Determinants of Tuberculosis Case Detection Among Healthcare Providers in PaPaBaTa Lanao Del Norte: A Cross-Sectional Study

2026-05-07T07:17:23+00:00

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) continues to pose a significant public health challenge in the Philippines, with persistent gaps between estimated incidence and reported cases indicating suboptimal case detection. Healthcare providers play a critical role in TB identification and reporting, yet evidence on provider-related determinants in decentralized rural settings remains limited.

Objectives: This study aimed to examine healthcare provider–related determinants of TB case detection rates (CDR) in the PaPaBaTa Inter-Local Health Zone, Lanao del Norte, Philippines.

Methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional analytical design was employed involving 188 healthcare providers selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a validated self-administered questionnaire assessing predisposing (knowledge), enabling (resources and organizational support), and behavioral factors, alongside facility-level TB records to compute CDR. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression were used for analysis at a 95% confidence level.

Results: Providers demonstrated low perceived knowledge of TB diagnostic guidelines (M = 2.31), moderate enabling conditions (M =3.04), and moderate practice engagement (M = 3.04). Facility-level CDR varied from 7.27% to 33.33%. Knowledge (r = 0.42), enabling factors (r = 0.36), and behavioral practices (r = 0.41) showed significant positive correlations with CDR (p < 0.01). Regression analyses revealed that TB knowledge (β = 0.31), professional role, educational attainment, years of service, employment status, and type of posting significantly predicted CDR (R² = 0.48). Enabling (R² = 0.52) and behavioral factors (R² = 0.55) also significantly influenced detection outcomes, with routine screening and identification of presumptive cases as key predictors.

Conclusion: TB case detection is significantly influenced by provider knowledge, health system support, and behavioral practices. Strengthening training, resource provision, and provider engagement is essential to improve TB detection in decentralized settings.

From Parenting to Phone Dependency: Uncovering the Roots of Smartphone Addiction in Children

2026-06-08T06:29:31+00:00

Background: Smartphone addiction among school-going children is a growing public health concern with far-reaching consequences for academic achievement, social behaviour, and psychosocial well-being. Parental factors, including personality traits and parenting style, are fundamental in shaping children's digital self-regulation and technology use patterns. The present study aimed to assess the relationship between parental personality, parenting style, and children's smartphone addiction among parents of school-going children at a selected school in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

Methodology: A quantitative, cross-sectional, non-experimental descriptive design was adopted. The study was conducted among n = 113 parents of school-going children at a selected school of Varanasi, UP, selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a structured tool comprising four sections: (I) Socio-demographic Performa, (II) Big Five Personality Trait Checklist (10 items), (III) Parenting Style Questionnaire (15 items — authoritative, authoritarian, permissive subscales), and (IV) Children's Smartphone Addiction Scale (14 items, scored 0–3). Tools were validated by experts, and reliability was established prior to data collection (Cronbach's α reported for each subscale). Data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered via Google Form. Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Pearson's correlation coefficient and Chi-square test) were applied at α = 0.05 level of significance using SPSS.

Results: Among the parenting styles, permissive attitude showed the highest mean score (15.4 ± 4.06), followed by authoritative (14.1 ± 3.91) and authoritarian (13.8 ± 3.90). Correlation analysis revealed that conscientiousness was significantly negatively correlated with children's smartphone addiction (r = −0.236, p < 0.01), and neuroticism showed a significant positive correlation (r = 0.195, p < 0.05). All three parenting styles showed significant positive correlations with children's smartphone addiction: authoritarian (r = 0.425, p < 0.01), authoritative (r = 0.346, p < 0.01), and permissive (r = 0.278, p < 0.01). Among socio-demographic variables, only parents' daily mobile phone usage showed a statistically significant association with children's smartphone addiction (χ² = 13.597, df = 4, p = 0.009).

Conclusion: Parental personality traits and parenting style significantly influence smartphone addiction among school-going children. Conscientiousness emerged as a protective factor while neuroticism increased risk. Authoritarian and permissive parenting styles were associated with higher addiction levels. Parental mobile phone usage emerged as the single significant socio-demographic predictor. These findings underscore the need for parental awareness programmes and evidence-based digital parenting interventions in school and community health settings.

International Journal of Interdisciplinary Nursing Science

Determinants of Tuberculosis Case Detection Among Healthcare Providers in PaPaBaTa Lanao Del Norte: A Cross-Sectional Study

From Parenting to Phone Dependency: Uncovering the Roots of Smartphone Addiction in Children