Name:_ROCEL MARIE S. SUAREZ Contact No.

:09215038170

1. Concept Paper Topic 1 (350-500 words)

TITLE: COVID 19 AND VACCINATION HESITANCY AMONG SENIOR CITIZENS
IN THE PHILIPPINES
INTRODUCTION:

WHO Philippines expresses concern at the low COVID-19 vaccination rate among senior
citizens in some LGUs amid rising threat from new variants. WHO has stated “We are very
concerned that most of our older, more vulnerable people are still missing out on essential, life-
saving vaccines against COVID-19? Not vaccinating most of our elderly now means more of
them will suffer from severe illness and death. This is unacceptable when we already have
adequate vaccine stocks to protect them,” said Dr Rabindra Abeyasinghe, WHO Representative
to the Philippines. This study aims to identify the factors affecting the hesitancy for COVID
vaccinations among these vulnerable group.

https://www.who.int/philippines/news/detail/30-07-2021-who-philippines-expresses-concern-at-the-low-covid-
19-vaccination-rate-among-senior-citizens-in-some-lgus-amid-rising-threat-from-new-variants

BACKGROUND:
The elderly are at the highest risk of the most severe outcomes of COVID-19. Seven out
of 10 COVID-19 deaths in the Philippines are from this group.
Despite improving vaccination rates in other priority groups, vaccination of the elderly – the A2
population – lags, with only about 25% fully vaccinated and about 35% having received their
first dose.

NEED FOR THE STUDY:

This study aims to determine the factors affecting the high rate of hesitancy for COVID
19 vaccination among senior citizens in the Philippines. Its goal is to help identify the significant
factors influencing their refusal to be vaccinated, whether due to socio-cultural influences,
personal perception or directly related to vaccine issues. This will assess and pinpoint where
improvements on proper information should be focused that might make a developmental change
in the percentage of compliance for vaccination among this vulnerable group.

Vaccine'Hesitancy'Survey'Questions'Related'to'SAGE'Vaccine'Hesitancy' Matrix'
https://www.who.int/immunization/programmes_systems/Survey_Questions_Hesitancy.pdf

RELATED LITERATURE REVIEW

LOW VACCINATION RATES AMONG THE ELDERLY
https://www.who.int/philippines/news/detail/30-07-2021-who-philippines-expresses-concern-at-the-low-covid-
19-vaccination-rate-among-senior-citizens-in-some-lgus-amid-rising-threat-from-new-variants

To date, only 2.1 million of the 8.5 million master-listed senior citizens (around 25%) in
the Philippines have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Some cities and regions have
been more successful at protecting older people than others. In the National Capital Region,
Pasig City and Las Piñas City have already partially vaccinated 100% of their senior citizens by
mid-July 2021. Such achievement is commendable and should be acknowledged. On the other
hand, some regions — Region V and BARMM — have only partially vaccinated less than 20%
of their senior citizens. In addition to low coverage, more concerning is the focus of some LGUs
to predominantly vaccinate the lower-risk A4 group.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. WHAT IS THE PERCENTAGE OF SENIOR CITIZENS WHO STILL REFUSE TO BE
VACCINATED FOR COVID 19?
2. WHAT IS THE MAIN REASON FOR COVID 19 HESITANCY AMONG THE ELDERLY
AGE GROUP IN THE PHILIPPINES? IS IT DUE TO SOCIO-CULTURAL INFLUENCES,
PERSONAL PERCEPTION OR DIRECTLY RELATED TO VACCINE ISSUES.
3. WHAT ARE THE SPECIFIC SUGGESTIONS THAT CAN HELP IMPROVE THE TURN
OUT OF VACCINATION AMONG THIS AGE GROUP.
METHODOLOGY
Data collection from reliable sources like articles from DOH bulletin and peer-reviewed
publications will be made use. Interview and conduct of self-made survey questionnaires will
be utilized to determine the factors affecting elderly hesitancy to COVID vaccination. The age
group focus will be random senior citizens age 60 and above who has not received their COVID
19 vaccination.

TIME TABLE:
This study is expected to be completed within a 12 week duration

REFERENCES:
Factors affecting vaccine hesitancy among families with children 2 years old and younger in two urban
communities in Manila, Philippines
https://ojs.wpro.who.int/ojs/index.php/wpsar/article/view/691
Low vaccination rates among the elderly
https://www.who.int/philippines/news/detail/30-07-2021-who-philippines-expresses-concern-at-the-low-covid-19-
vaccination-rate-among-senior-citizens-in-some-lgus-amid-rising-threat-from-new-variants
2. Concept Paper Topic 2 (350-500 words):
UNDER EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT OF NURSES IN THE PHILIPPINES

INTRODUCTION:
The study aims to explore on the current employment status of registered nurses in non -
health care institutions. Specifically, it determined the profile of the respondents in terms of age,
gender, and type of work, position and length of service with the current position. Additionally, it
will assess the reasons for staying in the present work, their regrets if there is and if given an
opportunity were they willing to go back to the nursing profession.

BACKGROUND:
According to the Commission on Higher Education Executive Director Julito Vitriolo, nursing is
considered one of the country's “oversubscribed” courses— programs that have continually rising
enrolment rates in the face of dwindling job vacancies, leading to an oversupply of graduates. There are
conflicting data as to how many nurses are unemployed or underemployed. Some say it’s about 80,000 to
100,000. Other government agencies put the figure at about 400,000. But in 2001-2011, there is an
estimated 221,323 unemployed/underemployed nurses in the country in accordance to PRC. At any rate,
it is undeniable that there is a huge surplus of nurses in the Philippines. Being unemployed and
underemployed has been an issue in the field of nursing. The International Labor Organization defines
underemployed as those who have a job that does not necessarily suit their qualifications, among other
things. On the other hand, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) defined unemployment as people who do
not have a job, have actively looked for work in the past four weeks, and are currently available for work.
Also, people who were temporarily laid off and are waiting to be called back to that job are included in
the unemployment statistics.
pjeas.apjmr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/APJEAS-2018.5.4.11.pdf

NEED FOR THE STUDY:

This study aims to identify the different reasons for underemployment and
unemployment of nurses in the Philippines. Despite the growing need for health care workers
due to the existing COVID 19 crisis, there are still lots of nurses who choose to work on non-
nursing jobs. Philippines is the leading supplier of nurses abroad but there is a significant rate of
shortage among nurses in the Philippines.
RELATED LITERATURE REVIEW
Current Employment Status of Registered Nurses in Non – Health Care Institutions
Catherine Mae B. Dimandal, Ma. Kristina V. Vergara, Sherlyn C. Vergara, Crystal Joy B. Villoria & Bella P.
Magnaye, Cecilia C. Pring College of Nursing, Lyceum of the Philippines University, Batangas City,
Philippines
pjeas.apjmr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/APJEAS-2018.5.4.11.pdf

Being unemployed and underemployed has been an issue in the field of nursing. The
International Labor Organization defines underemployed as those who have a job that does not
necessarily suit their qualifications, among other things. On the other hand, the Bureau of Labor
Statistics (BLS) defined unemployment as people who do not have a job, have actively looked
for work in the past four weeks, and are currently available for work. Also, people who were
temporarily laid off and are waiting to be called back to that job are included in the
unemployment statistics. Representative Arnel Ty and Health Secretary Enrique Ona, told
students who are thinking about studying nursing, even those partway through a nursing degree,
to look at allied courses like medical technology and pharmacy instead. And many nursing
graduates are encouraged to find jobs in the call centers which are increasing rapidly in the
Philippines. Some of these are taking advantage of their medical knowledge by offering back-
office services for hospitals and clinics. Many nurses choose to work in non-health care
institution due to low salary. Thus, the researchers find it interesting to determine nurse’s current
employment status not related to nursing profession. The researchers as future nurses chose this
study to find out what lies ahead for the graduates of nursing in the country. As this is a timely
event, because there is a shortage of nurses in the country amidst the oversupply of nurses.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. WHAT ARE THE REASONS FOR NURSES’ UNDEREMPLOYMENT AND
UNEMPLOYMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES?
2. DO NURSING GRADUATES REGRET TAKING UP NURSING COURSE AND ENDING
UP WITH UNRELATED JOB?
3. GIVEN THE CHANCE IN THE CURRENT SITUATION OF COVID 19 PANDEMIC,
WILL THEY CHOOSE TO BE EMPLOYED AS A NURSE OVER THEIR CURRENT
POSITIONS OR SITUATIONS?

METHODOLOGY
Data collection from reliable sources like articles from DOH bulletin and peer-reviewed
publications will be made use. Interview and conduct of self-made survey questionnaires will
be utilized to determine the reasons of underemployment or unemployment of nurses. The
focused group will be nursing graduates either unemployed or working in non-nursing jobs such
as call centers, malls, offices and others. This will be conducted via online survey with a 2 part
questionnaire. First part will focus on demographics such as age, year graduated, and current
employment status. No. of years in current position. Second part will focus on questions about
reasons for being unemployed or underemployed, regrets on taking up nursing course and choice
of going back to nursing profession.

TIME TABLE:
THIS STUDY IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED WITHIN A 12 WEEK DURATION.

References:
Current Employment Status of Registered Nurses in Non – Health Care Institutions
Catherine Mae B. Dimandal, Ma. Kristina V. Vergara, Sherlyn C. Vergara, Crystal Joy B. Villoria & Bella P.
Magnaye, Cecilia C. Pring College of Nursing, Lyceum of the Philippines University, Batangas City, Philippines
http://apjeas.apjmr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/APJEAS-2018.5.4.11.pdf
3. Concept Paper Topic 2 (350-500 words):
TITLE: Satisfaction Rate of Philippine Nurses toward Government’s Effort against
COVID 19

INTRODUCTION:  
The majority of Filipinos have expressed satisfaction with the Duterte administration’s
response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, according to the survey results
released by global polling firm Gallup International Association. Based on the April 6 to 8 poll,
around 80 percent of Filipinos believed the government is handling the Covid-19 crisis “well”.
Only 18 percent expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s Covid-19 response, while two
percent were ambivalent on the matter. However, it cannot be denied that in this pandemic battle,
one of the most aggrieved group are the health care practitioners specifically the nurses. They are
the once who are forefront Covid patients and has undeniably gave their best effort among
others. The general public has a positive say on the efforts of the Government against the crisis
but the voice of the frontline nurses are yet to be heard.

80% of Filipinos satisfied with gov’t response to Covid-19: poll

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1100714

BACKGROUND:
NURSES are leaving the country because they feel unappreciated, the president of the
Philippine Nurses Association (PNA) said. Proof of this neglect is the meager pay and benefits
given to nurses, he said. "We are not asking for anything, but we are not experiencing that we are
loved and we are being taken care of. Nurses are humans, too," PNA chief Melbert Reyes said.
Dr. Rene de Grano, president of the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc.
(PHAPi), on Tuesday warned that the country may lose more nurses in the next six months. He
said that around 5 to 10 percent of nurses in private hospitals left their posts to find greener
pastures abroad. If this trend continues, hospitals' operations would be crippled, de Grano said.
Reyes said that many nurses are leaving because they think the government has not given them
enough support especially in the implementation of its Covid-19 response.
Govt neglect fuels exodus of nurses'
https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/10/21/news/national/govt-neglect-fuels-exodus-of-nurses/1819191
NEED FOR THE STUDY:
This study aims to rate the satisfaction of Filipino nurses toward the support given by the
Philippine Government for their battle against the pandemic. It aims to answer the question why
nurses appear neglected despite the good response of the public to government benefits and
program. Why is there a growing number of resignation and migration of nurses abroad despite
reported shortage of nursing manpower in the Philippines? This study hopes to clarify in what
sense are Filipino nurses dissatisfied and what could possibly be done to help change this types
of perception.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. What is the average satisfaction rate of Filipino nurses towards COVID 19 pandemic
government efforts?
2. In what specific action of the government are the nurses highly satisfied and unsatisfied?
3. What percentage of nurses considers going abroad for a greener Pasteur?

METHODOLOGY
A 2 PART questionnaire will be used as the survey tool for this study. PART 1 includes
demographic data such as age, gender, location and position. Names will not be included to
secure confidentiality and encourage openness and honesty from respondents. The second part of
the questionnaire will include questions about satisfaction on Supply and Resources, Facility
Improvements, Salary and Hazard benefits, Manpower Increase Safety Protocols. Part 3 of the
questionnaire will answer the queries on respondents plan to stay as a working nurse in the
Philippines for 5 more years and up. The respondents will be nurses currently working either as a
private or public nurse in the Philippines and has rendered services for either non- covid or covid
patients.

TIME TABLE:
THIS STUDY IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED WITHIN A 12 WEEK DURATION.
REFERENCES:
Govt neglect fuels exodus of nurses'
https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/10/21/news/national/govt-neglect-fuels-exodus-of-nurses/1819191

80% of Filipinos satisfied with gov’t response to Covid-19:

pollhttps://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1100714