Date of Completion

2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Keywords

Level of awareness, Maternal and Child Health (MCH)

Abstract

This study assessed the awareness of Maternal and Child Health (MCH) programs among teenage mothers in selected barangays of Bacoor City, Cavite. Respondents were chosen based on their eligibility and availability to complete the questionnaire. The top ten barangays with the highest rates of teenage pregnancy, according to the 2023 statistical data from the Bacoor City Health Office, were selected and visited for data gathering. Using a descriptive quantitative-analytical research design, 178 teenage mothers aged 13–19 years participated through purposive and convenience sampling. The study created a questionnaire based on the Health Belief Model developed by Becker and Maiman in 1975. Data were gathered via a validated survey instrument and analyzed through descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA. The results reveal that 91.0% of respondents had a very high level of awareness regarding Maternal and Child Health programs, with 8.4% showing high awareness and only 0.6% exhibiting low awareness. Immunization was the most recognized service, particularly free vaccinations at the Barangay Health Center, where respondents understood the role of vaccines in disease prevention and confidently adhered to their vaccination schedules. Teenage mothers also showed significant awareness of nutrition counseling (M = 3.83) and mental health services post-childbirth (M = 3.69). However, present barriers such as time, transportation, and financial constraints limited access to antenatal (M = 1.95) and postnatal (M = 2.24) visits. Despite high awareness of family planning services (M = 3.79), concerns about side effects (M = 3.29) hindered the usage of these contraceptives, indicating a gap between knowledge and actual service utilization. Notable differences in awareness were found based on parity (p = 0.014), support systems (p = 0.001), and sources of information (p = 0.005), but not by educational attainment (p > 0.05). The study concluded that most teenage mothers, although young, were relatively well-informed about the MCH services accessible in their barangays. Strong family support and active engagement with healthcare professionals helped foster this awareness. The research emphasized the vital role of barangay health centers, especially through direct interaction methods like home visits and consultations. In light of these findings, several recommendations were formulated. Teenage mothers were encouraged to seek help and remain proactive in learning about healthcare services. Health facilities were urged to expand their outreach using printed materials and house-to-house campaigns. Nursing education programs were advised to create interactive community modules targeting teenage mothers. Lastly, future research was recommended to examine the frequency of program usage, study larger populations, and include more remote areas to assess broader patterns in maternal health awareness.

First Advisor

Howell Kim E. Calupit, RN, MSPH, CIC

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