INTRODUCTION: A comparison of Nabannagan West, Lasam, Cagayan and Bantug, Roxas, Isabela was made by using the local health data on leading causes of morbidity and mortality gathered from the municipal health office and looking into the health seeking behaviours.
METHODS: Data was gathered via one-on-one interviews during the summer immersions last May 2010. Participants in the surveys were randomly selected families, with informed consent. Descriptive analysis was done.
RESULTS: There were no major differences in terms of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Major cause of morbidity was infection; lead cause of mortality was related to lifestyle. There was no major difference in health seeking behaviors of the two communities except for regularity of visiting health centers, making decisions on medical matters and threats to health. Bantug families would visit more the health centers and decide on medical matters mutually by the husband and wife; threats to health were those related to urban development.
CONCLUSION: The community health profiles of both communities were similar, reflective also of the overall rural Philippines, where much can be done in terms of primary health care.