Background: Public health workers play significant roles in communities in terms of disaster management. Disaster risk reduction management laws and country plans serve as the legal basis and framework in preparing for, mitigating, and responding to a disaster. Objective: This study was conducted to assess the knowledge and practices of Rural Health Unit (RHU) personnel on disaster preparedness. Methodology: A descriptive survey design using a self-report questionnaire developed by the researchers obtained from the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (PDRRM) Act of 2010 and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan (NDRRMP) 2011-2028 was employed. Via total enumeration, participants from eight RHUs in Aurora Province voluntarily consented to take part. The data were analyzed by employing descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, and measure of central tendency or median by SPSS statistics. Results: The majority of the participants were aged 55 years and above (25.90%), females (78.42%), and were Rural Health Midwives (RHMs) (39.57%). One hundred and thirty-eight (99%) of the RHU personnel in Aurora Province were found to be knowledgeable about disaster preparedness and 90 (65%) of the participants had practiced activities in this regard. Conclusion The Rural Health Unit (RHU) personnel of Aurora Province are knowledgeable about disaster preparedness and its practices. Public health workers with these characteristics are pillars of strength for the local government units (LGUs). They can continue to enhance comprehensive disaster preparedness education programs in their communities, and assist their LGUs during municipal disaster management planning.
Knowledge

Background and Objective: Breast cancer remains one of the top leading morbidity and mortality among women within the country and around the world. Breast self-examination has been considered as a safe and easy to perform screening procedure to detect breast lumps and swelling. This study was conducted to determine knowledge on breast cancer and breast self-examination among public-school teachers. Methodology: A cross-sectional design was employed involving 348 professional teachers in Aurora, Philippines in April 2019. Self-report questionnaire derived from literatures was used to generate participants' knowledge on breast cancer and breast self-examination. Descriptive statistics like frequency, percentages and averages were used in data analysis. Results: Majority of the participants are females (83.3%) whose age is between 31-40 years old (37.9%). Three hundred twenty-seven (94%) participants have knowledge on breast cancer while two hundred ninety four (84.48%) of them have knowledge on breast self-examination. Conclusion Professional teachers have knowledge on breast cancer and breast self-examination however, health care providers and concerned health agencies need to continue and enhance comprehensive health education about breast cancer and breast self-examination to teachers. It is essential that awareness program about these need to be integrated to teacher's training programs or professional development activities.
Breast Neoplasms ; Breast Self-Examination ; Health Education

Background: People from rural communities are not spared from COVID-19. But implementing preventive measures and strategies can be made to control the spread. Objective: This study was conducted to describe the epidemiologic situation and the healthcare capacity of the locality, determine the responses and strategies implemented in the control of COVID-19, and explain the activities performed in relation to the epidemiologic situation in Tarangnan, Samar – a low-income class municipality in the Philippines. Methods: A mixed qualitative–quantitative design was employed in this study. Descriptive documentary research design through review of records from March to October 2020 was utilized. For the qualitative context, a case study design was employed whereby focus group discussions and key informant interviews using open-ended questions were performed. Results: A total of 66 individuals were recorded as having COVID-19 in the municipality from March to October 2020. The first recorded confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Eastern Visayas were two adults in Tarangnan, Samar, in March 2020. Since then, additional confirmed cases have been recorded every month, but confirmed COVID-19 dramatically reduced from August to October 2020. Qualitative analysis revealed stringent COVID-19 preventive measures reflected in the confirmed case numbers. The tailwinds of the COVID-19 response include: the SARS pandemic precedent, coordination and communication, outpouring of support from other government and nongovernment partners, and innovative community-based approaches. The headwinds of COVID-19 response were challenges in imposing minimum health and safety precautions, stigmatization, and discrimination. Conclusion Even if challenges have arisen in implementing measures against the spread of the disease, good outcomes have been achieved through persistent good practice, positive modifications, and community-based innovations.
Community Participation ; Community Health Services ; COVID-19 ; Rural Health ; Philippines