“When we use people-centered approach in our programs and initiatives, we show people that they are important, that they are the lifeblood of everything that we do. We show them that we are here, all partners in the health research community, to produce meaningful solutions to improve their lives” read Dr. Amelia P. Guevarra,, DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development, the supposed speech of Secretary Mario G. Montejo on the opening ceremonies of the 7th Philippine National Health Research Systems Week at Plaza del Norte, Ilocos Norte, August 7-9.

This year’s celebration was themed “People at the Center of Health and Health Research”thus the relation of what Sec. Montejo said in his speech on becoming people centered. He further elaborated that the people-centered approach focused on “listening to people, respecting them, allowing them to make informed decisions, and involving them in crafting realistic and meaningful policies and actions”. Sec. Montejo stressed that the country is assured with better and more efficient health care delivery and services and also prompt and appropriate response to Filipinos needs. It was also mentioned that the Philippines will be hosting the Global Forum for Health Research in 2015.

According to Dr. Ma. Lourdes K. Otayza, Region 1 Health Research and Development Consortium chair, the said celebration was aimed for the different stakeholders in health to interact, share information, voice concerns, and contribute research-based solutions to health problems.

The three-day event featured activities on Indigenous People’s Health, National Peer Review and health system shapers seminars, plenary sessions, Consortia staff meeting, research paper oral and poster exhibit competition for student and professional categories and fellowship night. The delegates were a blend of employees, teachers, students, and key officials from various health and research institutions belonging to the different regions in the Philippines.

Researchers, using data from the results of the Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey, discovered that breastfeeding is effective in lowering the risk of diarrhea in infants even if environmental sanitation is compromised.

During her study presentation, Dr. Nanette Lee-Mayol, Research Associate at the University of San Carlos (USC), shared, “We know that breastfeeding is protective of infants against infectious disease, especially diarrhea. In this study, we see the relationship of exclusive breastfeeding and sanitation with decrease or increase in the probability of getting diarrhea.”

Covering 2,355 infants less than six months of age, the study gathered information on breastfeeding practices in 17 communities in Cebu in a span of one year. On their second month after birth, 19% of the infants were completely weaned from breastfeeding, 38% were mixed-fed, and 20% received nonnutritive liquid substitutes in addition to breast milk. Researchers then compared the effects of full breastfeeding, mixed feeding and weaning on the chances of infants to acquire diarrheal disease at different levels of sanitation.

Study confirmed that breastfeeding provides protection to infants against diarrheal infection. It was also revealed that regardless of the sanitary conditions of the environment, breastfeeding was consistent in providing protection against diarrhea in children. Upon comparison of fully breastfed and mixed-fed infants, scientists observed that fully breastfed infants had lower risks of contracting diarrheal infections. Dr. Mayol explained that mixed fed infants are twice as likely to get diarrhea as exclusively breastfed babies because other food substances, such as water or tea, may have diarrhea-inducing pathogens. On the other hand, children who were completely weaned from breastfeeding showed the least protection from diarrheal infection in all levels of environmental sanitations.

 In order to protect children from diarrhea, Dr. Mayol advised mothers to stick to exclusive breastfeeding. She said, “I always push for exclusive breastfeeding. Especially, for infants living in environment with poor sanitation, exclusive breastfeeding is the best protection you can provide.”

The intensive demands of parenting require huge adjustments from both parents. However, the study, Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey, suggests that men undergo extra adjustment to cope better with child rearing. Encompassing three generations of participants in Cebu from the 1980’s up to the present, the survey collected data on various aspects of human health and nutrition including, reproductive health and sexuality.

During the presentation of the results of the study at the Department of Health (DOH) 13th National Health Forum for Action, Dr. Nanette Lee-Mayol, Research Associate at the University of San Carlos (USC) - Cebu City, shared that the level of testosterone in men is affected by courtship, marriage and subsequent fatherhood.

Researchers measured morning and evening salivary testosterone level of the 624 single, adult male participants. Baseline data were first collected in 2005. The test was repeated after four years in 2009 when some of the participants were already married. Study showed that levels of morning and evening salivary testosterone of men who became fathers declined by 26% and 34%, respectively, whereas single non-fathers only experienced a decrease of 12% and 14% in their respective morning and evening testosterone level. Researchers also discovered that the men who spend most time with their kids are likelier to get lower testosterone levels than the others. These fathers whose youngest child was less than a month old experienced the most drastic decline in testosterone levels. Dr. Mayol revealed, “The more involved you are in taking care of the children, especially the very young ones, the lower your testosterone.”

Though there were researches made on primates showing similar results, no other paper has been published yet that links child rearing with decline in testosterone in human males until the Cebu longitudinal study. The study was the first to conclusively connect child rearing to lowered testosterone levels in men.

While traditionally, child rearing has always been designated solely as a woman’s responsibility, the study proves otherwise. The researchers explained that while high testosterone ensures mating success in men, the steep decline in testosterone level showed that men are innately wired to actively help in the child rearing.  Dr. Mayol stressed, “Testosterone is often high during mating periods but then declines to allow for caregiving of the resulting children.”

With certain genetic type involved in heart disease in Filipinos, you can get some idea of which molecular targets should be good for the development of new drugs,” said Ms. Ma. Luisa Daroy, Scientist I, Research and Biotechnology Division of the St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC) during the Metro Manila Health Research and Development Consortium (MMHRDC) Research Forum for World Heart Day last October 10, 2012 at the Adamson University.

The genetic uniqueness of each individual is reflected in the different signs of heart disease in a patient. Knowing one’s genetic profile provides deep insight into the biological dynamics of heart disease which can guide the doctors in managing their patients.

"In a disease-focused research, the key component is a combination of medical informatics, systematized specimen archiving, and genetic profiling,” explained Dr. Daroy.

To determine the genetic profile of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients observed at the Heart Institute in SLMC, the Genomics and Cardiovascular Medicine Initiative (GCMI) of SLMC embarked on a long-term program of research that covers Cardiovascular Disease Information System (CVDIS), GCMI Biobank and CVD Genomics Research.

"We integrated this to facilitate our genetic variation profiling where genomics work in response to the lack of genetic data on Filipinos in the web. If we look at the genetic data on the internet, you will see that it is really voluminous and there are very large scale efforts to document the genetic variations in different population. But sadly for Filipinos, it is very sparse,” reported Ms. Daroy.

To address the situation, the SLMC created the first component of this integrated approach which is the CVDIS. This involves the electronic archiving of patient information, clinical symptoms, laboratory results, treatment regimes and clinical outcomes. This informatics accompanies the systematic collection of blood samples from patients who were examined at SLMC for coronary artery disease (CAD).

According to Ms. Daroy, researchers isolated serum, plasma and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from the blood samples of patients. Specimen quality is assessed periodically to ensure its usefulness for research.

“Our patients were required to sign informed consent prior to enrolment in the GCMI Biobank. We have several review process. All patients were made to understand that they can withdraw their samples from the Biobank at any time,” clarified Ms. Daroy.

Patient DNA is then analyzed for genetic variations, specifically single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), in several genes that have been previously reported to be associated with CAD. Allele and genotype frequencies are calculated and usefulness of a SNP as risk factor for CAD is assessed statistically. Researchers used TaqMan Genotyping System which is a faster, cheaper and more efficient way of doing the genotyping.

Ms. Daroy said, “This is an initial report on the first genomics data generated on Filipinos with CAD. This patient-centered strategy for research produces a wealth of information that enriches evidence-based medicine with previously unforeseen options for health promotion, preventive care, risk reduction and appropriate cure.”