Community health assessment and improvement plan for a geographically hard-to-reach area : a case study of Barangay Bagong Silang, Los Baños, Laguna

Date

2025

Adviser

Abriel S. Bulasag

Principal

Mabel S. Buela

Abstract

Access to health care remains a pressing challenge in geographically hard-to-reach areas (GHRAs), where social and economic barriers limit health care availability and quality. This study examines the case of a mountainous rural-classified barangay in Laguna, Philippines, to assess local health needs and formulate strategic interventions. Using a convergent parallel mixed-method approach, the study integrates document analysis, key informant interviews, in-depth interviews, a survey, and participatory rural appraisals to comprehensively explore rural health care dynamics, guided by the Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP) 2.0 process. After stakeholder analysis, rural health was assessed through three key components of the Beyond the Building Blocks framework: the social determinants of health, the household production of health, and the health system. The study revealed the critical role of local governance, particularly of regular municipal outreach and infrastructural restrictions due to forest protection, in health care delivery in the research locale. Participants identified the insufficiency of medicines, limited budget, and deficiencies in basic amenities at the barangay health center as the top issues in community health. In response, the study developed a community health improvement plan (CHIP) outlining actionable strategies for local health care improvement with three priorities: improved infrastructure and workforce capacity; enhanced service access; and strengthened barangay-municipality coordination. The study contributes to the broader discourse on equitable health care access by highlighting the intersection between health system outcomes and community-level determinants, especially in mountainous rural areas. The replication of the research methodology and instruments in other barangays can advance the role of participatory planning in improving community health. Overall, insights from this research can inform policy recommendations for sustainable health interventions in rural contexts, reinforcing commitments to inclusive and resilient health care systems for all.

Language

English

Location

UP Rural High School

Notes

To access this capstone, please contact the UP Rural High School Library at uprhslibrary.uplb@up.edu.ph. You may also visit the library in person, provided you secure prior confirmation from the librarian. We will be happy to assist you.

Document Type

Capstone

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