Page 77 - GS_Journal_2015

Urdaneta City University

service, and relevant trainings attended within the past two years; knowledge and practices of
the respondents on the Health Programs of the DOH; and proposed activities to improve the
knowledge and practices of the barangay health workers on the public health programs of the
department of health.
The researcher used the descriptive method of research. The respondents of the study
were the barangay health workers in Urdaneta City. A questionnaire was used to gather data
regarding the knowledge and practices of the respondents on the Health Programs of the DOH.
The questionnaire was prepared by the researcher and was validated by the experts.
Based on the data gathered in the study, the researcher came up with the following
findings: as to respondent’s profile, highest frequency of respondents are under the age bracket
of 41 to 50 years old, dominated by females, has a monthly income of Php 5,001 – 10,000, most
of them are high school graduate, has 1-2 years in service, and had attended 1-2 relevant training
within the past 2 years; and the overall weighted mean of the knowledge of the respondents on
the DOH programs is 3.68 while the overall weighted mean of the practice of the respondents
on the DOH programs is 2.89.
Knowledge of the respondents has a descriptive equivalent of “knowledgeable” and
interpreted as complete amount of information. With regards to practice of the respondent has
a descriptive equivalent of “moderately practiced” and interpreted not fully implement the DOH
program. Also, a proposed program was prepared to improve the knowledge and practices of
BHW”s.
The following are the conclusions drawn based on the findings stated in this study: the
barangay health workers are dominated by female adults with monthly family income bracket
of Php.5, 001-1, 0000, completed secondary education, has several years in service, and have
attended 1-2 relevant training within the past 2 years; and the barangay health workers extent
of knowledge on the different programs of DOH is significantly higher than their extent of
practice. This means that the BHW’s know the programs of DOH on maternal and child care,
nutrition, prevention of diseases and information dissemination but they do not fully put into
practice what they know. The proposed program can be implemented to the barangay health
workers.
In view of the findings and conclusions of the study the following are suggested: to
ensure quality assurance on the implementation of DOH programs; a) periodic evaluation of the
performance of the health workers should be made part of the activities of the RHU; b) seminars
should be conducted regarding the overall importance of the public health programs of the
DOH; c) barangay Health Worker should include in their plans on action or project a continuous
information dissemination concerning on the Department of Health Program; d) an educational
course of health education and promotion should be emphasized as a way to reach out to the
community for them to appreciate and able to merge their own health; and e) the proposed
program should be considered to build up and strengthen primary health care services.

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