Slow sand filter can be effective for water purification. The formation of "schmutzdecke" on the surface of the sand bed can vary the efficiency of slow sand filter. This study aimed to investigate the efficiency of slow sand filter in purifying well water using Labo River sand as the filter medium. Bacteriological analysis and turbidity tests were done on water samples from deep and shallow well before and after filtration at 0.30 m, 0.60 m and 0.90 m filter depths and at 200 L/hr.m 2 , 300 L/hr.m 2 and 400 L/hr.m 2 flow-through rates. Percent removal of E. coli varied and efficiency was generally high at different depths and flowthrough rates. However, E. coli removal in different filter depths and flowthrough rates was not significant (p<0.05). Percent efficiency in reducing turbidity varied. Efficiency was increasing at increasing depths and flow-through rates. There was a significant difference on the efficiency to reduce turbidity among different sand filter depths (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference on the efficiency to reduce turbidity among the three flow-through rates. A significant interaction between filter depth and the flow-through rate in the removal of E. coli (p<0.05) was observed which means that increasing the depth of the sand filter while slowing the filtration rate improved efficiency in E. coli removal of the raw water. Most of the bacteria and particle removal is ascribed to schmutzdecke development. This study can help address the water problem particularly in local communities that depend greatly on well water for drinking.

The incidence of dengue has become a serious health concern in many areas around the world. The increasing number of dengue cases are said to be the result of rapid population growth and climate change. This study assessed the incidence of dengue in Ozamiz City, Philippines. It also determined the relationship of climatic factors on dengue incidence reported in the area. Documentary analysis was done in seven hospitals to identify the incidence of dengue in the city. Pearson's correlation was used to determine the association between climatic factors and dengue incidence. Multiple regression analysis was also used as a statistical model. A total of 1,908 dengue cases were reported from January 2008 to September 2013. Majority of the patients belonged to the age group of 1-10 years. Maximum number of cases was seen in 2010 (398 cases) which was highest in the month of January (215 cases). Out of the total 1,908 cases, 821 (43.03%) were dengue hemorrhagic fever, 781 (40.93%) were dengue fever and 306 (16.04%) were dengue shock syndrome. Among the 51 Barangays in the City, Barangay Aguada has the highest number of 186 cases (9.75%). Of all climatic factors, only relative humidity has a positive correlation with dengue incidence. Vector control and education campaign needs should be assessed as these factors may significantly influence the occurrence of dengue in the city. Strategic plans and measures for dengue prevention need to be implemented targeting young population.

Ozamiz City is the center for health and people from nearby places choose to access its health services because of the available amenities for life-threatening conditions. With the increasing incidence of infectious diseases, compliance of nurses with standard precautions (SP) is necessary to control healthcare-associated infections. This study determined the compliance with SP of 100 nurses in two tertiary hospitals in Ozamiz City using a structured questionnaire that passed the Cronbach's alpha reliability test. The study utilized the Kruskal-Wallis H test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Pearson's correlation statistical models. Findings revealed a very high compliance among nurses in 82.6% of the SP. Older and male nurses assigned to pedia ward with more years of work experience and attended SP training exhibited better compliance to SP. Nurses who experienced needlestick injury, not exposed to patient's body fluids, and vaccinated with the hepatitis B virus also showed better compliance. The difference in compliance among nurses when grouped by profile was not statistically significant (p<0.05). The correlation between knowledge and compliance was not also significant. The findings could help the administrators identify areas for improvement in nosocomial infection control in hospitals in this part of Mindanao. Research design and instrumentThe study used the descriptive-inferential research design. The survey was conducted in Ozamiz City utilizing a questionnaire modified from the instrument developed by Luo et al. (2010). Integration of the compliance activity on handling injured skin, discarding sharps boxes, handling used linens, and transporting laboratory specimens was one of the modifications. Included also in the questionnaire is an item on the knowledge of nurses on the single use of syringes.The questionnaire consists of three parts. Part I gathered the profile of the respondents regarding age, gender, the area of assignment, years of work experience, and SP training. This section of the questionnaire also obtained data regarding needlestick injury of nurses, their exposure to patient's body fluids, and hepatitis B vaccination. Part II with 23 items investigated the respondent's compliance. This portion of the questionnaire used the five-point scale: 0 = never, 1 = seldom, 2 = sometimes, 3 = usually, and 4 = always. The Cronbach's alpha value of 0.78 suggests that the items are reliable. The weighted mean was calculated for each item and interpreted using the following scales: 3.20-4.00 (Very high compliance); 2.40-3.19 (High compliance); 1.60-2.39 (Moderate compliance); 0.80-1.59 (Low compliance); 0.00-0.79 (Very low compliance).Part III of the questionnaire consists of 25 items that assessed the respondent's knowledge about SP. The respondents chose 'yes' or 'no' for their answer. A value of 1 was given for the 'yes' answer and 0 for the 'no' answer. The value of 0.79 from Cronbach's alpha test suggests the reliability of the items. The mean rank determines the compliance of nurses when they are grouped...

Improper waste disposal is one of the most important concerns in almost all areas in the Philippines. Republic Act (R. A.) No. 9003, otherwise known as the "Philippine Ecological Waste Management Act of 2000" required Local Government Units (LGUs) to establish a Local Government Solid Waste Management Plan (LGSWMP). Within this context, the local government of Ozamiz City in partnership with Misamis University undertook this study to gather data, on the current status of solid wastes, and to make a projection on the amount of wastes which will be collected for the next ten years. Result showed that among the four categories, biodegradable predominates followed by residual wastes. The household wastes constituted 88.9% by weight and 85.9% by volume of the total wastes. These results can be used in establishing a comprehensive and sustainable Solid Waste Management (SWM) plan which requires appropriate strategies and mechanics in addressing the problem on waste disposal.

No abstract