FACTORS AFFECTING THE FAMILY PLANNING PROGRAM DROP-OUT RATE IN BUKIDNON

By Lita Palma-Sealza

Statistics have shown that during the early 1990's close to one-half of all family planning acceptors were dropping out of the government family planning program annually. This study which was conducted in the Bukidnon province in Mindanao Philippines, examines the extent of the drop-out problem in the study area, the reasons given for stopping FP, and the characteristics of drop-outs as compared to those who continued using FP.

FACTORS AFFECTING UTILIZATION OF BARANGAY HEALTH CENTERS: A SURVEY STUDY

Lita Palma-Sealza

This survey study investigates why despite intensive government efforts to upgrade the health stations throughout the country, many sick people including those with limited economic means, opt not to avail of the services offered by the Barangay Health Stations.

In analyzing the factors that affects the utilization of the services offered by the health centers, the study identified three major categories of health service utilization determinants namely: predisposing characteristics of the population at risk; enabling characteristics such as income; and lastly, consumer satisfaction such as perception of courtesy, information, and cost.

GENDER AND SEXUALITY AMONG THE YOUNG ADULTS OF CARAGA

By Lita Palma-Sealza, Aurora E. Perez, and Isaias S. Sealza

Studies in Caraga have shown that there are more employed males than females, the rural employment rate is higher than the urban employment rate, women are three times the number of men employed in mining and quarrying; and majority of the husbands prevail in making major family decisions. This study documents gender and sexual behavior of the young adults of the region.

Aside from examining the relationship between gender and sexuality and the social, demo-graphic, economic and political conditions and opportunities with focus on the youth of Caraga, the study identified policy gaps to bring to the attention of policy makers and local planners the concerns for the well-being of adolescents and youth and marginalized youth groups. In addition, the study establishes areas for possible intervention where gender, sexuality, and related issues and concerns can be dealt with effectively, efficiently and equitably towards sustained development.

As a whole, the study situated the gender and sexuality concerns of the adolescent and youth against the entire reproductive age range of 15-49 years old of the population in Caraga Region.