ARNUCO, GRANT WYNN B.

ADZU SOM- Level II

Research Topics:

1. Effectiveness of SMS-text Adherence Support (StAR Support) on the Knowledge

and Compliance on Anti-Hypertensive Drug Medication Among Hypertensive
Individuals in Selected Barangays of Mahayag, Zamboanga Del Sur

High blood pressure is an important risk factor for heart disease, stroke and
chronic kidney disease. Clear evidence exists that for individuals with high blood
pressure (hypertension) lowering blood pressure really reduces this risk. One of the
critical factors in the long term control of blood pressure is the regular use of effective
antihypertensive medications. According to a literature, in South Africa, poor treatment
adherence (attending clinic, re-filling prescriptions, and regularly taking hypertension
tablets) is known to be an important and alterable risk factor for uncontrolled high blood
pressure and its complications (heart disease, stroke and chronic kidney disease). Some
studies have shown that SMS-text messages have been shown to improve clinic
attendance and medication adherence for some diseases (like HIV and TB) in other low-
resource settings. It is not clear whether SMS-text messages to support treatment
adherence have an effect on long-term blood pressure control. The acceptability,
sustainability and scalability such technology also remains to be determined.

Goal: To determine the effectiveness of SMS-text Adherence Support (StAR Support) on

the Knowledge and Compliance on Anti-Hypertensive Drug Medication Among
Hypertensive Individuals in Selected Barangays of Mahayag, Zamboanga Del Sur

Objectives:

a. To be able to determine the factors that affects the compliance of the hypertensive
individuals on medication.
b. To be able to determine the efficiency of information delivery on hypertension via
SMS-text adherence Support among hypertensive individuals
c. To be able to determine the efficiency of the SMS-text Adherence Support on:
 Health Center Visits for BP Monitoring
 Prescription Refill Attendance
 Self-Reported Medication Adherence
2. Pinoy Nutrition Hub VS Standard Health Care on the Feeding Practices of Mothers
and Nutritional Status of Their Undernourished Children 6 Months to 59 Months of
Age in Selected Barangays of Mahayag, Zamboanga Del Sur: A Comparative Study

Undernutrition is still a problem in the Philippines as of today. It affects 21.5% of

the children less than 5 years of age according to the Nutrition Survey 2015. The
prevalence of malnutrition in Zamboanga Del Sur is 18.1% among children less than 5
years old. (FNRI, 2016) As Millennium Developmental Goal indicators no.1 and 4 is to
reduce child mortality and improve nutrition respectively. The reduction of the
prevalence of underweight children ages 0-6 from 27.3% to 13.7% by 2015 is one of
MDGs set for the Philippines. The FNRI has revised its Nutritional Guidelines for
Filipinos. It also aims to strengthen its Food Fortification Program in order to increase
micronutrient intake through staples like rice, bread, sugar and cooking oils as well as
baby foods, snack foods and juices popular among children.
New and innovative interventions have been done in almost similar rural areas in
the country that had improved the nutritional status of children age 0-5 years. One of
these interventions is the Pinoy Nutrition Hub (PNH) developed by World Vision
Development Foundation. The PNH is a contextualized approach to address the
malnutrition problem in the Filipino community. It is a community-based nutrition
program that involves caregivers in rehabilitating their own malnourished children, using
local food and wisdom.

Goal: To determine the effectiveness of PNH in improving the feeding practices of

mothers and nutritional status of their undernourished children 6 months to 59 months of
age as compared with standard health care group.

Objectives:

a. To determine the baseline feeding practices of mothers with undernourished

children 6 months to 59 months old of both the PNH and standard health care
groups.
b. To determine the baseline nutritional status of undernourished children 6 months to
59 months old of both PNH and standard health care groups.
c. To compare the feeding practices of mothers with undernourished children 6
months to 59 months old before and after the PNH implementation.
d. To compare the nutritional status of undernourished children 6 months to 59 months
old before and after the PNH implementation.
e. To compare the effectiveness in improving the feeding practices of mothers with
undernourished children 6 months to 59 months old between the PNH and standard
health care groups before and after the implementation phase.
f. To compare the nutritional status of undernourished children 6 months to 59 months
old between the PNH and standard health care groups before and after the
implementation phase.
3. The Effect of Lecture on the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices on the
Occupational Safety and Health of Farmers on Farm Safety in Barangay San Isidro,
Municipality of Mahayag, Zamboanga Del Sur

Health education as an interventional tool has proven to be effective in training non-

health professionals for healthcare. In the study of Gapor (2006), it was found out that health
education in the form of lecture was effective in increasing the knowledge of mothers
regarding responsible self-medication. In another similar study, health education in the form
of lecture was found to be effective in improving the knowledge, attitude and practices of
farmers on the proper handling of pesticides (Usman, 2006).
Many studies have proved the effectiveness of lecture in increasing knowledge of
respondents. A study conducted by Hakim (2005) concluded that lecture is effective in
increasing the knowledge of the fourth year high school student regarding drug abuse.
Lecture was also proven to improve not only knowledge, but attitudes and practices as well.
In a study conducted by Sampul in 2005, lecture significantly increases knowledge, improved
the attitude, theoretical practices, and actual practices of the farmers regarding pesticide.
Teus in 2006 compared the effectiveness of lecture versus flyers on increasing the
knowledge, attitude, and practices of commercial poultry handlers regarding Avian Flu in
selected barangays in Zamboanga City. The results have shown that both methods increases
the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the respondents, but the mean score of the lecture
group was higher than the flyer group.
Balbon in 2008 compare the efficacy of video versus lecture on increasing the
knowledge, attitudes, and practices among PTB symptomatic in selected barangays in Sergio
Osmeña Sr., Zamboanga del Norte. Results showed that there was an increase in the
knowledge of both groups after the intervention, but when compared to each other, results
showed that there is no significant difference between the two groups in increasing their
knowledge. Result also showed that there was no significant difference between the two
groups mean scores as to their attitude, although there is an increase in the number of
respondents who sought medical advice in the Health Center and had sputum examination on
the Video Group. With these and many studies, lecture can be said to be the most effective
means of information dissemination.

Goal: To determine the effectiveness of Lecture on the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices
on the Occupational Safety and Health of Farmers on Farm Safety in Barangay San Isidro,
Municipality of Mahayag, Zamboanga del sur.

Objectives:
a. To determine the knowledge, attitude, and practices on the Occupational Safety and
Health on Farm Safety of the Farmers.
b. To determine if there is a significant difference in the knowledge, attitude, and
practices of the Farmers on the Occupational Safety and Health on Farm Safety.