Research Title Proposal

By

Cose, Mhendylean
Econar, Quennie April
Lacangan, Thea Yvonne
Laude, Kyla
Lim Pil, Mikhaila

BSN-3A

Ms. Hazel Faith B. Genabe

Research Adviser
 MAPPING

TITLE RESEARCH AGENDA

The impact of Disasters on the health of optimizing health resiliency with respect to
Residents living in slums and low-income disasters and health emergencies and
citizens emerging diseases

Investigate the impact of COVID-19 Health and Safety issues and its impact on the
vaccination as requirement in employment on psychological and emotional aspects of the
the willingness of employees to work and individual.
continue an effective workforce.

“Mask off”: A phenomenological study on Health and safety issues and its impact on the
rationalizing the wearing of face mask in psychological and emotional aspects of the
Cebu City. individual

The effect of Covid-19 in the routine Maternal and Child health issues
immunization to infants and children

To determine knowledge of HIV and AIDS Extent of communicable disease

and alcohol abuse pattern among patients with
alcoholism and its influence on sexual
behavior
Research Agenda: Optimizing health resiliency with respect to disasters and health emergencies
and emerging diseases

Research Title: The impact of Disasters on the health of Residents living in slums and low-
income citizens

Rationale

Natural disasters occur unexpectedly, and it is one of the causes of human deaths, people are still
making interventions and build houses and buildings that can withstand disasters to decrease the
impact of disasters and save many lives. There are also disasters that is manmade or accidental,
Thousands of reported accidents such as fire, Drought, pandemic and many more. Poverty is a
problem to many people which surviving or eating three times a day is getting more difficult
each day, Disasters entering their lives wrecking their homes it became more difficult to survive
day by day.  Poverty is one factor in vulnerability, a lot of studies has shown that the poor are
typically the ones who suffer the greatest from catastrophes. Poor people are less likely to be
able to invest in risk-reduction strategies and are more likely to reside in risky places. People in
poverty are frequently compelled to utilize their already meager resources to avert catastrophic
losses, which pushes them deeper into poverty. This is because they lack access to insurance and
social protection.

Disasters' effects on the poor might include, among other things, the complete loss of a person's
means of support, relocation, ill health, and food insecurity. Slum dwellers who are poor are
especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change, natural disasters, and man-made disasters.
They generally reside in parts of cities that are considered unattractive by others and are
therefore less expensive because they are the most susceptible places. Landslides, sea level rise,
flooding, and other dangers have an impact on residents. Risk exposure is made worse by
dangerous housing, insufficient infrastructure and services, overcrowding, poor nutrition, and ill
health. These circumstances can make a natural disaster or climate change hazard worse and
cause the loss of essential services, damage to or destruction of dwellings, loss of livelihoods,
starvation, illness, disability, and fatalities.

The Philippines is one of the poorest countries in the world which there is a lot of urban places
which a lot of residents that are prone to illness because of poor environment and because of the
disasters that occur they have much more difficulty in living day by day, also the prices
nowadays are high urban people are forced to et once a day which will lead to health risk and
malnutrition to children. The Filipino government is now fighting this issue by preparing to
remove the people who are most at risk; they have undoubtedly encountered resistance from the
squatters. But what exactly are the barriers to a successful relocation? To this day recent disasters
like Odette and karding destroying many Filipino houses and taking lives, evacuation centers are
still full of Residents that lost their homes and the lack of food increasing malnutrition and the
risk of health of older people and those people with illness.

This study aims to understand urban people why they live like this and how did they get to the
point of poverty, also raise voice to the higher ups that this issue is needed to have an action and
help those in need. It is clear in many ways that the poor are disproportionately impacted by
natural disasters. Poor people are almost always more susceptible to shocks, regardless of its
source, as any change in their asset or consumption level threatens their ability to survive and
their long-term prospects, and they are less equipped to manage risks or deal with the shock
when it occurs. Poor people benefit less from protection against hazards, mainly because of the
lack of infrastructure to protect them. Everyday health risks in urban informal settlements must
be considered for a better understanding of the full spectrum of urban risks. This is essential in
the establishment of efficient public health policies and intervention in urban areas, The poor
urban population faces a variety of risks owing to living conditions, from common dangers to
health risks. In fact, the health burden on residents of informal settlements is significant. Lack of
knowledge about poverty probably conceals a significant health burden that, in some situations,
may be avoided, and this deficiency impairs the effectiveness of remedial intervention in urban
settings.

A variety of social and economic variables that control rights and capacities influence disaster
risk. Directly influencing disaster risk and resilience are social and economic status, political
voice, and access to services. Low-quality and unstable housing is a major contributor to poor
communities' lack of access to essential services like communications, public transportation, and
infrastructure including roads, water, sanitation, and drainage. These various aspects of poverty
all have a negative impact on the mortality and morbidity rates for women, children, and the
elderly.

Future disaster risk for the world's poor is influenced by a number of factors, including
population growth, climate change, rising urbanization, and environmental degradation. The
frequency and severity of natural disasters have increased during the past few decades. Since
their citizens frequently lack the capacity to deal with or adjust to such events, particularly in the
case of recurring disasters, developing countries are most vulnerable to the hazards of disasters.
Given that cities are home to more than half of the world's population, disaster risk is
significantly increased by poorly planned and managed urban expansion. Nearly a billion urban
residents living in informal settlements are at risk of disasters due to inadequate housing, a lack
of infrastructure, and access to healthcare. The lives and livelihoods of people living in flood
plains, low lying coastal areas and steep slopes are particularly in danger.

Reference:

https://elibrary.worldbank.org/doi/abs/10.1596/978-0-8213-8845-7

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41885-020-00060-5

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/hec.4566

https://em.fsu.edu/research-informal.php

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S241464472030021X
https://www.preventionweb.net/understanding-disaster-risk/risk-drivers/poverty-
inequality#:~:text=The%20impact%20of%20disasters%20on,to%20eradicate%20poverty
%20by%202030.

https://reliefweb.int/report/world/poverty-causes-disasters-and-disasters-cause-poverty

Research Agenda: Health and Safety issues and its impact on the psychological and emotional
aspects of the individual.

Research Title: Investigate the impact of COVID-19 vaccination as requirement in employment

on the willingness of employees to work and continue an effective workforce.

Rationale

The Philippines constitution still holds no law requiring COVID-19 vaccination among
workers, as stated by the Department of Labor and Employment. But with the onset of the
pandemic, compliance with the COVID-19 vaccine has become a category of unjust
discrimination. Philippine lawmakers debate the need to mandate COVID-19 vaccination
programs among working industries requiring physical contact with customers. In 2021, House
Bill No. 10249, or the “Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Act” was filed by House
Representative Florida Robes. The bill imposes that COVID-19 vaccines should be mandatory
among qualified Filipino citizens. Refusal to take vaccines despite being eligible will face
penalties. Included in this legislative measure is an anti-discrimination clause for those in
exemption – people with conflicting religious beliefs and those with medical conditions
contraindicated with the vaccine.

In light of this issue, employers cannot simply dismiss or fire unvaccinated employees.
However, the Associated Labor Union (ALU) reported that companies are restricting,
reassigning, relocating to other branches, or suggesting a temporary leave for vaccine-hesitant
and unvaccinated employees. In a confusing time, the solution to the problem seems to be more
confusing. Employed Filipino citizens, who extensively contribute to the country, are coerced to
meet a dilemma to save their employment and keep personal autonomy, which rubs on the issue
against mandatory vaccination.

It is in this premise that the researchers came to contemplate how this matter will affect
the willingness of workers to continue working in a workplace under the mandate. Thus, the
researchers proposed to conduct a study investigating the impact of COVID-19 vaccination as a
requirement for employment on the willingness of employees and continue an effective
workforce. The target of the researchers for this study is to know the opinion of workers
concerning the mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination, and if this affects the psychological and
emotional perception of their work.

References:

Devio, L., & Maghanoy, C. C. (2021, July 30). Unvaccinated could face discrimination, govt

warned. The Manila Times. Retrieved October 9, 2022, from

https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/07/31/news/national/unvaccinated-could-face-

discrimination-govt-warned/1809132

Solon proposes mandatory COVID-19 jab; prison term for refusal. (2021, September 22).

Manila Bulletin. Retrieved October 9, 2022, from https://mb.com.ph/2021/09/22/solon-

proposes-mandatory-covid-19-jab-prison-term-for-refusal/

Mercado, N. A. (2021, September 22). Mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for eligible Filipinos

pushed in House. INQUIRER.net. Retrieved October 9, 2022, from

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1491340/mandatory-covid-19-vaccination-for-eligible-

filipinos-pushed-in-house

Philippines: COVID-19 vaccination not mandatory among employees except workers in the

restaurant industry, labour chief says. (n.d.). Business & Human Rights Resource Centre.
 Retrieved October 9, 2022, from

https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/latest-news/philippines-covid-19-vaccination-

not-mandatory-among-employees-except-workers-in-the-restaurant-industry-labour-

chief-says/

Pazzibugan, D. Z. (2021, March 4). Employers can’t fire workers who refuse vaccine – Bello.

INQUIRER.net. Retrieved October 9, 2022, from

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1402747/labor-chief-employers-cant-fire-workers-who-

refuse-vaccine

Research Agenda: Health and safety issues and its impact on the psychological and emotional
aspects of the individual

Research Title: “Mask off”: A phenomenological study on rationalizing the wearing of face
mask in Cebu City.

Rationale

Coronavirus disease most commonly known as the COVID-19 virus is defined as a respiratory
disease that is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which
originated in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China (CDC, 2019) It was initially reported to the
WHO on December 31, 2019. On January 30, 2020, the WHO then declared the COVID-19
outbreak a global health emergency. (Gallegos A., 2020)

According to the WebMD, LLC of 2022, COVID-19 virus mainly spread from person to person
only to differ in its type of transmission and they identified 4. The first one is through droplets,
or aerosols. This is when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. The tiny particles of the
droplets which is the carrier of the virus travels through the air. It would then enter through your
mouth or nose which serves as the portal of entry of the virus. That is when the social distancing
took place. Anyone that is within 6 feet from the person that is infected, could possibly acquire
the virus. The second one is through airborne transmission. Study shows that the virus usually
lives in the air for up to 3 hours. If someone who is infected breaths out and you breathe the air
in, it would get into your lungs that would also lead to an infection. The 3 rd mode of transmission
that was identified was the surface transmission. This are through surfaces such as doorknobs,
countertops, or anything that are contaminated by the virus through sneezing or coughing of an
infected person. Normally, after touching an area, we could just touch any part of our body,
including our face. However, in this time of pandemic, it is not applicable. If possible, if we
touch a common object (an object that are touched by the many), we should wash our hands
directly. The 4th and the last mode of transmission is the fecal-oral. Although the experts are not
sure whether a contact with an infected person’s stool are contagious or not, studies still suggest
that there are virus particles present in an infected person’s stool or feces. If that infected person
uses a bathroom without washing their hands, they could contaminate or infect things and people
that they touch.

There are many ways to prevent the transmission of the COVID-19 virus. According to the
World Health Organization (WHO), we should keep our selves safe through following these
preventive measures: physical distancing of 1 meter at the very least, by frequently washing of
hands using an alcohol-based solution or soap and water, by covering our mouth and nose using
a tissue or our elbow, through self-isolation if you are experiencing a flu like symptoms or worst
if you have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, avoiding a crowded place or environment in
which you could acquire the virus, and through COVID-19 vaccination. The COVID-19 vaccines
that the WHO have an emergency use listing are the Pfizer/BioNTech Comirnaty vaccine (31
December 2020), the SII/COVISHIELD and AstraZeneca/AZD1222 vaccines (16 February
2021), the Janssen/Ad26.COV 2.S vaccine developed by Johnson & Johnson (12 March 2021),
the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (30 April 2021), the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine (7 May
2021), the Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine (1 June 2021), the Bharat Biotech BBV152 COVAXIN
vaccine (3 November 2021), the Covovax (NVX-CoV2373) vaccine (17 December 2021), and
the Nuvaxovid (NVX-CoV2373) vaccine (20 December 2021). Lastly, the easiest way to prevent
the transmission of the virus is the wearing of face mask. There are ways on how to properly
wear our mask. The first one is to make sure that it covers the half of our face including our nose,
face, and chin, then before putting on the mask, we should make sure to clean it, before and after
using it. We also need to make sure to not touch the front surface of our mask since it is the most
contaminated one, and lastly, wearing mask with valves could not help in preventing the virus.

Last month, September 2022, executive order no. 03 of the Republic of the Philippines allowed
the voluntary wearing of face mask in outdoor settings. However, individuals who are not fully
vaccinated, or the senior citizens, and those immunocompromised individuals are still
encouraged to always wear face mask since these individuals are more prone in acquiring the
COVID-19 infection. Not long ago, last June of the year 2022, the news about the optional
wearing of face mask in well-ventilated and open spaces were buzzing. It is not the national
government who made the amendment, it is in Cebu City. Last August 31, 2022, Mayor Michael
Rama of Cebu City have issued an executive order no. 5 which stated that wearing of face mask
in an outdoor setting will only be voluntary except in a medical facility. The amendment also
stated that it would only be up to the business establishments or building managers if they would
still require the wearing of facemask. The department of Health undersecretary Maria Rosario
Vergeire then opposed the mandate of the City regarding the lifting of facemask protocol stating
that one city should not make their own COVID-19 policies. According to her, to prevent mass
infection, we would need to follow accordingly, and as a one. She also noted that the Cebu City
government official did not seek for any advice from the Department of Health.

Along with the issues concerning this topic, the researchers want to be enlightened on the extent
of knowledge the people in the community have especially that, the COVID-19 pandemic was
already around for almost 3 years, and how they coped up with the changes in their life. How
they feel about wearing the face mask and its impact in making them protected from the virus.
Are they happy with the uplifting of face mask ordinance in which it could now be voluntary, or
would they stay on how it used to and wear their face mask voluntarily.

References:
WHO Declares Public Health Emergency for Novel Coronavirus. (2020, January 30). Medscape.

Retrieved October 9, 2022, from https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/924596

Starkman, E. (2020, March 19). How Does Coronavirus Spread? WebMD. Retrieved October 9,

2022, from https://www.webmd.com/lung/coronavirus-transmission-overview

Advice for the public. (n.d.). Retrieved October 9, 2022, from

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Vaccines. (n.d.). Retrieved October 9, 2022, from

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/question-and-

answers-hub/q-a-detail/coronavirus-disease-(covid-19)-vaccines?

adgroupsurvey={adgroupsurvey}

Israel, D. K. D. V. (2022, September 1). ‘Freedom to choose:’ Face masks no longer required in

Cebu City. INQUIRER.net. Retrieved October 9, 2022, from

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1656535/freedom-to-choose-face-masks-no-longer-required-

in-cebu-city
Research Agenda: Maternal and Child health issues

Research Title: THE EFFECT OF COVID-19 IN THE ROUTINE IMMUNIZATION TO

INFANTS AND CHILDREN

Rationale

The COVID-19 pandemic is causing disruptions in routine child immunization programs

all across the world and endangering the advancements made in the control of Vaccine
Preventable

Diseases (VPDs ) over the previous two decades. One of the most difficult and alarming public

health disasters of the past century is the coronavirus illness of 2019 (COVID-19). The COVID-

19 pandemic has a significant impact on the provision of essential health services and placed a

significant burden on national healthcare systems and economies. The unprecedented spread of
COVID-19 and its characteristics have highlighted the need for prompt solutions.

More than 80 million children worldwide, particularly in developing countries, are affected

by routine immunization programs that have been seriously disrupted in at least 68 countries,

according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Children and infants must maintain current

immunizations because they guard against dangerous infections. According to GMA news ,

Philippines’ measles, rubella cases now 153% higher year-on-year at 450. A total of 450 measles

and rubella cases were recorded from January 1 to September 17, 2022, which was 153% higher

than those recorded during the same period last year, the Department of Health (DOH) said

Wednesday. Two individuals also reportedly died in August and September due to measles and

rubella. This posed a 0.4% case fatality rate. According to the World Health Organization
(WHO),

measles is a “highly contagious, serious” disease caused by a virus that is usually transmitted

through direct contact and through the air. Its symptoms include high fever, runny nose, a cough,

red and watery eyes, small white spots or rashes. DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire

on Tuesday warned against an impending measles outbreak in 2023 due to the low complete

immunization coverage among Filipino children. She said that there are almost 3 million children

in the country who have not yet received any of the two doses of the measles vaccine.

This will have a big impact on how other chronic diseases and illnesses that can be avoided

are managed. One of the most effective and beneficial public health interventions that could
reduce

the morbidity and death rates of diseases that can be prevented by vaccination is childhood

immunization. The researcher aims to determine if delivering newborn immunization services

during the epidemic presents any challenges.

Reference :

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8855492/

https://www.unicef.org/turkiye/en/stories/routine-vaccinations-during-covid-19-what-

parents-need-know

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/847018/p

hilippines-measles-rubella-cases-now-153-higher-year-on-year-at-450/story/%3famp

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00512-X/fulltext

https://www.unicef.org/eap/stories/impact-covid-19-routine-vaccinations

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/immunization-coverage

Research title: To determine knowledge of HIV and AIDS and alcohol abuse pattern among
patients with alcoholism and its influence on sexual behavior

Research agenda: Extent of Communicable disease

Rationale
 Alcohol consumption is highly prevalent in the general population and among HIV-infected
population. This study aimed to compare the pattern of alcohol consumption and to describe
characteristics associated with heavy alcohol consumption in individuals from the general
population with patients infected with HIV. Participants for this analysis came from a
population-based cross-sectional study and from a consecutive sampling of patients infected with
HIV. Participants aged 18 years or older were interviewed using similar questionnaires with
questions pertaining to socio-demographic characteristics, alcohol consumption, smoking,
physical activity, and HIV-related characteristics, among others. Blood pressure and
anthropometric measures were measured using standardized procedures. Weekly alcohol
consumption was more prevalent among individuals from the general population than HIV-
infected patients: 57.0 vs. 31.1%, P<0.001. The prevalence of heavy episodic drinking was
higher in the population sample as well: 46.1 vs. 17.0%, P<0.001. In the general population,
heavy alcohol consumption was more prevalent in men. Cigarette smoking was independently
associated with heavy alcohol consumption among HIV infected (Prevalence Ratio; PR = 5.9;
95%CI 2.6-13.9; P<0,001) and general population (PR = 2.6; 95%CI 1.9-3.0; P<0.001). Years at
school were inversely associated with heavy alcohol consumption among HIV-infected patients
and directly associated among participants from the general population, even after controlling for
sex, age, skin color, and smoking.

Heavy alcohol consumption is more prevalent in the general population than among HIV-
infected patients. Individuals aware about their disease may reduce the amount of alcoholic
beverages consumption comparatively to healthy individuals from the general population.

References:

Schiller JS L J, Ward BW, Peregoy JA. Summary health statistics for U.S. adults:
National Health Interview Survey, 2010. CDC, 2012. - PubMed

Ghosh S, Samanta A, Mukherjee S. Patterns of alcohol consumption among male

adults at a slum in Kolkata, India. Journal of health, population, and nutrition.
2012;30: 73–81. - PMC - PubMed

Atwoli L, Mungla PA, Ndung'u MN, Kinoti KC, Ogot EM. Prevalence of
substance use among college students in Eldoret, western Kenya. BMC
psychiatry. 2011;11: 34 10.1186/1471-244X-11-34 - DOI - PMC - PubMed

Li TK. Quantifying the risk for alcohol-use and alcohol-attributable health

disorders: present findings and future research needs. Journal of gastroenterology
and hepatology. 2008;23: S2–8. 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2007.05298.x
- DOI - PubMed

Laranjeira R, Pinsky I, Sanches M, Zaleski M, Caetano R. Alcohol use patterns

among Brazilian adults. Rev Bras Psiquiatr. 2010;32: 231–241. S1516-
44462009005000012. - PubMed