Professional Documents
Culture Documents
A Research Project
presented to
GABI NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Purok 7, Gabi, Compostela, Davao de Oro
APRIL 2024
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ABSTRACT
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CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
Nowadays, dengue has the highest cases and the death toll increases. This disease
mostly occurs in tropical countries such as the Philippines. It is caused by mosquitoes, a
domestic day-biting mosquito that prefers to bite humans and is the main vector that transmits
the viruses that cause dengue. The symptoms of dengue fever are severe headache, pain in the
muscles and joints, and rash that can be described as small red spots. Currently, there is no
vaccine available to prevent dengue. A natural way to prevent such diseases is through the
use of mosquito-repellent plants. Plant-based repellents have been used for generations in
traditional practice as a personal protection against host-seeking mosquitoes.
In regions where mosquitoes are prevalent and diseases such as malaria, dengue fever,
or Zika virus are common, students may miss school days due to illness contracted from
mosquito bites. While lemongrass-based repellents offer a natural alternative for mosquito
protection, their efficacy may vary, potentially leading to inadequate protection against
mosquito bites and subsequent illnesses that's why there is a need to explore different
formulations and application methods to maximize repellent efficacy and duration (Lee &
Patel, 2019). This discrepancy highlights the need for effective and reliable mosquito
prevention measures to minimize student absenteeism and ensure uninterrupted access to
education, thereby promoting better educational outcomes and overall community well-being.
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The proposed innovation of a standardized, long-lasting lemongrass-based mosquito
repellent formulation addresses the identified gaps in efficacy and accessibility while also
tackling the issue of student absenteeism due to mosquito-borne diseases. By providing a
reliable and sustainable solution to mosquito protection, this innovation aims to reduce
instances of inadequate protection, thereby minimizing student absenteeism and its adverse
effects on academic performance. Students missing school due to illnesses contracted from
mosquito bites can experience educational setbacks, hindering their academic progress and
prospects (Dutta et al., 2018). By ensuring consistent efficacy and availability of the
repellent, this innovation not only protects individuals and communities from mosquito-borne
diseases but also promotes better educational outcomes by reducing absenteeism and
fostering continuous access to education. Beneficiaries include students, parents, educators,
and communities affected by the impact of mosquito-borne illnesses. The potential market for
this innovation encompasses both consumers seeking natural mosquito repellents and
educational institutions striving to improve student attendance and academic performance.
Thus, this innovation addresses critical public health and educational challenges, contributing
to overall societal well-being and development.
According to World Health Organization (2019), in the last three decades, the
incidence of dengue fever has increased thirty fold globally, and more nations are reporting
their first first dengue outbreaks. As stated by Norris and Coat (2017), mosquitoes pose a
serious hazard to both human and animal health globally. Every year, millions of people die
as a result of their capacity to transmit and convey diseases to humans. Every year, deadly
diseases carried by mosquitoes claim the lives of over 700,000,000 people worldwide
(Bartlow et al., 2019). In that case, the alarmingly wide geographic spread of the dengue
virus in recent decades has sparked worries about the health of the world’s population
(Gyawali N., et. al. 2016)
Locally, the Philippines, like many other tropical nations, is at constant risk of dengue
because of repeated outbreaks and transmission, according to the Centres for Disease Control
and Prevention. Lee (2018) states that a repellent is commonly defined as a chemical that
prevents arthropods from landing on or stinging humans. A chemical that works locally or
remotely to keep insects from biting people or animal’s skin is known as an insect repellent.
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The repellent creates a vapour barrier to keep insects away from the skin’s surface (Legeay et
al., 2018). One of the biggest methods for preventing the spread of disease and the discomfort
caused by mosquito bites is the use of repellents. Since natural repellents are thought to be
safer, more effective, environmentally friendly, biodegradable, more affordable, and easier to
get, interest in them has grown in recent decades (Yadav et al., 2014; Iliou et al., 2019)
However, Salem (2018) states that lemongrass works well as a mosquito and housefly
repellent. Major constituents of lemongrass oil are citral, geraniol, mycerene, citronella and
limonene (Weed Society of Pakistan, 2019). According to Dr. Manuel Mapue of the
Department of Health (DOH), lemongrass is not only a valuable herb but it also has the
potential to deter dengue insects.
The World Health Organizations (WHO) and the Philippines Department of Health
have modified their dengue case reporting and recording system, which may have contributed
to the more than eight-fold increase in the total incidence of dengue in the country between
2000 and 2019.
As per reported last October 2023, The Province of Davao de Oro has seen a rise in
the number of reported cases of dengue, influenza-like illness, and other ailments, according
to the Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Unit of the Provincial Health Office (PHO).
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
• Explore the safety profile of lemongrass oil-based repellents for human use, including
potential skin irritation or allergic reactions.
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• Investigate the socio-economic impact of reduced mosquito exposure on absenteeism rates
in communities where lemongrass-based repellents are implemented, aiming to quantify the
reduction in absenteeism and associated economic benefits.
• Measure the rate of absenteeism before and after the introduction of lemongrass-based
repellents in Gabi National High School to determine the direct impact on absenteeism rates.
This study will be conducted at Gabi National High School, located in Purok 7,
Barangay Gabi, Municipality of Compostela, Province of Davao de Oro. Established on July
25, 1966, the school was originally known as Gabi Community High School. In 1980, the
name changed to Gabi Barangay High School. Finally, in 1988, it received its current
designation as Gabi National High School.
The school currently operates multi-grade classes encompassing grades 7 through 12.
Situated approximately 7 kilometers from the town of Compostela, Gabi National High
School enjoys a convenient location for secondary-level students. For senior high school,
Gabi National High School offers a variety of academic tracks aligned with the current
Department of Education curriculum, including Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS),
General Academic Strand (GAS), and Technical-Vocational Livelihood (TVL) strands. This
allows students to pursue studies that cater to their interests and career aspirations.
The student body at Gabi National High School is drawn from various surrounding
barangays, including Gabi, New Alegria, Magading, New Dauis, Batinao, and Panag of New
Bataan.
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RESEARCH QUESTIONS
Mosquito-borne diseases like malaria, dengue fever, and Zika virus continue to pose
significant health threats worldwide, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions.
According to the National Institutes of Health, among the 10 Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN), the Philippines ranks fourth in the number of dengue cases. Numerous
mosquito-borne disease like dengue and malaria continue to affect each individual. And, the
Barangay Health Workers of Gabi, Compostela, Davao de Oro conducted an evaluation to the
Gabi National High School and found Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that carry dengue viruses.
This is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. These diseases can
have several academic impacts on students such as absenteeism. Students may miss school
days due to illness, impacting their academic progress. In order to lessen the adverse
consequences on the environment and public health by promoting lemon combined with
lemongrass extract as a natural mosquito repellent product, we aim to develop a new
environmentally friendly and chemical-free repellent.
1. What is the absenteeism rate at Gabi National High School due to Mosquito-borne
diseases?
3. What are the perceptions and experiences of the students in Gabi National High
School who have used CitraNella Scent in terms of its effectiveness, duration of
protection, and overall satisfaction compared to conventional repellents?
RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
1. What is the absenteeism rate at Gabi National High School due to Mosquito-borne
diseases?
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Null Hypothesis (H0): The average absenteeism rate at Gabi National High School due
to mosquito-borne diseases is more than or equal to 10%.
Alternative Hypothesis (H1): The average absenteeism rate at Gabi National High
School due to mosquito-borne diseases is not equal to 10%.
LIMITATIONS
Skin Sensitivity: Some individuals may experience skin irritation or allergic reactions when
using lemongrass-based repellents, particularly at higher concentrations or with prolonged
exposure.
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Limited Spectrum of Action: Lemongrass oil may not be equally effective against all
species of mosquitoes, potentially leaving users vulnerable to bites from certain mosquito
species that are not repelled by its compounds.
Volatility and Evaporation: The volatile nature of lemongrass oil may lead to rapid
evaporation, especially in hot and humid conditions, reducing its longevity as a repellent.
Scope:
This study will assess the efficacy and acceptability of lemongrass-based mosquito
repellents among 20 students from Gabi National High School. In addition to evaluating the
effectiveness of the repellents in protecting participants from mosquito bites, the research will
also measure the impact on absenteeism rates due to mosquito-borne illnesses. Data
collection will include surveys, and observations to gather insights into the students'
experiences and perceptions regarding the use of lemongrass repellents, as well as changes in
absenteeism rates before and after repellent implementation. The study aims to provide
comprehensive information on the feasibility, benefits, and potential drawbacks of
introducing lemongrass-based mosquito control measures in school environments.
Delimitations:
Sample Size: The study's sample size is limited to 20 students from Gabi National High
School, which may constrain the generalizability of findings to larger populations.
Geographic Location: The research will focus specifically on students from Gabi
National High School, limiting the applicability of results to other schools or regions.
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Timeframe: Data collection will occur within a specified timeframe, potentially limiting
the assessment of long-term effects of lemongrass-based repellents on absenteeism rates.
Resource Constraints: Due to resource limitations, the study may not be able to explore
all aspects of lemongrass repellent efficacy and absenteeism comprehensively.
Ethical Considerations: The study will adhere to ethical guidelines regarding participant
consent, safety, and confidentiality. However, ethical constraints may impact the scope of
interventions or experiments that can be conducted.
School Environment: The study will focus on the school environment, and findings may
not be directly applicable to other settings, such as households or outdoor recreational areas.
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CHAPTER 2
METHODS AND DESIGN
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lemongrass as a mosquito repellent. respondents
• Determining the target population for the
repellent, such as individuals living in high-
risk mosquito-borne disease areas.
Implementation
Researchers and
Phase 6 April 1-14, 2024 respondents
- Pilot testing
- Orientation
Flowchart of Methodology
Materials:
Personal Protective Equipment
(Lab gown, eye protection, gloves, mask)
100 grams fresh lemongrass
10 lemons
100ml distilled water
Chopping board
Knife
Blender
Digital weighing scale
Strainer
Stainless steel basin
Spray bottle
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A. Acquisition
Procedure
1. Start
2. Acquire fresh lemongrass stalks and lemon.
3. The quality of the material will be checked. If the materials cannot pass the quality check,
it will be discarded and must be replaced with another.
4. The ingredients will be weighed according to the measurements the experiment will be
needing.
5. End
Procedure
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Before starting the experiment, the ingredients must be prepared. The experiment would
need, 100 grams of fresh lemongrass, 10 lemons, and 100 ml distilled water. After preparing
the ingredients, the equipment will be prepared next, chopping board, knife, blender, digital
weighing scale, strainer, stainless steel basin, spray bottle. After preparing all the materials
and equipment, start with the experiment. Acquire fresh lemongrass stalks, and rinse the
lemongrass stalks thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt or debris. Pat them dry
with a clean paper towel. Using a sharp knife and chopping board, slice the lemongrass stalks
into small pieces (approximately 1-2 cm in length), and wash the lemons thoroughly under
running water. Slice the lemons (including the peel) into thin pieces. These will be blended
with the lemongrass in step 4. Transfer the weighed lemon juice to the blender. Add 100ml of
distilled water to the blender, and pour the blended mixture through a strainer into a clean
stainless-steel basin (optional) or directly into the spray bottle. This will separate the liquid
extract from the solid lemongrass and lemon particles. Gently press the solids with the back
of a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible. Transfer the extracted lemongrass-lemon
liquid to a clean and empty spray bottle. Label the bottle with the date of preparation.
This study aims to explore individuals' subjective experiences and perceptions of using
lemongrass as a mosquito repellent. It seeks to understand the essence of these experiences
and how individuals make meaning of them.
Qualitative Approach:
In addition to numerical data, the study involved gathering and analyzing non-numerical
measures through the distribution of survey questionnaires with open-ended questions. These
open-ended questions aimed to capture opinions, experiences, and observations of individuals
who used the lemongrass-based repellent.
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Case Study (Qualitative):
Quantitative Approach:
The quantitative aspect involved collecting numerical measurements, such as frequency and
mean data, to assess the effectiveness of the lemongrass-based repellent, and to evaluate the
effectiveness of CitraNella Scent in reducing absenteeism rate.
The study used mixed methods research, combining elements of quantitative and
qualitative research. Surveys and experiments were employed to gather information from
respondents who applied CitraNella Scent.
This mixed-method approach provides insights into the effectiveness of the product while
also determining the perspectives and experiences of those who used it. This comprehensive
approach offers insights into both the efficacy of the product and its potential impact on
reducing absenteeism rates, providing a multifaceted understanding of the phenomenon.
Strategies of Inquiry
In this study, we use Experimental Design. This experiment will use a quantitative
approach to assess the repellence of lemongrass extract against mosquitoes. Statistical
analysis of the gathered data using mean and frequency helps in examining the effectiveness
and identifying patterns related to the research outputs before and after implementing the
intervention. The researchers can contribute valuable insights to the field of natural mosquito
repellents and their potential impact on public health and environmental sustainability.
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The population and sample (Data Source)
There are one thousand three hundred ninety-two (1392) students of Gabi National High
School. The respondents of the study were twenty (20) students from Gabi National High
School. Purposive and quota sampling methods will be utilized in the selection of
respondents (Moser and Stuart, 1951). It was divided into two groups; we will be randomly
choosing ten (10) respondents who lived in an area known for having a high mosquito
population. These participants will be chosen to provide feedback on the effectiveness of the
product. The remaining ten (10) respondents will be the control group for the study. This
study focuses on directly evaluating the correlation of lemongrass repellents on student
absenteeism. It would provide valuable insights into the practical benefits of employing
lemongrass-based repellents to promote better attendance and educational outcomes among
students.
The study uses survey questionnaires to gather information from the respondents. The
study involves dividing the students into two groups: one using lemongrass-based repellent
and the other using no repellent. The number of mosquito bites and instances of mosquito-
borne illnesses could be measured and compared between the two groups over a specified
period. To assess the viability and impact of lemongrass as a mosquito repellent, researchers
rely on the valuable feedback provided by respondents. Respondents' feedback plays a crucial
role in determining the perceived effectiveness of lemongrass and how it affects the students
academically. By gathering data on respondents' previous experiences with conventional
repellents, researchers can assess the relative effectiveness, safety, and user satisfaction of
lemongrass compared to synthetic alternatives.
Group decision-making. The researchers gather together to collect and communicate the
final decision clearly, allowing the group to gain a wider range of knowledge, perspectives,
and insights to help better understand the research project.
Creating the project. The research project has been crafted and established. After collecting
every piece of information required, the researchers produced a project proposal on
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promoting Lemongrass Extract as a natural mosquito repellent, which was submitted to the
research adviser for approval.
Conducting the Experiment. The researchers were given time to experiment with the
approval of the research proposal. This experiment served as the foundation for determining
the measures and formulation of the mosquito-repelling substance that works best.
Testing and Observation. After presenting the product, the researchers select students
residing in flood-prone areas with high mosquito prevalence to evaluate the effectiveness of
lemongrass extract as a repellent among students who are likely to encounter both flooding
and mosquito-related issues. After the product was given to the selected respondents, they
had a week to test it out and observe
Distribution of the Survey Questionnaire. After the respondents used the product, the
researchers formulated a series of guide questions to get their feedback. The questionnaire
checklist consists of nine (9) questions. The instrument is a Likert scale with five (5)
indicators. (5) Strongly Agree, (4) Agree, (3) Disagree, (2) Strongly Disagree, (1)
Undecided. The last question is for their comments and observations. Researchers used
quota sampling to find the respondents and ask these questions.
Collecting and Calculating Data. Frequency, tally, and mean were gathered after
conducting the research project. Bar graphs and pie charts were used to sum up and collect
the different sets of data within a group.
The researchers collected the data with utmost care and examined it several times.
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Data Analysis Plan
The data analysis plan for this research involves both quantitative and qualitative
methods. In terms of quantitative analysis, numerical data will be collected on student
absences before and after the implementation of CitraNella Scent, as well as data on the
incidence of mosquito-borne diseases in the school community during the same periods.
Descriptive analysis tools, such as mean and frequency, will be utilized to determine the
efficacy of lemongrass extract as a mosquito repellent. We mean and frequency to calculate
the average impact of the intervention on reducing student absences and will assess the
effectiveness of lemongrass extract in reducing the incidence of mosquito-borne diseases.
This data analysis plan combines both quantitative and qualitative data analysis tools
to evaluate the effectiveness of lemongrass extract as a mosquito repellent and measure the
impact of CitraNella Scent on reducing student absences caused by mosquito-borne diseases.
The results obtained from this analysis will enhance our understanding of the intervention's
efficacy and offer valuable insights for developing future mosquito control strategies in
educational environments.
Title of the Citranella Scent: Lemongrass Potency to Reduce Students Absences Owing to
Rationale Using CitraNella Scent at Gabi National High could effectively reduce
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absenteeism rates. Lemongrass contains citronella, which is known for its
can create a safer and more comfortable environment for students, reducing the
This study aims to investigate the efficacy, safety, and socio-economic impact of
rates due to mosquito-borne illnesses. It will involve laboratory and field trials
protection with synthetic alternatives, and explore its safety profile for human
use.
Additionally, the study will quantify the reduction in absenteeism and associated
Objectives Surveys and observational studies will be conducted to evaluate the acceptance
Lastly, the study will analyze absenteeism rates before and after the introduction
impact.
This project aims to investigate the effectiveness of CitraNella Scent and its
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efficacy, safety, and acceptance of lemongrass-based repellents among students,
teachers, and staff. By measuring absenteeism rates before and after the
aligns with the practical approach of addressing real-world issues faced by the
which are essential elements of the project as it involves testing and refining the
Success Success indicators for the project include a notable decrease in absenteeism rates
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Table 3. Time Schedule
Legend:
Task 1: Consultation and Project Conceptualization
Task 2: Project Proposal
Task 3: Project Approval
Task 4: Pilot Testing
Task 5: Post Pilot Testing Evaluation
Task 6: Send Request Letter to the Respondents
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Task 7: Project Implementation
Task 8: Analysis of Data Gathered
Task 9: Drawing Conclusions and Recommendations
Task 10: Presentation of Results
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