RESEARCHERS from the Faculty of Pharmacy and UST Research Center for Social Sciences and Education (RCSSEd) won second place in the Scientific Poster Competition of the Annual Scientific Conference of the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) last June 30.
Asst. Prof. Jay Jazul and his research group authored the research poster titled “Initial Assessment of the Information Education Campaign (IEC) Materials for Pediatric Tuberculosis in selected informal urban community settlers.”
The objective of the paper was to develop information materials for caregivers of children living with tuberculosis, Jazul told the Varsitarian in an online interview.
“Pediatric tuberculosis (TB) is a social health problem that needs to be addressed due to its impact on the family and community as well,” he said.
The group visited informal settlers from Baseco compound in Manila, the Payatas area in Quezon City and Bagong Silang in Caloocan City to gather people’s perceptions on the disease.
“Information gaps and misconception on tuberculosis were documented despite existing healthcare structures,” Jazul said.
They also found misinterpretations of medication and evidence of misinformation on the disease and its conditions, he said.
“Therefore, we came up with Information Education Campaign (IEC) materials such as video presentation, comic material and a calendar,” Jazul said.
The calendar serves as a guide for mothers or caregivers of children with pediatric TB on how to properly use anti-TB medication.
Through funding from the NRCP, the researchers were able to produce and distribute the materials to selected households.
Jazul said his team was hoping the study would be used by the Department of Health as well as other medical professional organizations, particularly in crafting policy.
Other members of the research group were Asst. Prof. Maria Carinnes Gonzales, Asst. Prof. Carol Geraldine Pablo, Solomon Sarne, Lora Kimberly Cabalbag and Edlynne Martinez. M.L.M. Galang
