Community Health Needs Assessment of Barangay Lourdes, Buhi, Camarines Sur: A Basis For A Community Extension Program

Abstract

The study assessed the community health needs of barangay Lourdes, Buhi, Camarines Sur as a basis for a community extension program. A community health assessment gives organizations comprehensive information about the community’s current health status, needs, and issues. This descriptive research utilized 277 residents of barangay Lourdes, Buhi as the key informants of the study. The data were gathered through the modified    questionnaire for Community Profiling and assessment and the Household Profiling form provided by the Department of Health. Percentage technique and weighted mean were used in analyzing the data gathered. Results revealed that mostly of the respondents are 41-50 years old, elementary graduate, skilled worker, lived in a semi-concrete type of dwelling, and deep well as the source of drinking water. Majority are female, with family monthly income of Php 5000- 15,000, and encountered cough and cold as their common health problems. Basic Life Support and First Aid training is the highly needed advocacy program and training needs of the respondents. Moreover, most of the respondents’ environmental needs are protection from industrial hazards, pesticide, dust and herbal plants utilization. Along physical needs, regular medical check-up and dental care are highly needed; for psychological needs, enough rest and sleep and stress management are moderately needed; for social needs, economic stability is highly needed and for spiritual needs, strong faith in God to heal illness is highly needed. Training on basic educational skills and health literacy to enhance the understanding and contribute in having a more productive and decent work, and an income generating livelihood training may be conducted to augment their income to sustain their basic food and non-food needs are some of the recommendations of the study.