Ofelia Saniel

• BS Hygiene, MPH, PhD (Epidemiology)
• Professor Emeritus at University of the Philippines – College of Public Health

Building fair, equitable, and beneficial partnerships between institutions collaborating in research in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) and high-income countries (HIC) has become an integral part of research capacity building in global health in recent years. In this paper, we offer an example of an academic collaboration between the Univer...

Background: Treatment adherence is a vital aspect in the management of chronic diseases like leprosy; however, most studies on treatment adherence focus on patients. This study aims to examine the perceptions of healthcare providers on factors that can promote or prevent patients from adhering to treatment. Methods: We conducted three focus grou...

Background and Objective The focusing of resources to COVID-19 response hampered and disadvantaged primary care services including that for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), compromising continuity of care and hence, patients’ disease status. However, studies from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) remain sparse; therefore, evidence generatio...

Background The prevalence of early initiation of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) at 6 months remain low in the Philippines. To help meet the 90% early initiation of breastfeeding target and to improve infant and young child feeding practices in the Philippines, the Millennium Development Goals - Fund 2030 Joint Programme (JP) on Ens...

Background Poor treatment adherence among leprosy patients contribute to relapse, development of antimicrobial resistance, and the eventual plateauing of the prevalence and incidence of leprosy not just in the Philippines, but also worldwide. For this reason, we aimed to identify the patterns and determinants affecting treatment completion and defa...

Background: Early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF), defined as initiation of breastfeeding within one hour after giving birth, is one of the recommended optimal breastfeeding practices. We aimed to determine whether being visited by a peer counselor during pregnancy and if mother’s membership in a breastfeeding support group are associated with E...

Background: The prevalence of early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF)and exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) remain low in the Philippines. To help meet the 90% EIBF target and to improve infant and young child feeding practices in the Philippines, the Millennium Development Goals - Fund 2030 Joint Programme (JP) on Ensuring Food Security and Nutrition...

Background. New findings on the detrimental health effects of electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS)/ electronic non-nicotine delivery system (ENNDS) confounds the "harm reduction" perspective of using it as an alternative to conventional cigarettes. In the Philippines, The pressing debate on its safety and efficacy had initiated actions from p...

Introduction: This paper documents the variations in the diagnosis and management of multibacillary leprosy patients in three of the biggest case-holding hospitals in Metro Manila. Furthermore, we aimed to discuss the implications of these variations on the country's leprosy control and elimination program. Methods: Focus group discussions (FGD)...

Background: In order to increase the efficient allocation of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) disease control resources in the Philippines, we aimed to describe for the first time the spatial variation in the prevalence of A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura and hookworm across the country, quantify the association between the physical environment and sp...

Background A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in four barangays in Pasay City in NCR, Philippines. These barangays have been severely affected by the simultaneous occurrence of Typhoon Maring and a southwest monsoon in August 2013. Objectives The study described how to measure the level of disaster preparedness of communities. Meth...

Background This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in four urban barangays in the Maricaban-Malibay areas of Pasay City in NCR, Philippines. The residents of the study barangays were in their rehabilitation phase¹ (i.e., three months post the simultaneous occurrence of Typhoon Maring and the Habagat) when the data collection was done....

Schistosoma japonicum infection is believed to be endemic in 28 of the 80 provinces of The Philippines and the most recent data on schistosomiasis prevalence have shown considerable variability between provinces. In order to increase the efficient allocation of parasitic disease control resources in the country, we aimed to describe the small-scale...

The prevalence of stunting, underweight, and micronutrient deficiencies are persistently high in young children in the Philippines, and among other factors, suboptimal infant and young child feeding behavior may contribute to these forms of malnutrition. To improve the understanding of contributors associated with the nutritional status of children...

Schistosomiasis affects 28 provinces in the Philippines found along the southeastern part where there is continuous rainfall throughout the year. In 2002 and 2005 respectively, two new endemic foci were reported in the northernmost (Gonzaga, Cagayan) and central (Calatrava, Negros Occidental) parts of the country. This study conducted in March 2008...

Background. The prevalence of stunting, underweight, and micronutrient deficiencies are persistently high in young children in the Philippines, and among other factors, suboptimal infant and young child feeding behavior may contribute to these forms of malnutrition.Objective. To improve the understanding of contributors associated with the nutritio...

For the first time in the country, a national baseline prevalence survey using a well-defined sampling design such as a stratified two-step systematic cluster sampling was conducted in 2005 to 2008. The purpose of the survey was to stratify the provinces according to prevalence of schistosomiasis such as high, moderate, and low prevalence which in...

This study describes the HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitudes, and related practices among male Filipino seafarers assigned to non-passenger vessels. It also identifies some factors associated with the seafarers' practice of having multiple sex partners. An analytical cross-sectional study design, utilizing a standard interview schedule administered to 50...

The first two phases of a national prevalence survey of schistosomiasis in The Philippines were completed in Mindanao in 2005 and the Visayas in the first quarter of 2007. The design was a stratified two-step systematic cluster sampling, with two Kato-Katz thick smears examined from each participant. In Mindanao, a total of 22 provinces spread in s...

A case control study was conducted among 671 females in Brebes Regency, Central Java, Indonesia in 1999 to characterize the nature and the strength association between pesticide exposure and spontaneous abortion. Results of the study revealed that women who were involved in agricultural work during the 17-month period of interest were 1.6 times (9...