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LIVED EXPERIENCES OF MVCA COVID-19 SURVIVORS:

A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY

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A Qualitative Research

Presented to the Faculty of Mountain View College (Academy Department)

Valencia City, Bukidnon

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In partial fulfillment of the Requirements

for the course Practical Research 1

By:

Carl B. Balmocena

Imee A. Labitad

April 2023
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CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

The SARS-CoV-2 virus is the pathogen responsible for the contagious condition

known as Corona Virus sickness (COVID-19). Most virus-infected individuals will experience

a mild to severe respiratory disease, but will recover without the need for special care. Yet,

some people will get serious illness and need medical care. Serious illness is more likely to

affect the elderly and those with underlying medical illnesses including cancer, diabetes,

cardiovascular disease, or persistent respiratory issues (Centers for Disease Control, 2020).

Anyone can become gravely ill from COVID-19 or pass away from it at any age. The

COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that insufficient steps have been taken to deal with

the psychological effects of this potentially worldwide catastrophe. The extensive experience

that COVID-19 survivors have before, during, and after their isolated phase can help the

general public better grasp the psychological and social effects of the condition.

According to studies, COVID-19 patients who were alone felt ostracized, rejected,

blamed, nervous, and confused but were able to manage their circumstances (Chen et al.,

2020; Rahmatinejad et al., 2020). The 2019-Corona virus illness (COVID-19) has

psychological repercussions that are most severe in children, despite the fact that medical

research suggests that children are only slightly more susceptible to the ailment. More

psychological damage may result from isolation in homes and institutions than from the

sickness itself. School closings, a lock of outdoor exercise, aberrant eating and sleeping

patterns, and other circumstances that could cause monotony, discontent, impatience,

aggravation, and a variety of neuropsychiatric manifestations are all likely to disturb

children’s routines. The prevalence of domestic violence, child abuse, and altered online
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content is all rising. Front-line worker children and children of single parents confront unique

problems. Children from underprivileged homes are more likely to contract an infection and

sustain serious long-term effects (Sheek-Hussein et al, 2021). This study is an example of

how phenomenological research can produce precise, context specific data that is helpful

for evidence-based policy.

Decisions on public health care may be made on the basis of evidence generated

from study findings and context-related information. This strategy for developing a national

universal health care system has also been acknowledged by the Department of Health

(DOH-AO-2022).

As a result, acquiring pertinent data from the qualitative resource will assist decision-

makers in developing efficient policies and programs. Learning about the illness and how

the virus spreads are good method to stop or slow down transmission. Yet, there is also a

need to understand what the COVID survivors went through when infected by the virus.

Statement of the Problem

The aim of this research is to understand the lived experiences of the MVCA

Covid-19 survivors. Specifically, it seeks to answer the following question:

1. What are the struggles experienced by the MVCA COVID-19 survivors?

2. What are the actions taken to cope with the situation?

3. What can be done to help COVID survivors?

Significance of the study

This study will aid to identify areas where our knowledge of COVID-19 is

lacking. Misconceptions and adverse attitudes towards COVID-19 may be

addressed. This study aims to document and learn from the experiences of persons
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who have directly dealt with COVID-19, particularly the supposedly mild-to-moderate

cases that went away on their own after being left alone.

MVC Community (Academy Department). This study can spread awareness

in the community that it's hard to experience COVID-19 and that we should love and

care for them, particularly those who have been left alone.

Future Researchers. The result of this study can make future researchers

realize and gain more knowledge about what COVID-19 really is, and they can add

it to their future research and studies.

Students. The Covid-19 is still in there; students can encounter many people

at school without knowing that the one they talk to is the carrier and so the results of

this study can warn the students to prepare them, instruct them on how to prevent

dealing with the virus.

Parents. This research could lead the parents to keep their children safe from

the virus. This could also lead them to limit the freedom of their children and to

discipline them to be safe at all times.

Teachers. The teachers are the ones who deal with many students and

people in the school. The outcomes of this study can make the teachers more

aware, vigilant and careful of their surroundings and better equipped on how to stop

COVID spread in the school and how to escape from the virus.
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Scope and Delimitation

The focus of this study is confined to the students of Mountain View College

(Academy Department) or MVCA and their lived experiences as COVID-19

survivors. This study will only focus on the experiences of unvaccinted MVCA

students having COVID-19 and what struggles they went through and what

COVID-19 brought them.

Operational Definition of Terms

Covid-19. This term refers to a contagious disease caused by a virus that the

students has experienced..

COVID’19 Survivors. This term refers to the students who tested positive during the

Covid outbreak and are the subject of the study.

Phenomenology. Refers to the methodology that elaborates the first-person

perspective and aims to define the participants' experiences.

CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Public health around the world is in danger due to the coronavirus disease of 2019

(COVID-19) pandemic. Economy restrictions have affected travel.

In an effort to contain the spread, borders were closed and billions were confined at their

homes. Social estrangement and lockdown procedures have broken social and emotional

ties in people's lives. Each individual is dealing with. As we approach the two-year mark of

the start of the wave of pandemic-induced school closures, academic normalcy remains
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elusive for many children, educators, and parents. Schools have encountered severe staff

shortages, high rates of absenteeism and quarantines, and continuous school closures in

addition to rising COVID-19 cases by the end of 2021. Furthermore, students and teachers

continue to face mental health issues, increased levels of aggression and misbehavior, and

worries about missed instructional time (Kuhfeld et al, 2022). Students were affected by the

COVID-19 pandemic. Students experienced financial difficulties that jeopardized their

education, changing living arrangements that made learning difficult, and frequently lacked

the resources required to even get into class online. Schools spent time and money to move

classrooms, activities, and services online in a matter of days, but they also lost vital tuition

and supplementary revenue (Acosta et al, 2021).

The government is improving its preparedness methods and coping mechanisms in

response to the hazards posed by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic,

according to the lead implementer of the National Action Plan (NAP) on Covid-19, Sec.

Carlito Galvez Jr.

Galvez, who is also the president's peace adviser, stated that the Inter-Agency Task

Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has designated anti-

Covid czars to focus on the government's anti-Covid prevention, detection, treatment

isolation, and reintegration program. Each anti-Covid czar is assigned to lead components

on government's measures and strategies to halt the spread of Covid-19( Kabagani 2020).

Approximately 64% of the world's population lives in a country that has either agreed

to or is qualified to join the Coronavirus Vaccines Global Access Facility, or COVAX, which

allows governments that participate to spread the risk and costs of vaccine development

and provide initial access to vaccines to their communities.

According to the WHO director, the primary objective of the COVAX Facility is to

ensure that all nations have access to vaccines at the same time, with priority given to those

most at risk.
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"The COVAX Facility will help bring the pandemic under control," he said, adding that

it will "save lives, accelerate economic recovery, and ensure that the race for vaccines is a

shared endeavor, not a contest that only the wealthy can win." "Vaccine nationalism will only

serve to perpetuate the disease and prolong global recovery." ( Cairns, 2020).

According to (Mayo Clinic Staff, ND) Most persons who contract coronavirus disease

2019 (COVID-19) recover in a couple of weeks. However, some people, even those with

minor cases of the condition, may experience long-term effects. These enduring health

issues are referred to as post-COVID-19 syndrome, post-COVID conditions, long COVID-19,

and post acute sequelae of SARS-COV-2 infection (PASC).

While there is no clear definition of protracted COVID, the most common symptoms

documented in several studies are fatigue and dyspnea that linger for months after acute

COVID-19. Cognitive and mental impairments, chest and joint problems, palpitations,

myalgia, smell and taste dysfunctions, cough, headache, and gastrointestinal and heart

disorders are all possible long-term effects (Yong, 2020)

There is currently no treatment for Long COVID. You and your doctor can collaborate

to develop a customized care plan to manage your symptoms and enhance your quality of

life.

Exercise may be hazardous for patients with Long COVID who have post-exertional

malaise (PEM), which is characterized by symptoms that worsen after even moderate

physical or mental activity. Symptoms typically emerge between 24 and 72 hours after

activity and might linger for days or even weeks. If you have Long COVID, consult your

doctor before beginning any physical activity.

There are methods available to help people cope with Long COVID and obtain the

necessary health and social support ( National Institute of Health, 2022)

John Hopkin’s Medicine (2021) said that covid 19 can bring other diseases besides

the virus, Chronic Sequelae following infection affect up to 87% of patients hospitalized with
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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a

respiratory condition that can cause anything from moderate to severe upper respiratory

symptoms, including death. COVID-19's acute symptoms have been well-described, and a

severe case can harm many organs and lead to organ failure.Only 40% of patients were

independent in all activities of daily living by 30 days in a large study of more than 1300

hospitalized COVID-19 patients who survived and were discharged home with home health

care services. Chronic fatigue is the most frequently reported long-term symptom, affecting

up to 69% of survivors. Long-term symptoms can also affect the lungs, resulting in exercise

intolerance and chronic cough. According to 33% to 61% of patients, chronic headache,

depression, sleeplessness, and memory and concentration problems are among the

neuropsychiatric long-term consequences. Constant chest pressure or pain are examples of

cardio-metabolic problems (JOSHUA D. LONG et.al, 2021).

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) advantages are prevalent among

seriously sick patients with acute 2009 H1N1 respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) 2014

Middle East respiratory syndrome and influenza 1–5 Early observational studies published

during the (MERS) outbreak found that up to 31% of hospitalized coronavirus patients were

from China. Patients with illness in 2019 (COVID-19) and up to 90% of seriously ARDS

arose in ill COVID-19 patients, but ECMO prevented it. Assistance was barely used 2%–5%

of the time.6–9 Registry for the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) reported

up to 40% of 1035 patients' 90-day in-hospital mortality Patients with COVID-19 who require

ECMO assistance between 16 January 2020 and 1 May 2020 (Woon Hean Chong et.al).
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CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

Research Design

This study focuses on the lived experiences of the COVID’19 survivors. Hence, it will

employ a qualitative research design. Qualitative approach involves in collecting and

analyzing data. It allows the researchers to understand concepts, opinions and experiences

of the participants.

This qualitative study will use a phenomenology as its research method. A

phenomenology research study helps in understanding how individuals see, view, and

comprehend a particular situation (Neubauer et al, 2019).

Research locale

The locale of this study will be at Mountain View College Academy (MVCA). MVCA is

a faith-based institution operated by the Seventh-day Adventist denomination. The institution

offers Junior High School and Senior High School education. The senior high school offers

three (3) strands such as: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM);

Accounting and Business Management (ABM); and Humanities and Social Sciences

(HUMSS).

During the pandemic, the students of MVCA were not excused from contracting the

corona virus. Hence, it is a perfect locale for this study.

Research Population and Sampling

The target participants of this research are the students of Mountain View College

Academy (MVCA) who have survived Covid-19. In this study, a purposive sampling method
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will be utilized, where five (5) participants will be interviewed. Specifically, the participants

should qualify the following criteria:

(a) He or She is a student in MVCA;

(b) He or She has experienced COVID; and

(c) He or She is willing to be a participant..

(d) He or She is unvaccinated.

Instrumentation

In conducting this study, the researchers shall follow several steps to come up with the

answers. The researchers will utilize the interview guide of Moustakas (1994), which

involves interactions with the respondent, understanding of the respondents' experiences,

and an overview of their entire experience. In addition to conducting an interview,

observations will be made.

Reflexivity

The researchers are students at the research site for the study. The researchers are

likewise affected by the mentioned COVID-19 survivor. The researches believe that

everybody deserves to be heard, especially when it comes to their challenging experiences.

Although the study may contain some personal biases, it is important to analyze how these

biases and beliefs may influence the study. As much as possible, researchers will avoid

creating conclusions based on them.

Data Gathering Procedure

The data collection for this study will be done using the following procedures: (a) A

consent letter must be provided by the researchers to the participant; however, it must first

be submitted to the school. If there will be minors involved, then a parents consent letter will
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be provided; (b) An interview will be done if the participants give us consent; (c) The

researcher then will transcribe the data collected throughout the interview, and (d) the data

collected will then be analyzed.

Ethical Consideration

In conducting this study, the Ethical Consideration of Brinkmann and Kvale (2015) shall

be used:

Informed Consent. The researchers shall send inform consents to the School, the

participants, and parents/guardians if the participants are under age.

Confidentiality. All information that will be gathered for this study will be considered

confidential, and the findings will be presented in a way that respects the participant’s

privacy.

Consequences. By all means that the participants decide to withdraw in the middle of

the data gathering collection, they will be, by no means, that they will be forced. Participants

have the right to decline research participation if they decided to after reading the study’s

objective. Participants under the age of eighteen (18), their parents or legal guardians will be

asked to sign a written informed consent form. All data collected for this study will be

securely maintained and safeguarded against unauthorized access or abuse.

Role of the Researchers. The researchers in this study will ensure that the data that

will be collected will be used by the researchers alone. They will also serve as interviewers

and observers during the said process.

Data Analysis

To analyze the data that will be gathered, the researchers will use the Data Analysis

framework of Moustakas (1994). The researchers will first become familiar with the data

through reviewing the transcript of the recording during the interview. After reviewing, the
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researchers will identify similar answers to and group them into categories. The data

gathered will then be coded by finding themes among the categories created. Then, the

researchers will proceed with the textural definitions as well as identifying the structural

descriptions. After, the researchers will then construct meanings and essences out from the

textural and structural descriptions.

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APPENDIX A
LETTER OF CONSENT

April ___ 2023

LIEL GEM V. PONDARA

Principal, MVCA
Mountain View College
Mt. Nebo, Valencia, Bukidnon

Dear Ma’am:

Greetings!

We, Imee A. Labitad. students of Mountain View College (Academy Department), enrolled in
Practical Research 1. Part of our requirements for the said class is to conduct a research.
We are working on a research entitled, lived experiences of MVCA Covid-19 survivors.

This study aims to look into the lived experiences of MVCA Covid-19 survivors . In relation to
this, we would like to humbly solicit your voluntary participation as a participant in this study.
Further, we would like to also ask permission to be allowed to interview the target students
and observe them.

Be assured that absolute confidentiality and anonymity will be observed, especially as the
data will be gathered and analyzed. Further, since your participation in this study is
voluntary, you will not be, in any way, forced to answer or take part in any of the procedures
during the data gathering against your will. Your data will be handled by the researchers
alone and will be analyzed through coding, which makes it impossible in any way to be
linked to you after the collection.

Please feel free to ask any questions in relation to this matter.

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Date: April 24, 2023

Sincerely,

Imee A. Labitad Carl B. Balmocena

After carefully reading this, if you agree to take part in this study, kindly write your name and
affix your signature, signifying your acceptance. A copy of this consent form will be given to
you for reference.

Name: _____________________________ Date: _____________ Signature:

__________________________
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APPENDIX B

Mountain View College (Academy Department)

College Heights, Mt. Nebo,
8709, Valencia City, Bukidnon

APPROVAL SHEET

This thesis entitled The Lived experiences of Covid-19 survivors prepared and
submitted by Imee Labitad, Ryan Rubio, Carl G. Balmocena, Rienzel Carpentero, Jedrick
Cabanog in partial fulfillment of requirements for the course Practical Research 1, has been
recommended for acceptance and approved for oral examination.

Erfegen Basagan
Adviser

PANEL OF EXAMINERS

Examined and approved by the Committee on Oral Examination.

___________________________
Chair
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___________________________ ___________________________
Member Member

Accepted as a partial fulfillment of the requirements.