Research

As the national university, we champion and support innovative research that addresses the country’s most pressing challenges.

19 Mar 2026

A comprehensive study on the health and nutrition of older Filipino adults highlights the need for tailored interventions

Several local studies have been conducted among community-dwelling older Filipinos; however, data gaps in nutrition research exist. In particular, there...

Read More

18 Mar 2026

Libraries not only promote discourse but are also subjects of discourse themselves

In the past, libraries primarily served as channels for disseminating discourse through books, magazines, newspapers, and other important documents. Today,...

Read More

17 Mar 2026

A two-stage symptom detection model was developed to more accurately identify depression signs in social media posts

Depression is a health condition characterized by changes in mood, cognition, and behavior. According to the World Health Organization (WHO),...

Read More

16 Mar 2026

E-cigarettes may have less impact on the development of tooth decay and periodontal disease than traditional cigarettes

Cigarette smoking is a known risk factor for numerous health problems, including respiratory infections and cancers. It is also associated...

Read More

13 Mar 2026

“Halata” can now be used to refer to gay men who act straight, showing how the definition of kabaklaan in the Philippines is ever-changing

In the Philippines, representation of gays has long been dichotomous. There is the bakla, depicted as flamboyant, effeminate and low...

Read More

10 Mar 2026

Study develops a baseline econometric model to estimate potential hydrogen demand in Tarlac and explore hydrogen as an alternative energy source

This study aims to establish a baseline econometric model to inform the possible development of green hydrogen production in Tarlac....

Read More

09 Mar 2026

There is significant spatial clustering of traffic accident locations in Quezon City

The surge in urban vehicular traffic volume over the past decade has resulted in a rise in the occurrence of...

Read More

06 Mar 2026

Taken together, the oral narratives of families left behind by Duterte’s drug war reveal a shared understanding of political struggle and resistance

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is infamous for his war on drugs campaign, commonly known as Oplan Tokhang, which killed...

Read More

05 Mar 2026

Motherwork includes often difficult conversations as mothers try to regulate their adolescents’ social media use

This study rests on the premise that motherhood is composed of unaccounted invisible work. Moreover, motherhood is not a natural...

Read More

04 Mar 2026

There are some cases where individuals can reasonably believe in claims of miraculous events

When people claim that a miracle has happened—like someone suddenly healing from an incurable illness or holy bread turning into...

Read More

03 Mar 2026

Indigenous myths are closely connected to the lived experiences and ongoing struggle of the Lumad for self-determination

Myths that involve sacred spaces largely make up local knowledge among Indigenous Peoples across continents. Often, these myths are dismissed...

Read More

02 Mar 2026

Study uses machine learning to predict whether a patient is intoxicated due to pesticide exposure

In response to a growing human population, greater attempts to correspondingly increase agricultural production become necessary. To boost crop production,...

Read More

Research

From 2013 to 2021, the UP Manila Community Health and Development Program partnered with the province of Cavite and its five municipalities: Alfonso, Mendez, Indang, General Emilio Aguinaldo, and Amadeo (AMIGA). They aimed to improve control of hypertension and diabetes through interventions recommended by the Department of Health, particularly organizing community health clubs. This study sought to determine a community health club’s membership profile, its organization and maintenance processes, and the benefits, challenges, and enabling factors experienced.

This case study used a mixed-methods approach and was conducted in 2020 at the Challengers Health Club in Alfonso. Interviews with the club officers and barangay health workers were conducted to explore club processes, perceived benefits, challenges, and enabling factors. Health records were reviewed to determine the club’s membership profile. The community health club has seen an increase in membership since its establishment. Most members are elderly, female, non-smokers, and hypertensive. There was an increase in the proportion of members with controlled hypertension after two years, though this was not observed among those with diabetes. Perceived benefits for members were free, regular, and accessible services, improved knowledge and control of their condition, and the opportunity to socialize. Enabling factors identified were partnership with the university, teamwork and dedication of club leaders, effective management, and community support. Challenges experienced included limited funding and medicine supply, discontinuation of deployment of university students, and the COVID-19 pandemic. This study described valuable experiences of a community health club. Despite the challenges they encountered, the benefits of this intervention were reported due to support mechanisms in place.

There is little information on the status of implementation of the DOH guidelines on organizing health clubs for noncommunicable disease control in the country. Thus, data on this can help the community and public health institutions understand and maximize the benefits of organizing community health clubs.

Authors: Louricha A. Opina-Tan (Community Health and Development Program, University of the Philippines Manila) and Geohari L. Hamoy (Community Health and Development Program, University of the Philippines Manila)

Read the full paper: https://actamedicaphilippina.upm.edu.ph/index.php/acta/article/view/8101