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. 2018 Jan 3;20(1):27–43. doi: 10.1007/s10198-017-0950-2

Table 6.

Measurement of the health knowledge index and summary statistics

Item/question Accepted answers Answer rule Correct (%)
1 Do you know what an electro cardio graph (ECG) is and can you explain it to me? Attach devices to the breast R can describe method 61.2
2 What diseases can be detected with an ECG? Heart diseases R knows any disease 67.0
3 Do you know what a fasting blood sugar test is and can you explain it to me? Blood sample is collected, need to fast before R can describe method 59.5
4 What diseases can be detected with a blood sugar test? Diabetes R knows any disease 64.4
5 Do you know what a urinalysis is and can you explain it to me? Collection and analysis of urine sample R can describe method 80.6
6 What diseases can be detected with a urinalysis? Diseases of inner organs, UTI, etc. R knows any disease 81.1
7 Which family planning methods have you heard of? Pill, IUD, injection implant, condom, sterilization, BBT rhythm, LAM, BOM, etc. R knows > 3 methods 40.9
8 What can you do to improve the health of a newborn child? Breastfeeding, immunization, right nutrition, check-up, proper hygiene, etc. R knows > 2 methods 41.2
9 Do you know any techniques how mothers of newborn children can increase their milk production? Nutrition, pump, massage, offering both breasts, skin-to-skin contact, keep schedule, etc. R knows > 1 techniques 23.4
10 Do you know what breast self-examination is and can you explain it to me?a Examination to detect changes or problems in the woman’s breast R can describe method 60.1
11 Do you know a lot about healthy eating? Agreement scale (1–5) R agrees (4 or 5) 83.1
12 Do you know what urinary tract infection (UTI) is and can you explain it to me? Painful inflammation of urinary tract R can describe disease 83.0
13 Is UTI a contagious disease? No 83.7
14 How can you prevent UTI? Water consumption, not holding urine, hygiene, clothing, medicine, etc. R knows > 1 methods 21.7
15 Do you know what Tuberculosis (TB) is and can you describe it to me? Disease that usually attacks the lungs R can describe disease 88.0
16 IS TB a contagious disease? Yes 92.3
17 How much does a package of TB medicine cost at the health center? Zero PHP (financed by national TB program) 45.8
18 Do you know what TB DOTS is and can you explain it to me? Free and accessible medication, monitoring R can describe program 33.5
19 What are symptoms of TB? Coughing, chest/back pain, bloody sputum, fever/cold, weight loss, loss of appetite, fatigue, breathing/sleeping problems, skin/eye color, etc. R knows > 3 symptoms 25.3
20 Do you know what hypertension is and can you explain it to me? Constant high blood pressure 67.9
21 Is hypertension a contagious disease? No 96.0
22 How can you prevent hypertension? Diet, exercise, rest, avoid smoking/drinking, avoid heat, water, check-up, medicine, etc. R knows > 2 method 22.7
23 Can you use antibiotics to reduce the harmful effects of a viral infection, such as a cold or flu? No 26.7
24 What problems can occur if you take antibiotics too often? Resistance, liver/kidney or other organ damage R knows 1 side-effect 49.11
25 Do you know any diseases you can get from having sex? AIDS/HIV, genital warts, gonorrhea, herpes, Chlamydia, syphilis, hepatitis, infection, vermin, etc. R knows > 1 STD 43.8
26 Through which channels can you apply for a PhilHealthb membership aside from going directly to the PhilHealth Office? Health center, municipal office, barangay hall, work, online, etc. R knows alternative channel 77.1
27 If you are PhilHealth member, who can be covered with you through your membership as beneficiary? Children, spouse, parents R knows > 1 beneficiary 63.9
28 Do you need to provide a birth certificate to become a PhilHealth member? No 20.5

R respondent

a We use breast self-examination as indicator, although studies have put into question the effectiveness of this method for early cancer screening and detection [62]. Despite this, the method is still being used in the Philippines and also promoted by our partner organization

bPhilHealth is the public health insurance in the Philippines