Focus Group Discussion

Members:
Acevedo, Bianca Afalla, Graziella Apigo, Marion Basalio, Tessa Loleng, Maxine Salamanca, Mae Valencia, Szarinah

I. INTRODUCTION II. OBJECTIVE III.KEY INFORMANTS IV.METHODOLOGY a. Materials b. Procedures c. Guide Questions IV.RESULTS AND DISCUSSION V. DOCUMENTATION

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INTRODUCTION

Focus groups are an exploratory research tool - a structured group process to explore peoples thoughts and feelings and obtain detailed information about a particular topic or issue (Sherraden, 2001). Focus group discussions generally last from an hour and a half to two hours, longer than this and the discussion loses momentum (Sherraden, 2001). If the discussion is well managed, it allows deep-seated feelings on a subject to emerge naturally.
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The goal is to obtain as much useful information as possible. Confidentiality helps. Group interaction can bring out additional information. The moderator stimulates the group discussion and keeps it on course, as necessary. S/he should not take a position on anything, but should listen. Every response is considered valid. There is no attempt to support or criticize any response, resolve any issue, address any individual problem or concern or reach any conclusion. Both concrete information and opinions are relevant (Sherraden, 2001).

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II. OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to learn how PNPC,mothers who live in the community, health workers and barangay officials view their jobs and the communitys nutritional status. We hope to learn things that the Barangay Health workers can use to improve working conditions and other factors that would improve health and nutrition retention in Barangay Batasan Hills particularly in Purok Taniman.

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II. KEY INFORMANTS

Purok Leader of Taniman: Mr. J. T. Bantayan PNPC Officials: Chairperson: Minda Maso Co-chairperson: Eugene Portugal Secretary: Koreen Deloverges Treasurer: Elizabeth Bantayan ECCD Commitee Head: Angelina Cruz Education Committee Head: Candelaria Villarata Protection Committee Head : Marita Parahile Livelihood Committee Head : Josephine Tagada Health Committee Head : Marijoy Pasumana Child and Youth Committee Head: Jhay-ar Catana Mothers per purok

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III. METHODOLOGY
A. MATERIALS: Sign-in sheet
Consent forms (one copy for participants, one copy for the team) Evaluation sheets, one for each participant Name tents Pads & Pencils for each participant Focus Group Discussion Guide for Facilitator Recording device/s Batteries for recording device Extra tapes for recording device Permanent marker for marking tapes with FGD name, facility, and date Notebook for note-taking Refreshments Guide quiestions per group of people Tokens / merienda after the interview

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III. METHODOLOGY
B. PROCEDURES

1. Identifying and recruiting participants

The sampling frame was developed by identifying key population groups whose opinions are interested in hearing. The research team decided how many levels of each characteristic are meaningful for the purposes of the study( mothers in the purok, PNPC official and purok leader) and from a group for each level of each important characteristic.

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Systematic (even random) procedures were done during the recruiting of participants to avoid systematic bias and friendship groups. The participants of each group are homogenous as possible, representing a particular segment of the population. The aim is to create conditions that promote both comfort and independence of thought, in order to maximize discussion and self-disclosure. The researchers made initial contact with the prospective participant, to assure them of confidentiality and then ask them several questions to ensure that they fit within one of the groups that are being recruited for.

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2. Designing an interview guide for Focus Groups The purpose of the interview guide is to provide an overall direction for the discussion. It is not the equivalent of a survey instrument and is not to be followed in detail or even necessarily in order. The guide provides the moderator with topics and issues that are, to the extent possible, to be covered at some point during the group discussion.

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2. Facilitating the discussion and recording

Each focus group had a moderator, a recorder and note taker. The moderator used the local language. She made participants feel at ease and to facilitate open communication on selected topics by asking broad, often open-ended questions, by probing for additional information when necessary, and by keeping the discussion appropriately focused. As a result the discussion may not follow the interview guide in the order suggested.
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The recorder recorded the discussion and kept notes of comments in the local language (for later translation, as necessary) on a recording instrument form. Recording instrument is similar to the interview guide, except probes are removed and plenty of blank space is inserted between questions to provide room for comments. Because the recorder is unlikely to be able write down all comments as they occur, it is important to tape record the session. Soon after the session, the recorder will use this tape to fill in key comments and quotations on the recording instrument.

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3. Consent Process Consent forms for focus group participants are completed in advance by all those seeking to participate. Below is a summary of the information in the consent form that focus group organizers and facilitators should use to make sure participants understand the information in the consent form.

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C. GUIDE QUESTIONS I. PUROK LEADER and PNPC OFFICIALS 1. Lets start the discussion by talking about what makes this community a good place to work. What are some of the positive aspects of working here at this facility? 2. Name three specific aspects of our community that help people eat healthy and/or be physically active. 3. Name some programs in our community that promote nutrition and/or physical activity. (per age group) 4. In your opinion, what factors in our community contribute to the problems of overweight and lack of physical activity? 5. What do you think should be done to address these problems?

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6. What barriers, if any, do you see to implementing a project to prevent this problem in our community? (If none, go to question #7.) 7. How would you suggest overcoming these barriers? 8. What strengths and assets could we build on in our community to improve these health problems? 9. Could you suggest other organizations/groups in our community that could be involved with this project? 10. Who in your community needs to be involved with this project to make it successful? 11. Are there any other suggestions or ideas that you can give me as we prepare to get this project started? 12. Other Comments: HOME

II. Mothers who lives in the Purok Taniman 1. Please tell us about yourself: a) your first name b) what city or town you live in c) your household d) a little bit about yourself 2. What do you do in your free time? Do you consider physical active to be relaxing? What are some of the things that you do with your friends and family in your free time? Do you engage in different activities with your friends then with your family? 3. Do you use any public facilities or programs in your city/town? What do you use? If no- Why not? HOME

4. Do you use any public facilities or programs in your city/town? What do you use? If no- Why not? 5. What steps, if any, do you take to stay healthy? a. Both through physical activity or food choices b. How do you decide what to eat at-home? 6. Do you ever go out to eat restaurants or fast food restaurants? How do you decide what to eat away-from-home? 7. What do you consider to be a healthy meal? a. What healthy food choices are available to you (at-home and away)? b. What are the barriers to healthy food choices? 8. Why do you eat the food and drinks that you do? a. What informs your food choices? b. Where do you get information about food? HOME

8. Why do you eat the food and drinks that you do? a. What informs your food choices? b. Where do you get information about food? 9. Are there changes that could be made in your community to help people make better food choices? 10. Describe some of the activities, chores and other responsibilities, which you do around the house in an average day? 11. If you work, how active is your job? How much time do you spend sitting? 12. How do you get to around town or to work in a typical day? Car, walk, etc. 13. Do you get enough physical activity in the average day- why or why not? 14. Are there any barriers that keep you from being more active, and if so, what are they? HOME

15. Do you have any specific concerns (besides lack of time) that keep you from being more physically active (safety, preexisting health conditions, etc)? a. Is safety a concern? b. Are there any other obstacles that keep you from being more active? 16. What would be the best way to encourage people in your community to be more physically active? a. What messages would work best? b. How could that message be communicated? c. What do you think your friends and neighbors would respond to? 17. Are there any changes that could be made in your community that would encourage people to be more active? a. Are there any specific facilities that you wish your city or town had available? b. Are there any programs that you would like to see offered? 18. Wrapping up the discussion- Is there anything you would like to add. HOME

IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

A. DEMOGRAPHICS
Thirthy-nine people participated in the focus groups, nine people from PNPC officials and 30 people are mothers in the community. The focus group participants ranged in age from 19 to 60 years. Table 1 delineates these ranges.

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Table 2 identifies the Mothers age

Table 2 identifies the Mothers age

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Table 4 reflects the number of children of the Participant Mothers

Table 4 reflects the number of children of the Participant Mothers

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Table 4 reflects the number of children of the Participant Mothers

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B. EMPLOYMENT PNPC officials

Most of the officials of the Peoples Network for the Protection of Children, do have jobs outside their community or purok. Half of them works as beauticians in parlors or salons, saleslady, handling own small business scale and real estate brokers.
Mothers of Purok Taniman All of the participants did not work outside the home. They are housewives, attending their children and do household chores. Some said that, they have small scale business at home such as sari-sari store and selling meriendas in the afternoon, and some do side line jobs such as laundering and ironing clothes.

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C. ENVIRONMENT The PNPC participants were generally quite responsive when answering about their description on their working environment and its advantages. Very few people hesitated or chose not to answer. Several of them, however, began their response by saying, "I do like it very much. . ." but some said, Our working environment lacks. . . and then gave their opinion. It was often a very detailed opinion. The most common responses were related to accessibility of the location of their purok outpost, specifically it is only located near their houses, their desire to help without any rewards or recognition and transform their community to better. The following are representative responses: "I think our working environment is just good enough for us to do our jobs, in order to reach our goals HOME

"I also think it has a lot to do with accessibility and relationship. It is possible that we, officers of the PNPC can able to immediately attend meetings and activities because of the nearness of our outpost, camaraderie within the group but the only thing that we lack is the ample source of finance to implement better programs for our community However, the mothers described their environment as a transformed community. Few of them stated the scarcity that is present in their community. Comparing from our previous stay in the community, our purok has able to organize set of rules and regulations such as curfew hours, no littering, no topless bystanders along the road or outside the houses and no drinking of alcohol along the road. . . .poverty and deprivation are the words that described our community. For we are the last purok in this barangay, no helping hands offered specifically the government officials and organizations. HOME

D. PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Exercise: When asked "What does exercise mean to you?" the participants gave answers that included "running," "walking," "go to a gym," "move the body," and "be in shape." Others said that it was to be in constant motion. Physical activity: An immediate response to "What is physical activity?" was "work." "Physical activity is when a person gets up, works, is alert, runs, and walks. They run to go get this and that at work." Others believed that physical activity relates to "the body's movement," "walking," and" when you sweat."

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Exercise vs. physical activity As evidenced above, some people define exercise and physical activity as the same thing; however, others believe there is a clear difference. One active young woman saw these differences: "Physical activity involves the person, your body. If you bend over. If you walk. If you clean the house or do laundry. It is not physical activity [but exercise] when you go to a place that is pretty and has a mirror and people are jumping around [aerobics]." Exercise habits Some participants said that they spend some time exercising. Exercises included walking, running, aerobics, lifting weights, and spot exercising such as pushups or sit ups. Participants said that they exercised as part of their job. "I exercise. From 6 o'clock in the morning to 4 o'clock in the afternoon, I use a machine to scrub the floors and I mop the floors. That is exercise." Others believed, however, that having a physically active job was not exercise. "I have to say that exercise is not housework. It is time set aside for exercising. It is an exercise for losing weight. Housework does not cause weight loss. We get tired but it doesn't cause weight loss." HOME

E. KNOWLEDGE OF TERM NUTRITION People were generally in agreement that nutrition is a process by which nutrients that we get from food are ingested and used up by the body. They associated malnutrition, specifically to under nutrition. They say that nutrition is the vital need to know of every human being and the main source of all diseases.

Nutrition is health
. . . when you hear the word nutrition you are excited to learn about it. On the other way around, associating about under nutrition on nutrition, they stated that, these problems are common among children. Thus, an increase in number of cases was because of food insecurity, ignorance of facts, lack of money or source, and unemployment. HOME

"Children who are underweight/under nutrition are whose mothers taking for granted the needs of their children. They tend to do their own businesses and gossips with other people than to attend their children. . . . prioritizing their own benefits before their children is one of the factors why there is an increase of percentage for under nutrition Relating to nutrition, food preferences, sources and food patterns of the participants were also asked. Many of them said that they consider a balance meal to be served specifically for their children. This composed of, vegetable, protein dish and rice. Few of them answered that, they were not able to meet proper diet because of lack of money to buy nutritious foods. HOME

We the PNPC officers, based on our observation, 35% of the families here in our purok can not satisfy their need to eat and compensate their nutritional requirement daily. This is because of unemployment associated with limited budget allocation in a family. As a mother, I make sure that my children eat regularly. This consists of rice, sabaw, vegetable, milk, fruits and protein. . . .vitamins and other supplements for my children are also important too. I give it to them in order to make up for the daily nutritional requirement of my children. I usually buy foods everyday at karenderias near our home, because I have no time to cook and prepare food for my family, and I think its the cheapest way. . . .fresh vegetables, meats, fish, and the like were bought in the wet market everyday with a budget allocation for our food every day. I vary foods that I serve to my children and sometimes I follow my childrens food preferences. Few of the mothers said that they eat in restaurants and fastfoods because they reasoned out that they do not have enough money to afford a meal in fastfoods for at least one people. The price of a meal in the restaurant is equal to the budget allotted for their family meal every day. HOME

F. BASIS OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT HEALTH AND NUTRITION

The participants said that they usually obtain health and nutrition information from clinics, television, radio, schools, newspapers, friends and books.

Helpful health information:

When asked "What type of health information is most helpful?" the participants said that they find television and radio programs that offer health information to be the most helpful. Brochures were not found to be especially helpful. This was because even though the participants sometimes picked them up, they usually stored them somewhere and forgot about their existence. "I pick up a brochure at clinics, but then I just put it in a drawer. I say I will read it later, but that later' never comes." Others felt that brochures often contain language that is not easily understood. "There are pamphlets in many places that we go to. We don't read them because we see words that are kind of odd. We do not understand them. If the pamphlets were written using a language that we speak, we would be more likely to understand the HOME message."

Some people believed that they did not have enough time to read a brochure. "It is less easy to obtain information from a brochure than a television program. After you do your household chores, you do not have time to read a brochure. When you finish your household works, you watch the news. Tagalog-language were preferred over English-language materials primarily because many participants do not read or understand English well or at all.

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G. MOTIVATION In applicable sections of the discussion, participants were asked what would motivate them to lead healthier lives. Many expressed that they needed more information to make changes. They felt that with more information they were more likely to make a decision to change unhealthy behaviors. "More information, but it needs to be very detailed. If I had the information and it told me exactly everything. If it told me how cholesterol could harm me. How I could prevent it. What diet I should be on. What exercises I should do. With all of this information, I might become interested and do it.

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Others thought that a seminar offering health information to make health changes that may be conducted by nutrition students. Some participants did not believe that information in and of itself was enough. "Because most people aren't motivated through words alone, I think there should be organizations that should help. . . a campaign." Others felt that to successfully motivate people, they need to be shown how to make specific health behavior changes. "Through demonstrations. Have a demonstration that shows people how this [removing the skin from chicken, baking instead of frying] is done. How to cook it. Demonstrate foods with fat and without fat. Using vegetables."

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H. COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
The PNPC officers who implement programs in the community said that they consider the weaknesses of the community and think of interventions to overcome and strengthen it. We conducted operation timbang last year, and based on the results, there is a greater number of underweight children over to children with normal weight for age and height We also administered educating mothers about basics of nutrition. The officers of the PNPC went area to area in the purok to implement it, and the mothers actively responded on it. . . .teaching mothers of cooking kakanin and other livelihood programs are made possible by the organization which helps them to gain knowledge on small enterprise business and on how to add income in theri family. HOME

On the other hand, the mothers stated that, when the PNPC was organized and when Mr. J.T. Bantayan(current purok leader) headed the community, programs and activities were implemented just they way they wanted it. Programs implemented were just exactly the things we wanted, it helped us to learn new things, benefit us and our children, improved the status of the purok and relationship among neighborhoods. We benefited, I benefited and most of all my children benefited from the programs. PNPC officers looked on the barriers of the presence of the mothers during the programs, they said that few of the mothers participated and only send their children to attend.

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What forces them not to attend programs and activities of the community are ignorance of facts, they always think first of the benefits that they can get after attending it, and prioritizing first their vices from which they can get money and happiness. . . .education and knowledge, the root cause of few number of mothers attending the programs. Because what mothers know, it is passed and taught to their children. They cannot taught things to their children if they do not know. Mothers reasoned out that they have no time to participate on the programs held on the purok. As a mother we make sure that our house is organized, clean and free from anny harm, so we prioritize staying in our home, do household chores rather than attending such activities like that Attending the needs of our children in our home is our number one priority. I cannot go out because of this responsibility and due to the fact that no one could substitute my absence from taking care of my children. HOME

I. COMMUNITY INTERVENTION AND SUGGESTIONS The PNPC officers pointed out the need for proper nutrition education through simple seminar and demonstration for mothers. Addressing our communitys deficiency on proper nutrition educationwe suggest to have simple seminar and demonstration. For mothers cannot practice proper nutrition and lifestyle without any proper background knowledge. Mothers are teachers, not just from words but through actions.

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Aerobics, livelihood programs, free vaccination and extensive feeding programs are the suggestions given by the mothers. They said that: A simple feeding program or a one day visit is not supplemental and enough in order to have a change from nutritional status of a community, an extensive feeding program is needed. Where nutritional status of the children are checked whenever there is a visit and regular evaluation. . . .due to the decrease of physical activity, aerobics every weekend may help. Small scale businesses like selling meriendas, handicrafts and the like are helpful for us mothers to have an extra income for the needs of our family. HOME

V. RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Involve community members in the development and evaluation of the campaign. When members of the target population are involved in a campaign, they can provide invaluable insight on how to further improve it. Their involvement is critical because they know firsthand the situations that the target population encounters on a daily basis. They also can help assess whether developed materials and programs are understood and applicable within the context of their daily lives. 2. Involve community members in the development and evaluation of the campaign. When members of the target population are involved in a campaign, they can provide invaluable insight on how to further improve it. Their involvement is critical because they know firsthand the situations that the target population encounters on a daily basis. They also can help assess whether developed materials and programs are understood and applicable within the context of their daily lives. HOME

3. Organize programs that stresses out importance of nutrition. 4. Community Should Improve Availability of Affordable Healthier Food and Beverage Choices in Public Service Venues Healthier foods generally are more expensive than less-healthy foods, which can pose a significant barrier to purchasing and consuming healthier foods, particularly for low-income consumers. Healthier foods and beverages include, but are not limited to, foods and beverages with low energy density and low calorie, sugar, fat, and sodium content. HOME

VI. DOCUMENTATION

Preparing the venue for the Focus Group Discussion. HOME

Mothers from purok signing in the attendance sheet, facilitated by Ms. Acevedo.

During the Focus Group Discussion with the Mothers in Purok Taniman.

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The PNPC Officials with the Purok leader (extreme right)

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IDENTIFIED PROBLEM/S: Lack of knowledge about health, nutrition and sanitation ignorance of facts. The purok has no enough facilities to provide the people a good livelihoog progam and the like.

Malnutrition

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