reported primers. Results: Out of the seven antibiotics tested, most LAB isolates were resistant to streptomycin (20/22, 90.91%), while most were susceptible to penicillin (1/22, 4.54%). Screening results revealed that sulfonamide and tetracycline resistance genes were detected in most isolates. It was also demonstrated that some AMR genes are plasmid-mediated. Conclusion: The findings underscore the importance of performing AMR profiling when selecting safe starter cultures for food fermentation to help mitigate the further spread of antibiotic resistance.
Background: Canine distemper (CD) remains a significant global threat to dog populations, yet comprehensive epidemiological data in the Philippines are limited, restricting accurate evaluation of vaccination programs and targeted control strategies. Objectives: This study aimed to address these gaps by analyzing clinical data from selected veterinary clinics in Cebu, Philippines, to better understand CD patterns and associated risk factors. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 417 clinical cases recorded from 2019 to 2024 across three veterinary clinics in Cebu. After data cleaning, 360 cases were included. Dogs tested for canine distemper virus (CDV) using commercial test kits met the inclusion criteria. Data on patient profiles, clinical signs, and treatments were collected and analyzed. Results: CDV-positive cases accounted for 49.4% of cases, while 50.6% were negative, with an increase in infections observed in 2024 (53.6%). Male and female dogs were equally affected. Most CDV-positive dogs were mixed-breed (82.6%), unvaccinated (83.7%), small-sized (68.8%), and within the young adult to mature adult age range (26.8–37.5%). Common clinical signs included ocular and nasal discharges (100%), inappetence (43.6%), fever (31.4%), and lethargy (8.3%). Co-infections such as Ancylostoma spp. (12.4%), canine ehrlichiosis (6.7%), canine parvovirus (5.1%), Trichuris spp. (5.1%), canine anaplasmosis (4.5%), and canine babesiosis (3.4%) were also noted. Treatment frequently involved antibiotics, particularly doxycycline (30.6%), along with supportive therapies including vitamins and supplements. Statistical analysis showed significant associations between CD positivity and age (χ² = 20.631, df = 4, P < 0.001) and vaccination status (χ² = 7.969, df = 2, P = 0.019). Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of vaccination and client education. Strengthened vaccination programs, improved diagnostics, and community-based interventions are essential to reduce CDV prevalence and improve outcomes in Cebu.
Volume 48, Issue 1 of the Annals of Tropical Research highlights interdisciplinary studies addressing contemporary challenges in tropical ecosystems. The issue features research on infectious diseases, healthcare systems, food safety, biological control, environmental remediation, marine ecology, postharvest technologies, and analytical innovations, emphasizing translational and locally grounded scientific approaches relevant to tropical regions. The articles underscore the importance of integrative research in advancing sustainable development and strengthening the resilience of tropical communities and ecosystems. This issue also marks an important milestone for the journal following its recent classification as a Q4 journal based on the SCImago Journal Rank (SJR) evaluation, reflecting the journal’s growing visibility and contribution to tropical research.
Background: The global nursing workforce faces ongoing shortages, ethical strain, and emotional fatigue—challenges that are especially acute in low-resource health systems. While existing research often focuses on burnout or the intent to migrate, little is known about how nurses who choose to stay in their home countries understand and sustain resilience, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives: To examine how Filipino nurses who continue to serve in local healthcare settings make sense of and sustain resilience amid enduring structural challenges and external migration pressures. Methods: Using Gadamer's hermeneutic phenomenology, nurses active in local practice at the time of the interview were purposively recruited from a range of nursing settings. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore their lived experiences. Data were analyzed using established interpretive frameworks, with rigor ensured through reflexivity, peer debriefing, and audit trails. All reporting adhered to the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR). Results: Three compelling themes emerged. Holding the Line represents moral steadfastness anchored in cultural values such as malasakit and collective solidarity. Bearing the Weight exposes the hidden emotional and ethical labor behind moral distress and organizational silence. Reimagining Tomorrow reflects generational hopes for recognition, professional growth, and a more equitable future. Conclusion: Resilience among Filipino nurses is not simply an individual trait but a dynamic, relational, and future-oriented process deeply shaped by sociocultural context, team belonging, and evolving professional aspirations. While resilience enables nurses to maintain care delivery under resource constraints, it also entails significant emotional and ethical costs that exceed personal coping. Systemic reforms—including supportive leadership, ethical organizational practices, reflective spaces, and sustainable career pathways—are needed to foster nurse retention and well-being.
