Community Needs Assessment of Village Opao, Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines

Mauro Allan P. Amparado (1) Grace E. Colonia (2)

University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue, Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines

(1) Director, Community Awareness, Relations & Extension Services, UCLM; [email protected]; ORCID No. 0000-0002-2742-2508 (2) Faculty, College of Criminology, UCLM

Abstract

The conduct of extension services in partner communities addresses the fourth function of a university: community extension. It is essential for the university to provide opportunities of learning and assistance to residents in the community especially those who has no access to education or work opportunities. The lessons learned by students in the classroom and the knowledge and skills of teachers and non-teaching staff should cascade to partner communities.

This descriptive quantitative survey conducted in 2016, sampled 100 mothers in Village Opao, Mandaue City, Cebu to ascertain the community needs assessment prior to implementation of extension activities. Village Opao, Mandaue City is officially adopted by University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue in 2016 as its second partner community. The research instrument was created by the researchers with questions on 4 sections: personal information, housing and environment, health, and community organizations.

The mothers were purposively identified with the following inclusion criteria: 16 to 80 years old, with a child/with children and registered in the village as a voter. Descriptive statistics specifically mode was used.

Researchers have identified that the sustainable programs of the university for Village Opao, Mandaue City shall include literacy, livelihood, backyard gardening, livestock raising, flooding, family planning, administration of tetanus toxoid, and community participation programs.

Keywords: PRECEDE-PROCEED Model; Community Needs Assessment; Village Opao; Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines; Literacy; Livelihood

Recommended citation: Amparado, M. A. P. & Colonia, Grace E. (2020). Community Needs Assessment of Village Opao, Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines. Cebu Journal of Teacher Education, 1(1), 83-100.

Introduction

University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue (UCLM), a higher education institution in the Philippines, lives up to its vision to democratize quality education, be the visionary and industry leader, and give hope and transform lives. A university has 4 functions: research, instruction, production, and community extension. As it addresses the 4th function of the university, UCLM extends its services to partner communities and organizations. In accordance with the pertinent provisions of Republic Act No. 7722 otherwise known as the Higher Education Act of 1994, and to further promote and enhance relevant and quality higher education in the country and the Commission on Higher Education Memorandum Order No. 48 Series of 1996, higher education institution must have a credible community extension program which may take the form of continuing education, application of research results, community service and the like (www.ched.gov.ph).

Thus, in 2016, UCLM opened a new partnership with Village Opao, Mandaue City as its 2nd partner community. But before the institution can implement activities in the community, it is essential to assess the needs of the residents.

A good community profile will ensure that the real needs of communities are addressed by development programs and projects. It involves research and systematic consultation with community stakeholders and project beneficiaries before the project is designed and implemented. Problems and needs must be identified and will involve the people who are meant to benefit from the project design. Potential problems if identified early, and a good assessment will help measure reactions, preferences and priorities before any final decisions are made (Cuevas, 2007).

The theoretical background of this study is anchored on Lawrence Greene and Phil Rabonowitz' PRECEDE- PROCEED model that provides a comprehensive structure for assessing health and quality-of-life needs and for designing, implementing, and evaluating health promotion and other public health programs to meet those needs. Precede is an acronym that stands for (Predisposing, Reinforcing, and Enabling Constructs in Educational Diagnostic and Evaluation) which outlines a diagnostic planning process to assist in the development of targeted and focused public health programs. Proceed stands for Policy, Regulatory, and Organizational Constructs in Educational and Environmental Development which guides the implementation and evaluation of the programs designed using Precede (Dolan, 2001).

The Precede model consist of five phases. Phase one is the Social Diagnosis. It involves determining the quality of life of social problems and needs of a given population. This is best accomplished by involving the people in a self-study of their needs and aspirations, thus subjectively defined. The kinds of social problems a community experience are a practical and accurate barometer of its quality of life (Kreuter, 200).

The second phase is the Epidemiological Diagnosis. It consists of identifying the health determinants that may contribute to the social goals or problems identified in phase 1. Using available data, information generated by appropriate investigations and epidemiological and medicine findings, the planner ranks the several health problems identified. These data may include disability, discomfort, fertility, fitness, morbidity, mortality, physiological risk factors and their dimensions (distribution, duration, functional level, incidence, longevity and prevalence).

Phase 3 is the Behavioral and Environmental Diagnosis. This involves analyzing the behavioral and environmental determinants of the health problems. Because these are the risk factors that the invention is tailored to affect, they must be very specifically identified and carefully ranked. Environmental factors are those external to an individual, often to support the behavior, health or quality of life of that person or others affected by the person's actions. Behavioral factors include compliance, consumption patterns, coping, preventive actions, self-care and utulization. These indicators can be expressed in the dimensions of frequency, persistance, promptness, quality and range. Environmental indicators include economic, physical, services, and social; their dimensions include access, affordability and equity (Kreuter, 2000).

In phase 4 which is the Educational and Organizational Diagnosis, the factors that predispose to, reinforce, and enable the behaviors and lifestyles are identified. Predisposing factors include a person's or population's knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, values, and perceptions that facilitate or hinder motivation for change. Enabling factors are those skills, resources, or barriers that can help or hinder the desired behavioral changes as well as environmental changes. They can be viewed as vehicles or barriers, created mainly by societal forces or systems. Facilities and personal or community resources may be ample or inadequate, as income or health insurance, and laws and statues may be supportive or restrictive. The skills required for a desired behavior to occur also qualify as enabling factors. Enabling factors thus include all the factors that make possible desired change in behavior or in the environment. Reinforcing factors are the rewards received, and the feedback the learner receives from others following adoption of the behavior (Spradley, 2001).

Phase 5 is the Administrative and Policy Diagnosis. It involves ascertaining which health promotion, health education and/or policy-related interventions would best be suited to encouraging the desired changes in the behaviors or environments and in the factors that support those behaviors and environments (Kreuter, 2000).

The PROCEED model is composed of four additional phases. In phase six, the interventions identified in phase five are implemented. Phase 7 entails process evaluation of those interventions. Phase 8 involves evaluating the impact of the interventions on the factors supporting behavior, and on behavior itself. The 9th and last phase comprises outcome evaluation, that is, determining the ultimate effects of the interventions on the health and quality of life of the population (Kreuter, 2000).

In actual practice, PRECEDE and PROCEED function in a continuous cycle. Information gathered in Precede guides the development of program goals and objectives in the implementation phase of PROCEED. This same information also provides the criteria against which the success of the program is measured in the evaluation phase of Proceed. In turn, the date gathered in the implementation and evaluation phase of PROCEED clarify the relationships examined in PRECEDE between the health or quality-of-life outcomes, the behaviors and environment that influence them, and the factors that lead to the desired behavioral and environmental changes. These data also suggest how programs may be modified to more closely reach their goals and targets (Kreuter, 2000).

Related Studies

In the study of Amparado, Camayra, Dorio Jr. & Patindol, the researchers profiled Village Looc, Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines. Data was collected in 2008 and 2016. The study showed that in 2008, the community residents’ needs were solid waste management, literacy, and livelihood programs. In 2016, the needs were solid waste management, literacy, health education, greening management, livelihood, livestock raising, and community participation programs (2017). One study examines the usefulness of an integrated approach to needs assessment using an empowerment framework, within a health visitor/client interaction, in the home setting. It is intended to demonstrate the existence of a flexible approach to assessing need that is based on research about necessary processes for carrying out health visiting. The design of the tool described in this paper allows the use of professional judgement as well as fulfilling commissioning requirements to address health outcomes. Health promotion and empowerment are central to health visiting practice and should be reflected in the way needs are assessed. Many NHS trusts have introduced a system of targeting and prioritizing health visiting through a system of questioning to assess needs. This may reveal the work that health visitors do, but may also inhibit the open, listening approach required for client empowerment. Different methods of assessing need can be used that do not compromise the commissioning requirements, the health visitor's duty of care or professional accountability. The empowerment approach is key to the philosophy of health visiting. There are ways of approaching needs assessment that do not compromise the ethos of partnership-working in a health promoting way (Houston & Cowley, 2002).

Methods

This survey was conducted in 2016. The researchers utilized the descriptive quantitative design. A sample of 100 mothers in Village Opao, Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines was used. The research instrument was created by the researchers with questions on 4 sections: personal information, housing and environment, health, and community organizations. The mothers were purposively identified with the following inclusion criteria: 16 to 80 years old, with a child/with children and has resided for at least 5 years in the village. Descriptive statistics specifically mode was used.

Results and Discussion

Table 1 shows the demographics of the respondents and their husbands. The majority of the mother were high school graduates whereas their husbands were high school level in terms of education. Most of the respondents and their husbands were Roman Catholics and unemployed. They have resided in Village Opao for more than 30 years. The family structure is extended. The combined monthly income was more than 5,000 Philippine pesos. Most have 2- 3 children. Table 1. Demographics of the Respondents

Highest educational attainment of the f respondents No schooling 4 Elementary level 20 Elementary graduate 15 High School level 19 High School graduate 29 College level 9 College graduate 4 Highest educational attainment of the respondents’ husbands No schooling 11 Elementary level 19 Elementary graduate 7 High School level 29 High School graduate 20 College level 11 College graduate 3 Employment status of the respondents Permanent 16 Contractual 13 Self-employed 11 Unemployed 60 Employment status of respondents’ husbands Permanent 29 Contractual 20 Self-employed 17 Unemployed 34 Religion of the respondents Roman Catholic 100 Religion of the respondents’ husbands Roman Catholic 95 Protestant 3 Iglesia ni Cristo 2 Length of stay in the barangay 0-5 years 11 6-10 years 5 11-15 years 4 16-20 years 6 21-25 years 12 26-30 years 10 More than 30 years 52 Family structure Nuclear 51 Extended 19 Single Parent 15 Live-in or cohabiting 15 Combined Monthly Income in Pesos 5001 and above 48 4001 to 5000 6 3001 to 4000 11 2001 to 3000 4 1001-2000 2 Less than 1000 29 Number of children 1 19 2 22 3 24 4 9 5 21 More than 5 6

In table 2, most of the residents practice segregation of wastes. They owned their toilet facility (water-sealed with septic tank). The households have open drainage and the food was not refrigerated but covered. Source of drinking water was from piped commercial sources. At home, mothers stored water in jars with faucet.

Similar to Village Looc, Mandaue City, the households utilized concrete and wood as materials for housing. Mothers claimed that they owned the house. It was observed that mothers are not engaged in gardening and livestock raising.

In terms of health, pre-natal check-up and tetanus toxoid was availed whenever pregnant. Majority of the mothers did not utilize any family planning method.

Mothers have claimed that a family member was sick in the last 6 months and they have utilized the medical and dental services in the Barangay Health Center. Desired and actual number of children is 3. Table 2. Housing and Environment

Garbage Disposal F Burning 17 Compost pit 2 Use of plastics 8 Trash cans (not segregated) 28 Trash cans (segregated) 45 Toilet Facility Owned toilet facility 76 Communal toilet facility 24 If the toilet is owned, what type? Water-sealed with septic tank 53 Flush but not water sealed 21 Antipolo style (not flushed) 2 Type of drainage in the household Closed drainage 32 Open drainage 68 Food storage Refrigerated 30 Not refrigerated but covered 53 Not refrigerated and not covered 17 Source of Drinking Water Piped and commercial sources 51 Artesian well 5 Open dug well 44 Storage of drinking water Refrigerator 19 Jar with faucet 61 Jar without faucet 10 Pail with dipper 1 Pail without dipper 9 Materials of housing construction Concrete 7 Concrete and wood 57 Wood 32 Sacks and plastic materials 4 Home ownership House is owned 58 Living with relatives 13 Renting 29 Backyard Gardening Yes 23 No 77 Type of Gardening Vegetables and fruits 8 Vegetables only 15 Livestock Raising Yes 31 No 69 Type of Livestock Pigs 1 Carabao 1 Cow 1 Chicken 24 Goat 4 C. Health

Pre-natal check-up availed whenever pregnant Yes 73 No 27 Tetanus Toxoid Availed Yes 51 No 49 Family Planning Method currently used Not using any family planning method 47 Rhythm Method 8 Withdrawal 5 Lactational amenorrhea 1 Contraceptive pills 14 Intrauterine device 15 Condom 3 Injectables 2 Bilateral Tubal Ligation 5 Desired Number of children 1 22 2 22 3 26 4 14 5 7 More than 5 9 Family member sick within the last 6 months Yes 37 No 63 Utilization of medical & dental check- up at the Health Center (within the last 6 months) Yes 62 No 38

In the aspect of community organization, mothers claimed that they are not members of community organizations. For those who were involved, they have joined the religious and women’s groups. For those who were not members of any organization, they would like to join the religious, women, and health groups. D. Community Organization

Member of any community F organization Yes 31 No 69 Membership in community organization (multiple responses) Religious 60 Women 18 Health 3 Literacy/education 1 Youth 1 Senior citizen group 4 Social and civic group 4 Sports 2 If you are not a member, will you be interested in joining a community organization? Yes 57 No 12 Which group will you join? (multiple responses) Religious 23 Women 18 Health 9 Youth 2 Senior citizen 8 Social and civic group 4

The respondents were requested to identify problems that the university should help them address. The top five problems to be addressed by the university includes the following: drainage problems (68); flooding (62); garbage (35); employment (10); and road repairs (9).

Conclusion

Literature Cited

Amparado, M. A. P., Camayra, M. T., Dorio Jr., P. A., & Patindol, D. B. (2017). Sustainable community extension programs for village Looc, Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines: The 8th Year re- assessment. IAMURE, 19(1): 102-114.

Cuevas, F. P. L. (2007). Public health nursing in the Philippines. Manila: Publications Committee, National League of Philippine Government Nurses, Inc.

Dolan, J. (2001). Nursing in society. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders.

Houston, A. M., & Cowley, S. (2002). An empowerment approach to needs assessment in health visiting practice. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 11(5), 640-650.

Kreuter, M. W. (2000). Health promotion planning: An educational and ecological approach. Mountain View, CA: Mayfield. Spradley, B. W. (2001). Reading in community health nursing. University of Minnesota. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott Company. http://www.ched.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/CMO- No.48-s1996.pdf