Research

As the national university, we champion and support innovative research that addresses the country’s most pressing challenges.

23 Sep 2025

Economic reasons are a significant factor why microentrepreneurs remain in flood-prone areas

The number of establishments (89% of the total establishments in the Philippines) and people employed by micro enterprises makes it...

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04 Sep 2025

What does queerness mean to a young Filipino student in another Southeast Asian country? A novel’s chapter explores it.

In the chapter “New Boy”, Pau, a Filipino exchange student from Tagum City, attends classes in photography and Thai arts...

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03 Sep 2025

In the Philippines, we share a long-standing connection with pigs both archaeologically and culturally

Pigs play a very significant role in our society. They are not only seen as a food source but also...

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02 Sep 2025

Media representations of the minority groups of Moros and Chinese served colonial goals

Nation-building remains an important post-colonial project in the Philippines, as evidenced by the continued relevance of the mandatory Rizal courses,...

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29 Aug 2025

Smoking is a core part of the identity and community life of agricultural workers

Smoking is considered a serious health threat, particularly in the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Several studies...

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28 Aug 2025

PH reproductive health law needs to better address contraceptive access for lower-income women

The implementation of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law represents a major policy shift aimed at increasing access to...

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27 Aug 2025

Despite centuries of stigma, babywearing survives as a marginalized practice turned into a trend

For centuries, Indigenous communities in the Philippines and around the world have used baby carriers and slings to help them...

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13 Aug 2025

Food safety risk assessment will help the Philippines manage shellfish-related hepatitis A virus health risks

This study gathered information to establish baseline data on the potential risks of the hepatitis A virus (HAV) in the...

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08 Jul 2025

UP Manila

Deep learning with convolutional neural networks to assess rice plant diseases performs very well

As with many Asian countries, rice is a principal food in the Philippines providing nearly half of the daily caloric...

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07 Jul 2025

Nurse-led eHealth cardiac rehabilitation helps patients transition to home life

This research looks at how people with coronary heart disease (CHD) view a nurse-led eHealth cardiac rehabilitation (NeCR) program. The...

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04 Jul 2025

Food safety risk assessment is a practical and effective way to evaluate the safety of locally consumed shellfish

This study gathered information to establish baseline information on the potential risks of the Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) in the...

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01 Jul 2025

Regional unity in ASEAN can grow through shared values like religiosity, humanitarianism and cultural expression

This paper explores how ASEAN identity among Southeast Asia countries can be realized by applying the concepts of “shared cultural...

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Research

The study “Exploring the Availability and Accessibility of Menstrual Friendly Public Toilets (MFPTs) in Urban Spaces” examines public toilet facilities in six global cities, including the city of Manila, to determine how well they meet the needs of women who menstruate. The research assessed factors such as accessibility, safety, cleanliness, and the availability of menstrual hygiene products. Key findings reveal that most public toilets lack essential features like menstrual product disposal bins and free menstrual products. Toilets in business and tourist areas were generally more “menstrual friendly” than those in residential neighborhoods. Manila’s public toilets scored relatively well on cleanliness but performed inadequately in providing resources for menstrual hygiene management. The study highlights the need for urban planners and policymakers to prioritize creating accessible, safe, and well-equipped public toilets to support the menstrual health and dignity of users.

This research is significant as it sheds light on a critical yet often overlooked aspect of public health and urban planning—menstrual hygiene management in public spaces. The study introduces the concept of MFPTs, providing a framework for assessing and improving the accessibility, safety, and functionality of public sanitation facilities.

The study offers insights for addressing gender inequality in urban sanitation. It identifies gaps in resources and infrastructure, such as the absence of disposal mechanisms and menstrual products in public toilets, which are crucial for enhancing comfort and dignity for menstruating individuals. By emphasizing the link between menstrual hygiene and public participation, this research can guide policymakers, urban planners, and health advocates in creating more inclusive and equitable urban environments.

Authors:

Angela-Maithy Nguyen (Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University)

Andrew R. Maroko (Institute for Health Equity Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai)

Sarah Blake (Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University)

Elli Sugita (Graduate School of Human Sciences, Osaka University)

Natália Helou Fazzioni (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Philosophy and Social Science Institute, Largo São Francisco de Paula)

Marian Fe Theresa C. Lomboy (College of Public Health, University of the Philippines)

Justine Bukenya (School of Public Health, Makerere University)

Helen V.S. Cole (Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, Autonomous University of Barcelona)

Ernesto R. Gregorio Jr. (College of Public Health, University of the Philippines)

Kim J. Hopper (Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University)

Marni Sommer (Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University)

Read the full paper: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1353829225000012?via%3Dihub

Photo: Anna Tarazevich from Pexels