ABSTRACT
This study assessed the the knowledge and attitudes of the Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) in Baggao, Cagayan on basic first aid skills, in particular, in wound care, stroke management, toxic exposure, burns and choking. A validated questionnaire was conducted on 200 respondents in the quantitative-descriptive correlational research design. The data has been interpreted using both descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. Using Cronbach’s alpha, the internal consistency was excellent and very good as the coefficients of the knowledge scale and the attitude scale were found to be 0.90 and 0.87 respectively. The results indicated that BHWs had a very high knowledge score in all the areas of basic first aid whose grand mean scores were 4.30 indicating that they have an excellent knowledge on basic first aid. However, a significant difference in their attitude in first aid with a grand mean of 2.82 in addressing stroke and toxic exposure. There was a positive correlation between attitude and knowledge (r = 0.678, p < 0.001) was statistically significant and stated that the better the knowledge, the more positive attitude towards first aid practices. To ensure these gaps are resolved, the study recommended that there should be the use of simulation-based training modules and formal certification programs.
Keywords: Barangay Health Workers, Basic first aid, Community Health, Emergency response,
INTRODUCTION
Barangay Health Workers play a central role in the Philippine health system as the linkage point between the local communities and the rest of the healthcare infrastructure as well in emergency response. There is a consistent empirical literature highlighting the need of providing BHWs with extensive theoretical and practical training on first aid and Basic Life Support (BLS), thus increasing preparedness to emergencies even under the conditions of resource constraints (Deguma, 2024; Do Thi et al., 2024; Huilgol et al., 2024). International and national studies show similar challenges across various settings, such as the problem of limited training, the lack of institutional support, and the low policy visibility (Santos et al., 2024; Yin et al., 2023). Although measures have been in place, many Philippine BHWs still face shortages on preparation, training regularity, and necessary equipment, whereas programs like ALALAY show that unified packages can alleviate performance in response (Abiva et al., 2025). BHWs confidence and ability to provide first aid is further determined by social and cultural factors, which include low health literacy, reliance on traditional practice, socioeconomic limitations, and the norms of gender (Mirano, 2024; Carrillo, et al., 2023). It is also shown in research that, despite having, on average, a good understanding of general emergencies, BHWs often have low confidence in handling severe incidents like stroke, and the attitudes toward major incidents are highly dependent on the quality of training and exposure to hand-based simulation (Hartigan-Go et al., 2025; Albadrani et al., 2022; Aquino, 2024). Ultimately, as highlighted in the literature, knowledge and attitude are essential in the context of an effective emergency response and largely dependent on continuous training, effective support systems, and resources. This background informs the present study purpose to assess the first-aid knowledge and the attitudes of BHWs in Baggao, Cagayan and the study to assess the effect of the demographic and experience factors upon readiness at the community level.
METHODOLOGY
The design used in the study was quantitative descriptive-correlational design, to shed more light on the correlation between the knowledge and attitudes of Barangay Health workers (BHWs) about basic first aid. The study was conducted in Baggao, Cagayan, a disaster-prone area and geographically isolated, which is why all 200 BHWs were recruited using total enumeration sampling and ensured full representativeness. The respondents received a validated, self-reported questionnaire including respondent profiles, knowledge items, and attitude items; each of the items was rated on 5-point Likert scales. The ratings were initially tested on 50 respondents and showed a high level of reliability with Cronbach alpha of knowledge at 0.90 and attitude at 0.87. Before data was collected, necessary approvals were taken, informed consent was given and ample time was given to the participants to complete the instruments. The data analysis was carried out with the help of SPSS, where the data analysis involved descriptive statistics and inferential statistics, such as Pearson correlation and ANOVA. Voluntary participation, confidentiality, anonymity and the right to withdraw were ethical standards that were strictly followed during the investigation.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
The findings based on the profile variables of the respondents showed that their age, civil status, religion, education, barangay, length of service, income, and t-level attendance of seminars had no significant effect on their level or attitudes towards basic first aid; all ANOVA p-values and t-test p-values were above 0.05, which suggested homogeneity among the groups. BHWs demonstrated a very high level of knowledge in all first-aid areas, with a grand mean of 4.30, indicating good knowledge of wound care, choking, burns, toxic exposures, and stroke management, agreeing with the results of Deguma (2024), or point of skill retention in repeated training. On the other hand, there were significantly lower attitudes with respect to first aid application with a grand mean of 2.82 indicating fair attitudes in general and specifically low confidence about emergencies related to stroke in accordance with the previous indications that fear of error, low confidence, and inadequate on job training frustrate preparation on emergency response. However, knowledge and attitude demonstrated a strong and highly meaningful positive correlation (r = 0.678, p on 0.001) and indicated that with increased knowledge, more positive attitudes were observed - in line with previous research of Pandapatan et al. (2024) on the role of a continuous training as a competence and confidence booster in community health workers. In general, although the level of BHWs in Baggao is very high, their attitudes suggest that further practical and simulation-driven capacity building is needed to enhance preparedness to respond to real-life emergencies.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The research findings are that BHWs in Baggao, Cagayan have extremely high levels of knowledge on critical first-aid areas, including wound care, burns, choking, stroke, and toxic exposures, yet their intentions towards using those skills are relatively low. This gap means that good theoretical background does not necessarily translate into assurance or desire to act when there is an emergency. The high positive relationship between knowledge and attitude (r=0.678, p < 0.001) supports the idea that increased knowledge, with the use of experience and practical, hands-on training, can strengthen emergency responsiveness. These findings support the claims of Deguma, 2024; Sultan et al., 2025) who suggest repeated exposure, simulation, and robust institutional support to develop both competence and confidence in the community health workers. Furthermore, the researcher recommends that the Municipal Health Office of Baggao should adopt organized First Aid Team- Building Trainings to the BHWs and in doing so strengthen the collaborative efforts, polish their hands-on skills, and increase their emergency preparedness. These programs must also feature reflective self-evaluation sections so that workers can be able to find strengths and weaknesses in first-aid provision. Also, a specific intervention aimed at managing strokes is recommended to cover the most lacking sphere of attitude and preparedness.
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