Problem identification and prioritization in Kiko Rosa, Philippines

Cavite

Kiko Rosa is one of the seven sub-villages of San Francisco in General Trias, Cavite, Philippines. It is a lowland agricultural village approximately 10 kilometers from the town center. It was chosen to be the site for IlRR's Participatory Nutrition Project because Kiko Rosa had the high-test number of malnourished children under six years of age in San Francisco.

Participatory research was conducted to assess factors affecting the nutritional situation of the village. A trained core group, composed of representatives from both parts of Kiko Rosa, designed and conducted the research (data collection, collation, and analysis) ;.

The care group used their research findings to identify the problems underlying the children's malnutrition. The group prioritized the problems using the following criteria which they developed:

- Problem was mentioned in both parts of Kiko Rosa
- Frequency of complaint and intensity of effect on people
- Scope of population affected
- Solvability
- Impact of problem's solution on the other problems

Problems were further classified according to their solvability, long term or short term. Short-term processes are those which can be implemented immediately by community residents. Long-term solution are those requiring external negotiations or longer time to implement
The problems where ranked as follows:

1 Inadequate income
2 Air pollution caused by the local commercial piggery
3 Lack of pump wells for drinking water
4 Unsanitary/unhealty environment (further qualified)
5 Road impassable to public vehicles
6 River water cannot be used for drinking
7 Vices: gambling, alcoholism, use of prohibited drugs by the youth
8 Lack of classrooms and teachers in the elementary school
9 Distance from market
10 Insecurity of home lot ownership

Because of the interrelationship of the problems affecting the nutritional status of children under six years of age, representatives from various government agencies at all levels needed to become involved. The indigenous classification and prioritization clearly showed the need for a broader range of health-related activities (e.g., construction and repair of the road, construction of a health center. a forum to address insecurity of home lot ownership) than the usual health service package (e.g., immunization, weighing of children, food distribution). ,,

Compiled by Phoebe V. Maata