Validated Survey Questionnaire Research Articles

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices to Sunscreen Use among Dermatology Patients at University Hospital Amman, Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background and Aims: Skin cancer is a significant public health concern globally. Jordan’s location and high exposure to UV radiation have led to an increase in the incidence rate of skin cancer. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of patients to sunscreen use in one of the major hospitals in Jordan, and identify demographic factors associated with regular sunscreen use. Methodology: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted at the dermatology clinic of Jordan University Hospital, Amman, Jordan, from February 2, 2023 to March 6, 2023. The study included 397 participants recruited from the clinic’s waiting area. A validated survey questionnaire was used to collect data on demographics, previous skin cancer history, sunscreen allergies, knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to sunscreen use. The data were analyzed using SPSS v. 26. Statistical significance was established at a p-value of <0.05. Results: The majority of participants were female (67.0%) and aged 18–25 years (53.7%). Only 24.9% of participants reported using sunscreen regularly, while 34.0% reported never using it. Participants with higher education levels and income were more likely to use sunscreen regularly. The main sources of sunscreen recommendations were family and friends (48.1%), followed by dermatologists (32.7%). The most common reason for not using sunscreen was forgetfulness (40.1%). Conclusion: The study revealed that knowledge and practices related to sunscreen use among Jordanian dermatology patients are insufficient, and that there is a need for increased patient education regarding the importance of sunscreen use.

The Level of Awareness and Acceptance of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act of 2016 and its Implications to Bureau of Customs Officials, Licensed Customs Brokers, and Stakeholders

This study was done to analyze the implication of Republic Act 10863, otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act of 2016, and its impact on the Bureau of Customs. Specifically, it looked into the demographic profile of the customs officials in terms of age, gender, year of service in the Bureau of Customs, highest educational attainment, number of conferences and seminars attended for the last 3 years, and licensure examination passed. For licensed customs brokers, their age, gender, number of years in the profession/business, highest educational attainment, number of conferences and seminars attended for the last 3 years, and licensure examination passed were profiled while the age, gender, number of years in the company, highest educational attainment, number of conferences and seminars attended for the last 3 years, and licensure examination passed were profiled. It f focused on the extent of the level of awareness of the three groups of respondents (Bureau of Customs Officials, Licensed Customs Brokers, and Stakeholders) on the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act in terms of the declarant and its duties and responsibilities, international standards and practices, importation and exportation, the accuracy of database collection and consolidation, compliance to the Revised Kyoto Convention (Convention on the Simplification and Harmonization of customs procedure) and revenue-generating agency. It also determined the level of acceptance of the three (3) groups of respondents in terms of the declarant and its duties and responsibilities, international standards and practices, importation and exportation, the accuracy of database collection and consolidation, compliance to the Revised Kyoto Convention (Convention on the Simplification and Harmonization of customs procedure) and revenue-generating agency. Likewise, it looked into the significant difference among the level of awareness of the Bureau of Customs Officials, Licensed Customs Brokers, and Stakeholders (Importer, Exporter) as well as the significant difference among the levels of acceptance of the Bureau of Customs Officials, Licensed Customs Brokers and Stakeholders (Importer, Exporter) in terms of the declarant and its duties and responsibilities, international standards and practices, importation and exportation, the accuracy of database collection and consolidation, compliance to the Revised Kyoto Convention (Convention on the Simplification and Harmonization of customs procedure) and revenue-generating agency, Moreover, it determined the challenges encountered in the implementation of CMTA on declarant provisions, international standard and practices, importation and exportation and compliance to the Revised Kyoto Convention (Convention on the Simplification and Harmonization of Customs Procedure). Finally, found out how the Bureau of Customs Officials addresses the challenges encountered on declarant provisions, international standards and practices, importation and exportation, and compliance to the Revised Kyoto Convention (Convention on the Simplification and Harmonization of Customs Procedures). The researcher utilized the descriptive method of research, which was descriptive and comparative in approach. A total of 40 customs officials, licensed customs brokers, and 50 stakeholders were used as respondents of the study. Data for the research was gathered with the use of a research-made and validated survey questionnaire. Collected data however were subjected to statistical treatment with the application of the following descriptive and inferential statistical techniques; frequency, percentage, weighted mean, ANOVA, and t – Test. The study found that there is no significant difference between the extent of awareness and level of acceptance of the three groups of respondents on the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act in terms of the selected variables. Keywords: Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, Level of Awareness, Level of Acceptance, Customs Brokers

Dissecting behavioral inertia in shaping different resident participation behaviors in neighborhood regeneration: A quantitative behavioral experiment

Research on resident participation in neighborhood regeneration provides valuable insights for urban policymakers in environmental governance. While previous studies have extensively examined various influencing factors, they often neglect the impact of behavioral inertia. To address this gap, this study conducts a behavioral experiment to quantitatively assess the presence and impact of behavioral inertia on residents' governance and financial participation behaviors. A total of 576 valid survey questionnaires were collected, and conditional logit model and ordered logit model were utilized for analysis. The study reveals that behavioral inertia is indeed observable in residents' governance participation and financial participation behaviors. Furthermore, the findings underscore distinct drivers of behavioral inertia for these two types of participation behaviors, with emotional reactions predominantly influencing governance participation, while short-term thinking largely shapes financial participation. Theoretically, this study uses the innovative concept of “behavioral inertia” to offer a new explanatory framework for aspects of behavior that cannot be solely explained by the attributes of regeneration plans. Furthermore, the behavioral experiments utilized in this study exemplify how the research framework of behavioral science can be applied to the study of urban governance in a broad context internationally. Practically, the research findings provide valuable insights for urban policymakers to tailor measures aimed at promoting resident participation and fostering sustainable urban development.

COMPARING STUDENTS’ ATTITUDE TOWARD CODE-SWITCHING

This study aimed to determine the significant difference in students’ attitudes toward code-switching when analyzed according to age, gender, and ethnicity. The study employed the non-experimental quantitative research design utilizing the descriptive-comparative method and stratified random sampling with Mean, t-test, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) as statistical tools. Researchers used adapted and validated survey questionnaires in gathering the data from the 200 target respondents. The result showed that the affective indicator of the student’s attitude generated a high mean score and showed that the items were often manifested. This means that students’ positive attitude toward code-switching is often manifested, implying that students use code-switching frequently and have a positive outlook on it. It was also found that the students’ demographic profiles do not have a significant difference in their attitude toward code-switching. Even the results show no significant difference; these results still emphasize the importance of integrating code-switching into educational practices, acknowledging its potential benefits in enhancing linguistic flexibility and fostering communication strategies in academic settings. Researchers emphasize performing more research regarding code-switching that is not included in the current study and explore different approaches to deepen understanding of the reasons behind their attitude by providing plausible factors and elaborations.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0760/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Interplay of Language and Identity in Education: Prospection for Urdu and English Language and Second Language Teaching and Learning

Educational contexts are the primary sites for the promulgation of linguistic ideologies and for determining the linguistic market for a language. English language in Pakistan is considered vital for mundane, official, and academic activities hence its learning gains currency in the polity. Conversely, the learning outputs are unsatisfactory which necessitates understanding how English language learners perceive themselves concerning the languages they are taught in the educational context. This study explains the language identity for Urdu (L1) and English (L2) of Pakistani undergraduate English as second language (ESL) learners for institutionally recognized and prescribed languages in the national curriculum to explicate the interplay of language and identity of learners in educational settings. Learners’ demographic profiles (previous education, schooling system, language proficiency, and family’s socio-economic status) were also inquired to understand relationship variation across demographic traits. A validated survey questionnaire was administered to a sample (N=316) comprising male and female students from 28 different programmes at a large public university in Karachi. Descriptive analysis and one-way ANOVA were carried out using the IBM SPSS 22 version. The findings attest to learners’ hybrid identity revealing attachment neither with L1 nor to L2. Learners acknowledged the privileged status of the English language in polity and preferred British English compared to the indigenous variety of Pakistani English [PakE] echoing the language ideologies permeated through the Educational context. They also endorsed English language speaking skills for gaining higher recompenses in society however deluded themselves in code[1]switching instead of practicing speaking skills. Besides, no significant difference was found in the language identity of ESL learners across demographic traits. The study has strong implications for devising language policies for education and adopting pedagogical approaches calling to accentuate language identity as a catalyst in the teaching-learning process and not considering linguistic diversity a barrier in the multilingual context.

AI Chatbots: Elevating Customer Interactions Amidst Challenges

In the current era of rapid technological advancement, businesses must stay abreast of current trends to maintain competitive edge and ensure continued success. Prioritizing customer experience is paramount wherein showcasing a deep commitment to customer-oriented style is the differentiator. The modern marketing technologies give rise to intelligent conversational agents that has revolutionized customer engagement. As technology continues to shape the global business landscape, this study assessed the customer experience through their extent of interaction and challenges encountered in using artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots.Descriptive-quantitative research method was employed using validated survey questionnaire distributed to 258 locals from targeted respondents in the barangays of Las Pinas City who have experiences in interacting with AI-chatbots. The respondents were clustered to smaller groups who are knowledgeable about the topic, experienced using AI Chatbots by top e-commerce shops and are willing to participate. While AI chatbots have the potential to improve customer experience, their limitations and challenges must be addressed to ensure more effective and satisfying customer transactions.

Factors associated with community volunteering among adults over the age of 50 in Malaysia.

Community volunteering is defined as voluntary participation in activities and services to benefit the local community. It has potential benefits to promote social, physical, and mental well-being, and it enhances productive, healthy, and active aging. The tendency to volunteer varies across individuals and communities. There is limited knowledge of contributing factors influencing volunteering among Malaysian adults over the age of 50. The present study aims to assess the association of demographic, cultural, and social factors with volunteering among Malaysian adults over the age of 50. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2020 involving 3,034 Malaysians aged 50 years and above across Malaysia, selected using a multi-stratified random sampling technique based on National Census 2020 data. A validated survey questionnaire to determine the demographic factor (age, sex, education level, employment status, health status, physical disability, and location of residence), cultural factor (ethnicity and religion), and social factor (social support, marital status, living arrangement, mode of transportation) that influence voluntary participation was distributed and collected. The association between these factors and volunteer participation was analysed using logistic regression models to identify significant predictors of voluntary participation among Malaysian adults over the age of 50. A regression model indicates that living in rural areas (OR 2.03, 95% CI 1.63-2.53), having higher education level (Tertiary level: OR 2.77, 95% CI 1.86-4.13), being employed (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.10-1.56), differences in ethnicity background (Chinese: OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.39-0.86) and ease of transportation (Driving private transport: OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.19-1.32; Public transport: OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.00-1.154) were significantly associated with volunteering with R2 Nagelkerke of 0.147. Recognising various factors towards community volunteering should be addressed by policymakers and volunteer organisations to increase volunteer participation from potential adults over the age of 50 in promoting healthy and active ageing.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Patients With Rheumatic Diseases in Medina, Saudi Arabia: An Observational Cross-Sectional Study.

The Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic undoubtedly ranks among the most health-impacting pandemics throughout medical history.Although the COVID-19 global public health emergency has ended, lessons need to be learned to be more ready to facesimilar pandemics in the future. Few studies in Saudi Arabia discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on autoimmune rheumatic disease (AIRD) patients. Thus, this study was conducted to elaborate on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on AIRDpatients and rheumatology practices in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This observational cross-sectional study was conducted among patients aged over 14with AIRD using a pre-designed validated survey questionnaire. Data were collected from AIRD patients who were following up between November 2021 to April 2022 at the Rheumatology Clinicof King Fahad General Hospital in Madinah City, Saudi Arabia. This center was chosen as being the main hospital in the city following patients of AIRD. A total of 324 patients were included in our study, with the majority (n=264, 81.5%) being females. The mean age was 44.42±14.4 years. Clinical data revealed that 115(35.5%) of our patients experienced mild COVID-19 infection, 19 (5.9%) suffered from respiratory insufficiency, and seven (2.2%) required admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). Non-compliance to medication was recorded at 25.2%. There were 115 (35.5%) patients who had an AIRD flare that was significantly higher among those who were not adherent to the medications (p<0.001). Disease flare was also significantly seen among patients who were not on prednisone or were on low doses of prednisone (p<0.001). The majority (n=33, 97.1%) of the 34 infected patients who had an AIRD flarehad their flare-up at the same time as their COVID-19 infection (p<0.001). COVID-19 vaccination rate was 87.7% (n=284).The most common reason for non-vaccination in 40 (12.3%) patients was the patients' concern about disease flare-ups by the vaccine or interference of the vaccine with their medication (n=16, 4.9%). Our study showed a 35.5% (n=115) COVID-19 infection rate. The majority of our AIRDpatients sustainedminor infections that did not require hospitalization or ICU admission. The majority of the patients who underwent a severe COVID-19 infection coursewere not on prednisolone or were on low-dose prednisone. Due to COVID-19 restrictions and drug shortages, one in four patients (25.3%) stopped taking their medications and was significantly found to have a high prevalence of underlying AIRD flare. Despite the high vaccination rate, disease flare was the biggest concern for those who were not immunized. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has ended, doctors should be aware of risk factors associated with severe AIRD outcomes that should be balanced based on the infection severity, underlying disease flares, and patient-centered education about medication adherence and vaccination.

PERCEIVED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT NEEDS AND EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AS PREDICTORS OF MATHEMATICS TEACHING ANXIETY AMONG MATHEMATICS PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS

The primary purpose of this study was to determine whether perceived professional development needs and emotional intelligence predicts mathematics teaching anxiety among mathematics pre-service teacher. This study employed descriptive and correlational designs. Using the stratified random sampling, 103 mathematics pre-service teachers were selected as participants from Davao del Nortes seven higher education institutions during the school year 2021–2022. Moreover, this study utilized three adapted and validated survey questionnaires to gather data, which were treated using mean, Pearson-r, and regression analysis. The findings suggested that pre-service teachers perceived professional development needs are highly addressed, and emotional intelligence is manifested most of the time. Furthermore, the mathematics teaching anxiety of mathematics pre-service teachers is less evident. Findings also revealed that both perceived professional development needs and emotional intelligence exhibit a significant negative correlation with mathematics teaching anxiety. In addition, only perceived professional development needs to predict mathematics teaching anxiety among mathematics pre-service teachers. Future researchers may consider the studys findings which may help them uncover other factors that might improve the conduct of perceived professional development needs and emotional intelligence in relation to mathematics teaching anxiety among mathematics pre-service teachers. With these, teachers and school administrators are encouraged to address professional development needs and assess and boost emotional intelligence to help eliminate mathematics teaching anxiety among mathematics pre-service teachers. KEYWORDS: mathematics education, perceived professional development needs, emotional intelligence, mathematics teaching anxiety, pre-service teachers, descriptive and correlational designs, regression analysis, Philippines

Training Program for an Internet-Of-Things Assembler: A Curricular Innovation

The Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionized our interaction with objects, from daily items to industrial systems, creating a demand for skilled IoT assemblers. To address this need, a training program titled "Training Program for an Internet-of-Things Assembler: A Curricular Innovation" was developed, aiming to enhance competencies in IoT assembly. The study delves into pivotal competencies for IoT professionals, offering insights for upskilling in the domain. The IoT Training Program equips trainees with interdisciplinary proficiencies for prototyping robust IoT solutions and orchestrating end-to-end systems. Curricular innovation's significance in tackling education challenges in the digital age is underscored. Employing Research &amp; Development (R&amp;D) design, the study followed the Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation (ADDIE) methodology. The "Research" phase identified fundamental competencies for IoT assemblers through Computational Topic Modeling and Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA). The "Development" phase encompassed Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation. A comprehensive training program was created and assessed. A validated survey questionnaire gauged participants’ perception of implementation, revealing the program's efficacy. Results highlighted the program's impact, enhancing IoT assemblers' skills in assembling/disassembling IoT devices, applying competencies, and using cloud services over IP networks. Integration of Computational Topic Modeling with LDA effectively identified pivotal competencies, enabling significant skill enhancement and integration into the transformative IoT field. The study's insights facilitate continuous innovation in IoT assembly through ongoing refinement of the training program. The study underscores curricular innovation's importance in addressing education challenges in the digital era, paving the way for proficient IoT professionals.

Nâng cao khả năng tiếp cận dịch vụ ngân hàng điện tử của đối tượng yếu thế trên địa bàn tỉnh Bắc Ninh

Faced with the low ability of vulnerable people to access electronic banking services in Bac Ninh, the research team surveyed of 250 vulnerable people in the province, in the period from November 2022 to January 2023, putting 237 valid survey questionnaires into testing scale reliability, EFA testing and OLS linear regression. The results have drawn 5 factors that affect the access to electronic banking services of vulnerable groups in the province, including: (1) Cost awareness, (2) Influence of state policies, (3) Ease of use, (4) Communication factor and (5) Risk awareness. Through the results of this study, the authors made recommendations to help policymakers take appropriate measures to improve access to electronic banking services of vulnerable people in Bac Ninh Province, helping vulnerable people to be more equal in access to the achievements of the technological revolution

Federal Philippines? Benchmark metrics drawn from three Federalist models

This research is an input to the proposed “Federal Philippines,” specifically addressing the gap on what model of federalism is suitable for the country. Recognizing that consultation from the grassroots is an important aspect of policymaking, a validated survey questionnaire that has passed a statistical reliability test was personally administered to 400 qualified respondents within a multicultural community. The result revealed which among the American, German, and Nigerian models is most favored. However, considerable differences arose within each model, with certain indicators being accepted and least accepted. Thus, a matrix of the most favored and less favored indicators is presented for strategic considerations.

Severity of Neuropathy-Related Disability and Associated Factors of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in a Tertiary Healthcare Center: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study.

The widespread presence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DN) and its related variables among diagnosed diabetes mellitus (DM) patients in Kerala lacks sufficient evidence. The objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of DN and its related risk variables among those with DM who were receiving care at a tertiary health institution in Kerala. This study was conducted in a tertiary health center in Kerala using a cross-sectional design. The diagnosis of diabetes was established by assessing the glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level and the fasting blood glucose (FBG) level. A validated survey questionnaire was employed to gather demographic data as well as the medical history of DM and associated ailments. A thorough physical examination, BMI, and blood pressure were recorded. Dermatological, musculoskeletal, neurological, and vascular assessments were conducted. The subjects were assessed for neuropathy using a neuropathy disability score (NDS). Consequently, those who met the criteria for DM were classified into two groups: those with neuropathy and those without neuropathy. All research participants underwent laboratory examinations such as blood lipid profiles, HbA1c, and vitamin B12 complex concentrations. The study included 200 DM patients; 120 men and 80 women. Study participants were 40-70 years old, with a median age of 53. The prevalence of DN significantly increased with age (p<0.001). The longer a patient had DM, the higher the prevalence of DN, and this variance in percentage was statistically significant (p<0.009) with an OR (odds ratio) of 9.246. A statistically significant 81 (40.5%) of participants graduated, compared to 119 (59.5%) with only higher secondary education or less (OR = 2.042; p = 0.014). Approximately 107 (53.5%) of individuals earned an income under two lakhs, and this disparity was deemed statistically significant (p = 0.003) with an OR of 2.357. In the group of individuals being studied, 53 (26.5%) of them experienced a decrease in pressure sensation, 47 (23.5%) had a decrease or absence of vibration perception, 48 (24%) had an absence or decreased pinprick response, and 46 (23%) had an absent ankle reflex. The study found that the most commonly reported symptoms were tingling (n = 44; 22%), numbness (n = 42; 21%), burning (n = 37; 18.5%), pricking (n = 29; 14.5%), and pain (n = 27; 13.5%). A strong association was found between DN and glycemic status, namely, FBG levels exceeding 140 mg/dL(OR = 4.511, p < 0.001) and HbA1c levels exceeding 6.5% (OR = 3.87, p < 0.001). The prevalence of abnormal vitamin B12 levels in individuals with DN was 63% (p = 0.19), indicating that the finding was not statistically significant. Within the group of individuals with DN being studied, 22% exhibited mild neuropathy, 34% displayed moderate neuropathy, and 44% had severe neuropathy. The DN individuals had significantly reduced ankle dorsiflexion in cases of severe NDS scores compared to those with mild to moderate NDS scores (p = 0.009). During the binary logistic regression analysis, it was shown that the duration of DM (OR = 1.73; p = 0.038) and FBG levels (OR = 2.87; p = 0.018) were determined as predictors for DN. The findings of this study reveal that the duration of diabetes, age, literacy level, income, HbA1c, and FBG were substantially related to a higher likelihood of DN among diabetic patients.

Cultivating Cheer Dance Team Cohesion Factors Towards Team Performance Among Student- Athletes In Selected Universities In Anhui Province, China

The study analyzed the current situation of team cohesion among cheer dance athletes, in order to find out the factors that influence team cohesion and to help the cheer dancers navigate towards enhanced team performance and eventually results in improved competition results. The study was conducted to ten selected universities in Anhui Province in China based on garnered awards in cheer dance competitions. The respondents who were purposively were the 15- member cheer dance team of each 10 targeted universities or for a total of 150 cheer dance members and joined by 10 coaches or their assistant coaches . The study utilized a validated survey questionnaire to assess on team cohesion factor and team performance dimensions. The findings showed that cheer dance athletes were very cohesive. The assessment among the athletes were found to vary with sex, age , grade level and college affiliation. Performance of cheer dance athletes were found satisfactory among coaches, citing that prior learning, team goals, and positive attitudes are contributory factors to team performance. The correlation between team cohesion and the assessed level of team performance among cheer dance athlete-respondents were found strong and positively associated. It was inferred that the team members who work together, produce positive results, and lead to ensure long-term success for their performances. It reflects that transformation leadership play a pivotal role in putting cohesiveness among players in a competitive game. The study recommends that a program on teambuilding be developed to sustain cohesiveness.

Q-SIM (Quizizz Powered SIM): Strategic Intervention Material in Teaching Biology

This study embarks on an empirical journey to evaluate the efficacy of Q-SIM as a teaching material in biology education. The study also determined the students’ attitudes toward using developed Q-SIM. Moreover, a one-group pre-test–post-test design was used to assess the impact of Q-SIM intervention on DNA, RNA, and Protein Synthesis. The study provided the student’s academic performance results before and after the intervention using their mean scores. Furthermore, the mean difference between the student’s pre-test and post-test was also calculated using a t-test to find out the significant impact of Q-SIM. The researchers also used a validated survey questionnaire as the primary tool of the study to determine students’ attitudes and perceptions. The findings showed that implementing Q-SIM is promising for enhancing students’ academic performance. The significant differences observed between pre-test and post-test results underscore the positive impact of Q-SIM on students’ understanding and mastery of subject matter. Moreover, students’ highly positive attitudes towards Q-SIM indicate a favorable perception of this innovative educational tool. As technology plays a pivotal role in shaping the educational landscape, Q-SIM stands out as a valuable asset, offering improved academic outcomes and fostering a positive and engaging learning environment. Future utilization of this Q-SIM as a strategic instructional material would raise students’ academic performance and attitude in teaching specific science concepts and applying this Q-SIM in another discipline.

ASSESSMENT OF GUIDANCE SERVICES IMPLEMENTED BY SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN GENERAL SANTOS CITY, PHILIPPINES: BASIS FOR INTERVENTION PROGRAM

This study assessed the implementation of guidance services in secondary schools within General Santos City, focusing on fundamental functions performed by guidance offices, including individual inventory/cumulative records, educational and occupational information, counseling, testing, research and evaluation, follow-up and referral, and extension services. The research employed a descriptive-evaluative design, emphasizing judgment in the evaluation process. Participants in the study included 60 guidance advocates and principals or school heads from secondary schools in the DepEd Division of General Santos City. A meticulously validated survey questionnaire served as the primary tool for evaluating the services, with data analysis conducted through weighted means. The findings indicated areas in counseling and research and evaluation services that require intervention for improved implementation. Specifically, the study highlighted the inadequacy of guidance counselors for effective counseling and the limited capacity of guidance offices to conduct research and evaluation. To address these gaps, an intervention program was proposed, aiming to enhance the overall implementation of guidance services in secondary schools.&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Article visualizations:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="/-counters-/soc/0744/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

The Mediating Effects of Work-Life Balance on the Relationship of School Heads' Leadership Practices and Teachers' Work Satisfaction

This study sought to determine whether work-life balance mediates the relationship between school leaders' leadership and teachers' job satisfaction. The descriptive-correlational research design was used in the study, which involved 176 randomly selected public school elementary teachers from the Division of Misamis Oriental, Philippines. The main data source for this study was a modified, and validated survey questionnaire. The study found that most respondents were female and that the 31-45 age bracket is particularly well represented. Furthermore, the prevalence of Teacher I positions suggested that the study sample was primarily composed of entry-level teaching roles. In terms of service years, those with 6-10 years were the largest group. However, in terms of civil status, the results revealed a predominance of married people. The most common category of children is those with 2-3 children, and the most common income category is 25,001-30,000 per month. In addition, work-life balance does not differ significantly by gender, age, service years, civil status, children, or income level. It implies that different groups may have unique needs and preferences for maintaining and achieving work-life balance. Furthermore, no direct correlation has been found between work-life balance and satisfaction; therefore, school administrators must investigate this relationship further. The indirect, direct, and total effects were not statistically significant, suggesting that work-life balance does not mediate the relationship between leadership and job satisfaction. Schools and educational institutions can investigate further the benefits of focusing on leadership development programs that improve leadership skills and practices to positively influence teacher satisfaction.

GOTTA CATCH’ EM ALL: UTILIZATION OF IMPROVISED INSECT TRAPS AS HOME-BASED BIOLOGY EXPERIMENT FOR INSECT TAXONOMY

Classifying, naming, and identifying insects have been complicated topics among science teachers and students. This problem is due to the highly technical collection protocols, safekeeping procedures, the unavailability of appropriate learning resources, and the closure of school laboratories and facilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Using the remote learning setup, this study utilized Improvised Insect Traps (IITs) to provide an authentic learning experience in teaching and learning insect taxonomy at home. The study aimed to determine the effects of using IITs on students’ self-efficacy beliefs and perceived levels of engagement. In this quasi-experimental study, 42 students designed and developed their improvised insect traps. Insect collection and classification were accomplished within four weeks. A 20-item validated survey questionnaire on self-efficacy and engagement levels was administered via Google Forms. Students’ feedback was gathered using virtual focus group discussions and open-ended questions. Results revealed that IITs effectively improved students’ self-efficacy beliefs (Z=0.033, p-value=0.022, g=0.68), while no improvement was noted in students’ perceived levels of engagement (Z=0.143, p-value=0.188, g=0.07) in teaching and learning insect taxonomy. Moreover, students’ feedback and responses were classified as Affordances or Constraints. Subthemes such as motivation, satisfaction, authentic learning, safety, and parental involvement were generated in the thematic analysis. Overall, this study found that the IITs activity is relevant in teaching insect taxonomy and delivering practical learning experiences among students in a distance learning modality.

Ab. No. 138 Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Physical Activity in Subjects With Hypertension

Introduction: Hypertension a commonly prevalent non-communicable disease with a national incidence of more than 2.5 million can be managed with proper medical management, sufficient physical activity (PA) and lifestyle changes. Less knowledge about Physical activity as a management for hypertension among hypertensive subjects warrants this study. Aim of the study is to identify and analyze the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Physical activity in hypertensive subjects. Methods: 256 consented hypertensive subjects of both Genders, age 18 to 70, with a clinical history of &gt; 10 months were included; Patients with recent cardiac events, hospitalization in the past 2 weeks, severe comorbidities, patients contraindicated to physical activity and pregnant women were excluded. Demographic and basic clinical data were obtained. A self-developed experts validated survey questionnaire with 22 questions has been filled by the participants Based on the responses participant’s knowledge, attitude and practice of Physical Activity were identified. Results: In the study population, 62.1% had low PA, 36.7% had Moderate PA and only 1.2% had high PA levels.37.1% of population had Positive attitude about physical activity and 62.9% had negative attitude.Only 39.5% of population were practicing a structured physical activity. Using the Pearson’s correlation, the correlation between Physical activity levels and KAP individually were analysed and found to have statistically significant positive correlation between physical activity (IPAQ) and Practice (p value.0005) and between Knowledge and Physical activity (p value.0001). Conclusion: Subjects with hypertension have poor knowledge and have a negative attitude towards PA. With this KAP survey results, physiotherapists should start spreading awareness about importance of PA and the lurking danger of Physical inactivity for hypertensive subjects in general population. Proper patient education needs to be provided to emphasize the practice of tailor-made structured PA for hypertensive subjects and future multicentric studies are warranted.

Training and Development Practices and their Influence on Workers' Job Performance

Training is the most crucial variable in each area, as it increases workers' and the organization's competency and viability. It enhances employees' skills because, without training, workers fall short of the abilities anticipated for their responsibilities. Therefore, the researcher has investigated the present study to provide recommendations either to find a permanent solution to the existing problem or to decrease the existence of the present condition. The present study employed a descriptive research design, utilizing a questionnaire as the primary tool for data collection. The respondents for this study were employees at an international ministry. The researcher used a validated survey questionnaire to gather data from 60 respondents. The results revealed the substantial impact of training and development on job performance, highlighting its pivotal role in achieving excellence and competencies across various dimensions. The identified strong positive relationship between training/development and job performance emphasizes the integral role played by these initiatives in enhancing the capabilities and overall performance of the Ministry's workforce. Based on the study's findings, recommendations for the Ministry include the continuation of needs-based program design, aligning training initiatives with organizational goals, and maintaining a sufficient budget allocation for ongoing workforce development.