The extent of utilization of the child health services in main barangay health stations in Roxas City

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to determine the extent of utilization of child health services in main Barangay Health Stations among mothers in Roxas City. It attempted to describe the demographic characteristics of mothers, in terms of age, educational attainment, working status, monthly family income, and number of children. It also determined the respondent’s level of awareness, level of access and extent of utilization of child health services and the relationships between the respondent’s personal characteristics and their level of awareness of child health services, level of access to child health services and extent of utilization of the child health services. It likewise determined whether there is a significant relationship awareness and extent of utilization and between level of access and extent of utilization. This is a descriptive-relational study that employed one-shot survey design. Data were collected through personal interviews with 310 mothers with children 0-6 years old using structured interview schedule. The areas covered were Barangays Banica, Baybay, Lawaan, Punta Tabuc, Lanot and Inzo Arnaldo. Data were analyzed using frequency distribution, percentages, means, Chi-Square, Cramer’s V, and Gamma test. Major Findings of the Study Majority of the mothers were 30 years old or younger, high school educated, non- working, had an average of 3 children, with monthly family income of 5,000 pesos and below. The mothers were very much aware of the child health services available in their Barangay Health Stations like; immunization services, health education on healthy child program, nutrition services, medical services, well baby clinic, and referral system. Despite this high level awareness in general, mothers were least aware of the dental services available in the community. The mothers had high level of access to most of the child health services in Barangay Health Stations, particularly of immunization services, medical services, baby clinic and referral system. However, they had least access to integrated management in childhood illnesses. A large number of mothers had utilized the child health services in Barangay Health Stations including immunization, nutrition, well-baby clinic and referral system. None of the mothers however, had utilized the medical and integrated management on childhood illnesses specifically on management of dengue and ear problem. Among the dental services not utilized was on tooth filling respectively. The low utilization of some services resulted to an overall moderate utilization of the child health services. Mothers personal characteristics such as; age, educational attainment, working status, monthly family income and number of children were not significantly related to their level of awareness, level of access and extent of utilization of the child health services The mother level of awareness of the child health services was significantly related to their level of access, and extent of utilization of these services. Moreover, mother’s level of access to child health services is significantly related to their extent of utilization. Conclusions The study found that non-working mothers were mostly educated. Majority of them were on middle-aged group with few children and belong to the low income families. Most of the child health services were mothers are very much aware are those primary health care services provided in the community. However, among the services, dental services were the least since these services were not offered in the Barangay Health Stations. The more the services are available in Barangay Health Stations the more the mothers are aware of the services. Mothers have high level of access to child health services particularly to primary health care services. Mothers who have gained access to integrated management in childhood illnesses and dental services were those who sought the services. The more the services are available in Barangay Health Stations mothers will be more likely to have access to services. Extent of utilization of mothers for their children was greater mostly to all of the primary health care services. However, mothers had no utilization to management of dengue, ear problem and tooth filling services. Therefore, the more the services are available in the Barangay Health Stations the greater is their extent of utilization. The absence of relationship between the respondent’s personal characteristics, and their level of awareness, access and utilization of child health services indicate that personal characteristics have nothing to do with their awareness, access, and utization. Extent of utilization can be influence by awareness and access. The more aware a mother is, the greater the likelihood that she will have access and utilize the services Recommendations Based on the conclusions derived from the findings of this study, the following recommendations are given: In view of the level of awareness, access and utilization of mothers to child health services, the government should take the initiative to promote awareness by: - Strengthening information dissemination drive about the health programs offered in Barangay Health Stations. - The Barangay health team should be empowered to conduct regular house to house visit or Inter –Barangay health education campaign to actively promote all the health services that must be utilized by mothers. - The Barangay health team should conduct a mother’s class and health teaching. These would provide a better knowledge to mothers how important and beneficial the services extended in the community. Giving of fliers and pamphlets to the community people. The government must ensure availability of health services, by allocating more budgets to make all the services available like; medicines, supplies, and provision of adequate personnel so that they could attend all the health needs of the community people.