Sagip COUGHamilya: Improving prevention, and case management & care seeking in Sitio Durog, Barangay Palaca, Miagao

Abstract

According to the 2018 Morbidity Diseases Reports of Miag-ao’s Rural Health Unit (RHU), Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) is the main cause of morbidity among the children in the municipality. Upon further review, the community that was found to have the greatest number of ARI cases is that of Barangay Palaca. To contribute with the reduction of ARI cases in the said community, Project Sagip COUGHamilya was implemented in Sitio Durog. This project aims to reduce the number of current ARI cases among children aging 2 months to 11 years old by at least 50% after the 6-week project implementation. In order to accomplish such goal, the team utilized strategic components such as: (1) establishment of a core group called FamiLEADERS, (2) honing the ARI case management knowledge and skills of the barangay health workers (BHWs) through FamiLINANG sessions for BHWs, (3) improving the mothers’ & guardians’ knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) towards care seeking and case management for ARI through FamiLINANG sessions for mothers, and (4) raising the children’s awareness on cough etiquette, proper handwashing, and other key health practices through LINIStorya sessions. Upon implementation, the project’s outputs include the 80% increase in the ARI case management knowledge and skills of BHWs, 44.47% increase in the KAP of the mothers & guardians towards care seeking and case management for ARI, and 12.5% increase in the children’s awareness towards cough etiquette, proper handwashing, and other key health practices. All these results were statistically found to be significant improvements. In conclusion, the strategies done by the group significantly improved the care seeking, case management, and key health practices for ARI in Sitio Durog, Barangay Palaca. As a result, Projesct Sagip COUGHamilya contributed to the reduction of ARI cases by 80%, far exceeding the goal of the project and deeming it to be very effective and successful.