Chapter I

The Problem and Its Background

This chapter contains the background, theoretical and conceptual framework,

statement of the problem, significance, and scope and delimitations of the study about the

effectiveness of aratiles ointment as cure for fungal skin infections.

Background of the Study

Childhood memories are the best, especially the moments with friends during

summertime. Playing outdoor games at the morning and chilling under the shade of trees

at noontime. Who would ever forget the sweetness of the reddish cherry-like fruit known

as aratiles, harvested from the fast-growing tree scientifically known as Muntingia

calabura. It has been a part of many Filipino childhoods as kids pick it from the tree and

could be instantly eaten. According to Barral (2012) it can grow like mushrooms at

underdeveloped areas of the metropolis which is why it is well-known to children.

In the Philippines, it has other local names such as datiles in Bicolano and

manzanitas and cereza in Ilocano. It is ubiquitous in tropical countries and regions such

as Central America and Southeast Asia though Barral (2012) stated that the tree

originated from Tropical America and was introduced at the country during the Spanish

era. Muntingia is often cultivated and used locally in the Neotropics as a provider of

edible fruits and useful bar fibers (Frisby, 2014).

Aratiles also consists a bunch of beneficiary properties. As stated by Haider

(2015), the fruit contains many powerful antibacterial compounds, making it a new
source of antibacterial agents. The leaves of this fruit can be a great treatment for

swelling and for treating inflammation and contains plenty of vitamins and minerals (Hai,

2017). It is a potential antifungal that can cure fungal wound infections as well.

A high risk of fungal wound infections occur when wounds or any parts of skin is

contaminated by water, soil, or debris caused by the natural disaster (Benedict and Park,

2014). Most of the medications treated to fungi infections can result to severe blistering,

swelling, redness, oozing, severe burning, itching or other irritation (Multum, 2019).

Meanwhile, some of the medications treated fungal infections immediately, but not to a

diabetic person. A person with diabetes has the higher risk of developing fungal

infection, and to treat this fungus into a diabetic person is more difficult (Wexler, 2019).

The researchers’ aim in conducting this study is to create a product that could

remedy skin diseases like athlete’s foot, bacterial infections, eczema, etc. An aratiles

ointment could help people who reside at places which is prone to flooding as flood water

could be contaminated with bacteria and infectious contaminants, repeated skin exposure

can lead to fungal skin infections. Also this study aims to determine other fungal

infections that an aratiles ointment would be able to cure. In addition, it contains

antidiabetic properties thus it can treat diabetic wound.

References:

Barral L. D. (2012). Aratilis: A slice of Sweet and Childhood memories. Retrieved from

https://www.bar.gov.ph/index.php/digest-home/digest-archives/368-2012-4thquarter /49

37-octdec2012-aratilis
Benedict K. & Park B. (2014). Invasive Fungal Infections After Natural Disasters.

Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3944874/

Frisby, S. (2014). Neotropical Muntingiaceae. Retrieved from https://www.kew.org

/science /tropamerica/neotropikey/families/Muntingiaceae.htm

Hai, H. D. (2017). Muntingia calabura: Jamaica cherry. Retrieved from

https://www.world widefruit s.com/muntingia-calabura-jamaica-cherry.html

Haider P. (2015). “13 Health Benefits of Kerson Fruit”. Retrieved from https

://www.linkedin.com /pulse/13health-benefits-kerson-fruit-dr-paul-haider

Multum, C. (2019). Anti-fungal Liquid. Retrieved from

https://www.drugs.com/mtm/anti-fungal-liquid.html

Wexler, A. (2019). Diabetes and Yeast Infections. Retrieved from https://www.Medical

newstoday.com/articles/317924.php

Theoretical Framework

This research was based on the recent study of Benedict and Park (2014) entitled

“Invasive Fungal Infection After Natural Disaster” which found out that during a disaster,

pathogenic fungi can be displaced from their natural habitats, which could increase their

environmental concentration or introduce them to areas where they would not normally

be found, resulting in contact with injured persons and potentially causing fungal

infections especially at the skin, also wound contamination with organic matter can lead

to post disaster skin and soft tissue fungal infections known as mucormycosis.
 Moreover, researcher’s product is an Aratiles Ointment that could cure fungal

skin infections with the help of its antifungal properties. The product will be useful for

people who reside at flood prone areas as the mentioned study theorized that there is a

higher risk for people to have fungal skin infections if there is a repeated skin contact to

the flood water which may contain contaminants.

As a conclusion, the aim of the study is to determine the effectiveness of Aratiles

Ointment as cure for fungal skin infections of the respondents, especially those who live

at flood prone places during rainy seasons.

Reference:

Benedict K. & Park B. (2014). Invasive Fungal Infections After Natural Disasters.

Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3944874/

Conceptual Framework

Independent Variables Dependent Variable

Aratiles Ointment Healing of fungal skin

infections which could be
acquired from flood waters.

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to determine the effectiveness of Aratiles Ointment as cure for

fungal skin infections.

Specifically, it sought to answer the following:

1. What is the demographic profile of the respondents in terms of:

 a. Age

b. Gender

c. Health status

2. What is the level of severity of the respondent’s fungal skin infection before

using the Aratiles Ointment?

3. What is the level of severity of the respondent’s fungal skin infection after

using the Aratiles Ointment?

4. Is there any significant difference of the level of severity of the respondent’s

fungal skin infection before and after using the Aratiles Ointment?

Scope and Delimitations

In the vicinity of Menzyland Subdivision in Barangay Mojon, Plaridel, Bulacan,

fifteen (15) respondents were selected as subjects in conducting the study.

This study limits its coverage on citizens of Menzyland Subdivision, Barangay

Mojon who are having skin fungal infections only. The main purpose is to determine the

effectiveness of Aratiles Ointment as cure for fungal skin infections.

The researchers used purposive sampling in which respondents who have fungal

skin infections were selected.

The testing of the product will be conducted and observed every Monday,

Wednesday and Friday, between 1pm to 2pm, within four (4) weeks in Barangay Mojon.

Moreover, the study considers the health of the chosen respondents in case of skin

allergies.
Significance of the Study

The results of this study about the effectiveness of Aratiles Ointment as cure for fungal

skin infections will benefit the following groups of individuals:

Athletes. As they are the ones who frequently sweating. Athlete’s foot is common

for athletes which begins in between toes if the feet became very sweaty while wearing

tightfitting shoes. Though, not only athletes have the possibility of having the said fungal

infection.

People who resides at flood prone areas. Fungal skin infections could be a

cause of prolonged exposure of the skin to contaminated waters. People who lives at

flood prone areas have higher risk of being infected of fungal infection in the skin due to

their exposure to contaminated flood waters.

People who resides or works at dump areas. They are prone and resulting to a

skin fungi infections. Aratiles Ointment will help them to lessen their worries about skin

fungal infections.

The researchers. What they experience and learn while conducting this study

would be added to their knowledge. This will help if they will choose to continue on

researching or developing the ointment or conducting further researches related to aratiles

and fungal infections.

 Future Researchers. The findings of this study will be a useful reference for the

future researchers. This study could also serve as an overview or background in

conducting new studies about aratiles, fungal skin infections etc.

Definition of Terms

 Aratiles Ointment- An external use medication made of aratiles that

helps to cure skin fungal infections . It is the product that the researchers

are developing and studying about.

 Effectiveness – producing a decided, decisive, or desired effect

(Merriam Webster).

The researchers will determine the effectiveness of the

product through testing and observing if the results reflects to the

desired effects mentioned in the study.

 Fungal Infections - it occurs when an invading fungus takes over an

area of the body and is too much for the immune system to handle

(Johnson 2018)

The researchers aim to determine if fungal infections on

skin could be cured by an ointment made with aratiles.

 Severity - the quality or state of being severe (Merriam Webster).

The researchers aims to measure the severity of the fungal

skin infections before and after the application of the product.

 STI College Malolos

McArthur Highway, Dakila, Malolos City, Bulacan

“The Effectiveness of Aratiles Ointment as Cure for Fungal Skin Infections”

In Partial Fulfillment with

the Requirements on

Practical Research 2

Members:

Gamboa, Arriane Maie I.

Geronimo, Anthony L.

Liwanag, Sheanette Anne F.

Mariano, Martin Lois M.

Miranda, Cedrick A.

Yap, John Ver E.

STEM 12-A

Submitted to:
 Mr. Reymond Tugadi

Subject Teacher Practical Research 2

2020