Recorded presentation

Marilou Palabrica-Costello, PhD¹, Juan Antonio Perez III, MD, MPH¹, Nimfa Ogena, PhD², and Jazmin Gutierrez, MA³. (1) Philippine Tuberculosis Initiatives for the Private Sector (Philippine TIPS)/Chemonics International Inc., 1608 West Tower, Phil. Stock Exchange Center, Pasig, Philippines, 632-687-7135, jiangeles@philtips.com, (2) Demographic Research and Development Foundation, 3/F Palma Hall, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines, (3) Philippine Business for Social Progress, PSDC Bldg., Magallanes St. corner Real St., Intramuros, Manila, 1002, Philippines

The Philippine TIPS project undertook this pioneering study to establish a profile of TB prevalence by workforce groups in order to develop more appropriate DOTS in the workplace models. Specific study objectives were to: • Identify segments of the Philippine workforce significantly affected by TB; • Provide demographic and socioeconomic profiles of TB cases in the workforce; and • Describe health-seeking behaviors of the Philippine workforce. The study first examines secondary data, including service statistics, surveys, and TB expenditure claims. Findings reveal that no clear indicator of TB prevalence in the workforce has been generated by government or non-government agencies in the country. This suggests a need for further research. A study was conducted using a combination of qualitative and approaches to assess the prevalence of TB in the work force. Main sources are the Labor Force Survey and the Annual Poverty Indicator Survey (both conducted in 1998), focus group discussions and key-informant interviews. Among the major findings is that for Filipinos in the productive ages (15-64 years), TB prevalence is 4.93 per 1,000 population. This is higher than the 3.1 per 1,000 population estimate of the 1997 National TB Prevalence survey for the entire population. The analysis indicates that unemployed workers in the informal sector who make up 40% of the workforce are at most risk for TB. Based on its findings, Philippine TIPS proposes two alternate DOTS models for the workforce, one for unemployed individuals and workers employed in the informal sector, and another for those employed in the formal sector.

Learning Objectives:

• At the end of the session, the participant will understand how secondary and qualitative data were collected and analyzed to profile the economically active segments of the Philippine population that are at greatest risk for TB.

Keywords: Tuberculosis, Workplace Safety

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation