Purpose Critical success factors (CSFs) in total quality management (TQM) implementation are vital to the quality improvement of organizations, including higher education institutions (HEIs). The present study aims to attempt to develop a TQM paradigm contextualized to HEIs in the Philippine setting. Design/methodology/approach A total of 309 randomly selected officials/faculty members from four public and four private HEIs participated in the study. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires. Factor analysis, using principal components with varimax rotation, was used to extract the main CSFs for TQM. Findings Results showed the extraction of two principal components. The first component (accounting for 42.95 per cent of the variance in the model) consisted of 25 quality indicators generally considered to fall under “people empowerment” and “continuous quality improvement” (CQI), while the second component (accounting for 42.31 per cent of the variance in the model) consisted of 24 quality indicators that fall under “leadership commitment” and “stakeholder satisfaction”. Research limitations/implications The study was focused on determining the CSFs in the TQM implementation of Philippine HEIs. Practical implications Findings of this study may be used by HEIs as basis for planning, decision-making and in directing their strategies and resources in the integration of the paradigm in their business process. Social implications The proposed TQM paradigm, upon adoption by Philippine HEIs, may be used as a quality measurement tool to improve performance, embed and sustain quality culture. Originality/value This is the first study that developed a TQM paradigm for Philippine HEIs. The identified CSFs are basically the same as those in the cited studies but with relatively greater emphasis on people empowerment.

No published study has been tracked to date on the physical activity (PA) and dietary habits (DH) of Filipino college students. Thus, this cross-sectional study aimed to determine (1) the prevalence of regular PA among college students in a Philippine setting and (2) the reasons for either adherence to PA or for being inactive, (3) to describe DH of the students, (4) to compare PA involvement and DH across year levels, and (5) to correlate PA and diet behaviors. Data were collected using a self-administered survey questionnaire. Results showed that only 32.8% of the 1,706 students in this study engaged in regular PA. There were greater proportions of inactivity at higher-year levels (62.5%, 66.5%, 76.5%, and 84.8% in the first, second, third and fourth year, respectively). The major reason for inactivity was lack of time, while the students’ PA adherence was largely due to predisposing factors such as knowledge about PA, beliefs in benefits and enjoyment of PA, and confidence in performing physical activity. About one of every three students in each year level had below-average to poor dietary habits, meaning they seldom eat proper types of food. Findings of this study indicate the need for an intervention that will effectively increase regular PA and ensure proper food intake in the student population.

Studies show that university students are big fans of FB, but to date, no local study documenting the association between FB use and academic performance among Filipino college students has yet been published. Thus, this research investigated the extent of FB use among students in a private university in the Philippines and correlated it to their General Weighted Average (GWA). A total of six hundred eighty-six (686) freshmen and sophomores participated in the survey. Results showed a weak but positive correlation between FB use and GWA, implying that more time spent on FB is associated with better academic performance. This may be attributed to the finding that most of the students use Facebook to update themselves on school activities and work with other students in completing course and school requirements. The students spend an average of 2 hours every week using Facebook, peaking during the weekends. This study provides evidence that FB offers a useful platform for students' academic communication. Details of school-related FB use by students as well as teachers may be subjects for future studies.

Chronic diseases affect the overall quality of life of patients as it negatively impacts different areas in life. The review assessed and qualitatively compared the quality of life (QoL) of patients suffering from three chronic diseases namely patients undergoing hemodialysis, patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and patients with breast cancer. Qualitative assessment of previous studies using the Ferrans and Powers quality of life index was conducted. Nineteen (19) full texts were included and comprehensively analyzed. Statistically significant lower scores were noted on the health/functioning and socioeconomic domains of patients undergoing hemodialysis and no significant difference in other areas on the quality of life. There was also no significant difference in the overall scores among the three chronic diseases under study. But while the overall QoL of patients are within the same range, results suggest that hemodialysis patients experience the greatest negative impact in terms of socioeconomic and health/functioning domains in the QoL. Thus, health interventions, educational programs, and policy formulations should focus on improving these aspects. This would also call for a multidisciplinary approach to address the issues related to the quality of life of hemodialysis patients. Keywords Quality of life. Chronic disease. Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Breast cancer. Hemodialysis patients This article is part of the Topical Collection on Medicine

No abstract