IJOMAHIP Published Article Details

Abstract Despite the enactment of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law in the Philippines in 2019, gaps in healthcare service delivery continue, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Community Health Workers (CHWs), as frontliners in local healthcare systems, play a vital role in the implementation of the UHC Law. To date, no studies have evaluated the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding the UHC law among CHWs. To ensure the effective implementation of the UHC, this study aimed to determine their KAP and described across their demographic profiles. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was utilized, with total enumeration of 36 CHWs, including Barangay Health Workers (BHWs), Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS), Barangay Midwives, and members of the Barangay Health Emergency Response Team (BHERT). Data were collected through a validated, researcher-made KAP questionnaire. Knowledge was categorized using Bloom’s cutoff scoring system with high (16–20, 80% or higher), moderate (12–15, 60–79%), or low (0-11, <60%), while attitudes and practices were based on median split analysis. Out of 36 CHWs, 22 (61.1%) demonstrated moderate knowledge, 10 (27.8%) exhibited high knowledge, and 4 (11.1%) had low knowledge regarding the UHC Law. For attitudes, 24 respondents (66.7%) showed positive attitudes, while 12 (33.3%) displayed negative attitudes. In terms of practices, 23 CHWs (63.9%) were categorized as compliant, while 13 (36.1%) were non-compliant. The findings highlight the need for continuous training and educational support to enhance CHW effectiveness in UHC implementation. Strengthening CHW capacity is vital for improving health outcomes and achieving equitable healthcare access across the Philippines. Keywords: Community Health Workers (CHWs), Health Care Delivery, Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP), Universal Health Care (UHC) Law