Kapwa (Shared identity): The case of being community health workers (CHWs) in Cagayan Province, Philippines
Paper Details
Kapwa (Shared identity): The case of being community health workers (CHWs) in Cagayan Province, Philippines
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Community Health Workers (CHWs) in Cagayan Province were at the forefront of health delivery, contact tracing, and prevention efforts. Despite their critical role, there is a paucity of studies exploring their first-hand experiences. This phenomenological study aims to fill that gap by delving into the lived experiences of CHWs in Cagayan Province during the pandemic. Five (5) Focus Group discussions were conducted in five municipalities with total of forty-six (46) purposively selected CHWs. Their narratives were analyzed using Moustakas’ phenomenological approach. Five major themes emerged from the analysis: perception regarding health, facing the challenges, responding to the challenges, sympathy towards the community, and working for the community. The fundamental essence of their experiences is rooted in the concept of Kapwa, which represents their shared identity with the community. This sense of shared identity motivated them to transcend personal interests and engage in service, action, and altruism. The study findings aim to affirm, validate, and empower CHWs, recognizing their integral role in the success of the pandemic response in Cagayan Province.
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Jay Emmanuel L. Asuncion, Julius T. Capili, Jinky Marie T. Chua*, Pauline Grace P. Casil-Batang, Lara Melissa G. Luis, Dorina D. Sabatin, Krisha Anne A. Hipolito, Ethel Marie M. Mangada, 2026. Kapwa (Shared identity): The case of being community health workers (CHWs) in Cagayan Province, Philippines. Int. J. Biosci., 28(5), 43-51.
Copyright © 2026 by the Authors. This article is an open access article and distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) license.