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Issue No. 1 ASIA PACIFIC HIGHER EDUCATION RESEARCH JOURNAL 1
(LOI 949). In doing so, the BHWs acquired 2. What is the level of competence of the
the skills which are vital to become effective Barangay Health Workers in the 5th
as well as their professional growth in the Congressional District of Camarines Sur
healthcare services. as perceived by the respondents, along:
a. community organizer
Legarda (2010) mentioned in one b. health educator
of her press releases that, our barangay c. health care service provider
health workers have been our health
information disseminators, the nurturers 3. What are the factors that affect the
of expectant mothers and sick children, and level of competence of Barangay Health
the providers of genuine health care to the Workers in the 5th Congressional
Filipino in the deepest nooks of the country. District of Camarines Sur, along:
However, though considered as one among a. personal
the most dedicated government sector and b. political
still have the toughest jobs, yet, the efforts c. environmental
extended are not acknowledged. The work
of a barangay health worker is vital to the 4. Is there a signi icant relationship
nations health care services sector. between the pro ile and the level of
competence of Barangay Health Workers
Barangay health workers have the in the 5th Congressional District of
passion to work, which in a way inspires Camarines Sur.
and motivates people to perform activities
towards healthy living. They must be able 5. Is there a signi icant difference on the
to cater to the needs of their constituents level of competence of the Barangay
by providing them with quality health Health Workers in the 5th Congressional
care services, with the view of facilitating District of Camarines Sur as perceived
the attainment of the constituents of the by the three groups of respondents.
desired outcomes. This however, can only
be possible if these barangay health workers 6. What training kit can be proposed to
have competence and commitment in their enhance the level of competence of
functions, because they are the implementers Barangay Health Workers in the 5th
of the community-based health programs in Congressional District of Camarines Sur?
the grassroots level.
Methods
Purpose of the Research
This study aimed to determine the
The study aimed to determine the level of competence of Barangay Health
level of competence of Barangay Health Workers in the 5th Congressional District
Workers in the 5th Congressional District of of Camarines Sur. The level of competence
Camarines Sur. Speci ically, it answered the revolved around their three-fold function
following questions: as community organizer, health educator
and as health care provider; and the factors
1. What is the pro ile of the Barangay that affect their level of competence in terms
Health Workers, in terms of: of , personal, political and environmental
a. age factors.
b. sex
c. civil status Research Design
d. educational attainment
e. employment status The researcher used the descriptive-
f. length of experience correlational method in the conduct of this
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Issue No. 1 ASIA PACIFIC HIGHER EDUCATION RESEARCH JOURNAL 3
was used to determined relationship Table 2
with more than two groups/variables, in Proile of the Barangay Health Workers
this study it determined the relationship
Proile Frequency %
between the profile (age, civil status,
educational attainment, employment Age
status, and the length of experience) and 20 24 y/o 8 3.81
the level of competence of BHW; while, 25 29 y/o 13 6.19
Kruskal Wallis Test was used to compare 30 34 y/o 21 10.00
three or more independent groups, in this
35 39 y/o 37 17.62
study this was used to test the significant
40 44 y/o 32 15.24
difference of the responses made by the
three groups of respondents on the level of 45 and above 99 47.14
competence of BHW. Sex
Male 4 1.90
Female 206 98.10
Results and Discussion
Civil Status
Single 18 8.57
Proile of the Respondents
Married 162 77.14
The pro ile of the barangay health Widow/er 28 13.33
workers included age, sex, civil status, Separated 2 0.95
educational attainment; employment status Educational attainment
and length of experience which is believed
Elementary graduate 27 12.86
to have affected the competence and
HS undergraduate 40 19.05
commitment in the delivery of health care
services to the program bene iciaries (see HS graduate 81 38.57
Table 2). College undergraduate 41 19.52
College graduate 21 10.00
Most respondents were aged of 45 Employment Status
years old and above with 99 (47.14 %);
Employed 83 39.52
were females with 206 (98.10%); married
Unemployed 89 42.38
with 162 (77.14%); high school graduates,
81 (38.57%); unemployed, 89 (42.38%); Self-employed 38 18.10
and young in the service with 1-3 years of Length of Experience
experience. 1 3 years 68 32.38
4 6 years 33 15.71
Findings indicate that mature women
7 9 years 24 11.43
prefer to be BHWs which is suited for the
10 12 years 18 8.57
position. Mature women are therapeutic
and can handle situations with utmost care 13 15 years 13 6.20
and con idence as stated by Hora (2017) in 16 and above 54 25.71
an article on the traits of mature women.
Likewise, females are more pathetic and Total Number of BHWs 210 100 %
compassionate in handling patients. Much
more, majority of the BHWs have their own
families which can be considered as an edge However, since most of the BHWs are
over others having acquired the experience high schools graduates, trainings are needed
in handling learning situations in life. to equip them with both skills and knowledge
on decision-making to be effective and
ef icient in their job. With such educational
background, most of them are unemployed
9. respect the peoples tradition and ideas, 3.87 C 2 3.64 C 3.5 3.85 C 4
including their health habits & practices
10. management practices of minimizing cost 3.53 C 10 3.58 C 8.5 3.72 C 10
expenditure in medical supplies, materials
& equipment while delivering health care
services
Average Weighted Mean 3.77 C 3.65 C 3.84 C
Legend: 1.00 1.49 Not Competent (NC) 3.50 4.49 Competent (C)
1.50 2.49 Slightly Competent (SC) 4.50 5.00 Highly Competent (HC)
2.50 3.49 Moderately Competent (MC)
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Table 4
Level of Competence of the BHW as Health Educator
Legend: 1.00 1.49 Not Competent (NC) 3.50 4.49 Competent (C)
1.50 2.49 Slightly Competent (SC) 4.50 5.00 Highly Competent (HC)
2.50 3.49 Moderately Competent (MC)
barangay folks and the BHWs. This inding BHW as a health educator. The BHW
af irms the study of Adedokun, et. al. (2010) were rated as health educator by the
where communication is treated as a key BHW, (themselves), the clients, and the
component of sustainable development. supervisors with average weighted mean of
Mobilizing community members for 3.72, 3.55, and 3.79, respectively (see Table
community development purpose is 4) interpreted as Competent. The results of
important but members of the community the survey indicate that conducting health
can only be mobilized when communication education and teachings to the community is
is effective. Barangay support increases a great responsibility of the BHW. Thus, they
BHW ef iciency and motivation. Recognition must be well-equipped with knowledge, and
from barangay of icials and other members skills for them to be able to discuss topics
of the health team leads to enhance based on the needs of the client, and impart
recognition form the community leading to the right information to the community. This
a greater BHW motivation and self-esteem. is in congruence to the study of Legacion
Coordination and communication can lead et.al. (2012) which states that barangay
to better quality of care. health workers render essential primary
Legend: 1.00 1.49 Not Competent (NC) 3.50 4.49 Competent (C)
1.50 2.49 Slightly Competent (SC) 4.50 5.00 Highly Competent (HC)
2.50 3.49 Moderately Competent (MC)
health care services in the community, such as af irmed by Legarda (2013) in one of her
as educating the people on prevailing health press releases which stated that our barangay
problems, the methods of preventing and health workers have been our health
controlling them; including the provision information disseminators, the nurturers
and proper use of essential drugs and herbal of expectant mothers and sick children, and
medicines. the providers of genuine health care to the
Filipino in the deepest nooks of the country.
BHW as a health care service provider. Likewise, the study of Giuglian, et al (2014)
The BHWs were rated as health care service supports the work of the BHWs as mentioned
provider by the BHW (themselves), the in his study that at the moment the BHWs
clients, and the supervisors with average worked as community health workers, cases
weighted mean were 3.77, 3.53, and 3.82 decreased dramatically which was attributed
, respectively (see Table 5) interpreted as to the distribution of hypochlorite house-to-
competent. The presence of BHWs in the house and in the support to families with
community had shown signi icant results regard to hygiene, sanitation, guidance even
in the health condition of their constituents for simple hand washing, in detecting cases
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Issue No. 1 ASIA PACIFIC HIGHER EDUCATION RESEARCH JOURNAL 7
Table 6
Personal Factors Affecting the Level of Competence of BHW
Legend: 1.00 1.49 Does Not Affect (DNA) 3.50 4.49 Affect (A)
1.50 2.49 Slightly Affect (SA) 4.50 5.00 Greatly Affect (GA)
2.50 3.49 Moderately Affect (MA)
WM Weighted Mean ; R Rank ; I Interpretation
quickly in order to get to health facilities as BHWs become competent, ef icient and
early as possible, rehydration of patients at effective. There is the need to hone their
the local level, at the level of peoples homes. knowledge and skills by undergoing
trainings and seminars. This result af irms
Factors affecting the Level of Competence the study of Quitevis (2011) which stated
of Barangay Health Workers. that BHWs should be given more trainings
on teaching and providing basic health care
Personal Factors. Based on the data, services to be better prepared and equipped
BHWs ranked need for trainings and in performing their roles as health educator
seminars with a weighted mean of 4.19 as and health care service provider. Also, these
number 1; next in rank, formal education training programs boasted the morale
related to current work (4.09); followed of the BHWs and ultimately gave them
by, self con idence in health care services self-con idence. More so, these training
delivery(4.06); and, fourth in rank, personal programs helped the BHWs attain personal
beliefs/ attitude/interest/practices towards and professional growth.
work are different from the client (4.03).
Meanwhile honorarium is compensating Political Factors. Based from the data, the
(3.89) was ranked last. BHWs evaluated themselves on the political
factors affecting their level of competence
The need for trainings and seminar was as affect in all the indicators stated, with an
found to be a signi icant factor that affects average weighted mean of 4.07 and a verbal
the level of competence of the barangay interpretation of affect First in rank is
health workers since training programs the indicator, duties & responsibilities are
elevate the competence in the performance well de ined with a weighted mean of 4.20;
of their duties and functions hence, the followed by, honorarium is received/paid
Legend: 1.00 1.49 Does Not Affect (DNA) 3.50 4.49 Affect (A)
1.50 2.49 Slightly Affect (SA) 4.50 5.00 Greatly Affect (GA)
2.50 3.49 Moderately Affect (MA)
WM Weighted Mean ; R Rank ; I Interpretation
on time (4.14) ranked 2; while harmonious utilization of records & reports (3.87); last
relationship with barangay of icials (4.12), in rank, relationship with superiors and
and fund allocation of the barangay of icials peers (3.76) (see Table 8) .
to trainings & seminars of BHW was ranked
3rd and 4th, respectively. Results showed that in the prevention
of illnesses and promotion of wellness,
The duties and responsibilities of active participation of the community is
the BHWs are clearly de ined and stated needed. These BHWs often serve as added
in Section 11 of the Senate Bill No. 2219, workforce serving extension work, such as
thus BHWs perform their duties and inviting community people to attend health
responsibilities independently as stated, and educational activities; and do household
assistive to the Barangay Health Team for and family surveys to gather current
other functions. In support to the indings, information and data about the residents of
Giugliani (2014) expressed that even though the community that may serve as baseline
how small the incentive are, for as long as data in preparing guidelines and proposals.
it is given and paid on time, people will be Maintaining harmonious relationship with
encouraged to work. community leaders and professional health
workers is a critical element to the success
Environmental Factors. Based on the of any community involvement (Iturralde,
data, ranked as number 1,active participation 2010).
of the community in promotion of health and
prevention of illnesses having a weighted
mean of 3.88; ranked 2, appropriate care/
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Issue No. 1 ASIA PACIFIC HIGHER EDUCATION RESEARCH JOURNAL 9
Table 8
Environmental Factors Affecting the Level of Competence of BHW
Legend: 1.00 1.49 Does Not Affect (DNA) 3.50 4.49 Affect (A)
1.50 2.49 Slightly Affect (SA) 4.50 5.00 Greatly Affect (GA)
2.50 3.49 Moderately Affect (MA)
WM Weighted Mean ; R Rank ; I Interpretation
Table 9
Relationship between the proile and the level of competence of Barangay Health Workers as Community
Organizer, Health Educator, and Health Care Service Provider.
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Issue No. 1 ASIA PACIFIC HIGHER EDUCATION RESEARCH JOURNAL 11
negated the results of the study on the length illnesses; dispensing drugs; giving pre- and
of service wherein the former found out that post natal advice; delivering babies; giving
length of service among other variables child care advice; nutrition education;
in the pro ile do not in luence the level of monitoring and feeding; immunization
competence. The latter study concluded that education, monitoring, and dispensing;
public health providers are competent along family planning services; sanitation
leadership and management depending on and hygiene promotion and education;
the length of service. communicable disease screening monitoring
follow-up and medication provision;
Difference on the level of competence of assisting in health center activities; making
Barangay Health Workers as perceived health care referrals; performing school
by the three groups of respondents. health activities; collecting vital statistics;
maintaining records, making reports;
Results showed that all of the indicators performing home visits ; and participating
as, community organizer, health educator, in community meetings (www.imva.org/
and health care service provider have a pages/chws.htm.)
verbal interpretation of not signi icant, since
the computed value is higher as compared to Self-Learning Kit for Barangay Health
the tabular value at 0.05 level of signi icance, Workers Level of Competence
thus, accepting the null hypothesis. Where,
the computed value for community organizer The results of the study indicated that
is 6.25, health educator is 7.03, and health the barangay health workers were found
care service provider is 16.41; all against the to be competent but weak points were also
tabular value of 5.99 (see Table 10). identi ied in their level of competence, such
as being a health educator. Due to lack of
Table 10 proper training as Barangay Health Worker,
Difference on the level of competence of the BHW there is a need for training and re-training
as perceived by the respondents. relevant to health topics such as Maternal
and Child Health Care; Nutrition; Personal
INDICATORS COMPUTED TABULAR
VALUE VALUE AT Hygiene, Communicable Diseases; Non-
.05 Communicable Diseases; Environmental
Community 6.25 5.99 Sanitation; Herbal Medicines; First Aid;
organizer Vital Signs; Promoting Hygiene and
Health educator 7.03 5.99 Comfort; Community Organization, and
Health care 6.41 5.99
Communication in Community Development.
service provider However, with the self-learning kit, the BHWs
can enhance their knowledge and skills on
The perceptions of the clients, the the different medical needs of the community
supervisors, and the BHWs themselves as folks. Thus, the delivery of quality health care
community organizer, health educator, and services to the community can be ensured.
health care provider did not differ. These
imply that the respondents have similar
perceptions on the level of competence of
the BHWs in their roles in the community
as health advocates. Accordingly, the
Community Health Workers (CHW) as the
BHWs themselves are health advocates who
provide services such as irst aid; surgery
assistance; operating room technician and
equipment sterilization; treatment for minor
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Issue No. 1 ASIA PACIFIC HIGHER EDUCATION RESEARCH JOURNAL 13
competent in their knowledge and skills References
especially as community organizer, health
educator and health care service provider; Adedokun, M., Adeyemo, C.W., &
harmonious working relations with co- Oluwafunmilola Olorunsola,
workers, supervisors, barangay of icials E. (2010). The Impact of
and the clientele may be established for Communication on Community
work to be effective; continuous attendance Development Department of
to seminars, trainings and re-trainings is Educational Foundations and
highly encouraged; to conduct self-work Management, Faculty of Education.
assessment; and BHWs use the BHW Institute of Education, University
intervention bundle as a guide and reference of Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. Retrieved
in the delivery of health care services. from: www.krepublishers.com/02-
Selection of BHW must be well de ined to Journals/JC.
ensure effectiveness of service; give awards,
recognition, incentives, appreciation or Alfaro, Ma. Cristina R. (2008). The training
acknowledgement for good performance; program for barangay health
propose policies and barangay ordinances workers on the diagnosis and
for the welfare and bene it of the BHWs; management of diarrheal disease in
consider the BHWs as among their priority children: An interventional research
in appropriating budgetary allocation. May project. http://som.adzu.edu.ph/
treat BHWs as an indispensable member of research/abstract.php?id=558.
the health team; appreciate the role of the
BHWs as members of their team; regular Arlington, P., Virginia, L. (November 2011).
performance evaluation of BHW; and Newborn health in the Philippines.
provide BHWs the opportunity to learn new Published by the Basic Support for
knowledge and skills through orientation Institutionalizing Child Survival
and trainings about the different programs for the United States Agency for
of the Department of Health. Bene its and International Development.
bonuses due them, may be given to them; Wilson Boulevard 22209. http://
the full implementation of R.A. 7883, known en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barangay
as An Act Granting Bene its and Incentives Health Volunteers. Accessed April
to Accredited Barangay Health Workers and 13, 2015.
for Other Purpose; accreditation of BHW be
considered to ensure the quality of health Burns, R.W. (2012). Five stages of
services that these BHW will provide to the acquiring expertise - novice to
barangay; monitor the strict compliance expert. Retrieved from http://
to the provisions of R.A. 7883, known as w w w. r e b e c c a w e s t b u r n s .
An Act Granting Bene its and Incentives to com/index.php?option=com_
Accredited Barangay Health Workers and for k2&view=item&id=57: ive-stages-
Other Purpose, speci ically on the bene its, of-acquiring-expertise-novice-to
privileges and incentives of the BHWs. The expert& Item.
Barangay Health Workers, just like any
other employee needs also some form of Community Health Workers. Retrieved May
motivation to enhance their work output and 18, 2015 at www.imva.org/pages/
job performance; and to conduct research chws.htm.
studies on other topics related to BHWs may
be undertaken. This research may be cited Fortaleza, S.V. (1998). The job satisfaction
as a related study in the conduct of similar of faculty in selected polytechnic,
studies. Research studies on other topics institution in Metro Manila. Thesis,
related to BHWs may be undertaken. Technological University of the
Philippines.
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Issue No. 1 ASIA PACIFIC HIGHER EDUCATION RESEARCH JOURNAL 15