The Utilization of the Community on the Department of Health Priority Programs: Basis for Health Awareness Program Enhancement

This study assessed the utilization of priority health programs of the Department of Health (DOH) and explored ways to improve community health awareness in selected district health centers in Tacloban City. Using a descriptive-correlational design, 286 respondents from five district health centers were surveyed through stratified sampling and a structured questionnaire. The findings showed that most respondents were 26–35 years old, female, married, college graduates, and earning ₱10,001–₱20,000 monthly. Respondents reported utilizing DOH priority programs through health center visits, awareness of available services, and satisfaction with healthcare workers, although perceptions of service accessibility and availability were neutral. Most participants demonstrated good health literacy and awareness, while socioeconomic and cultural factors had a moderate influence on healthcare utilization. Statistical analyses revealed significant relationships between demographic characteristics and factors influencing program utilization, as well as a significant positive correlation between DOH program utilization and health literacy and awareness. The study concluded that health education quality, service availability, and socioeconomic conditions influence community participation in health programs and served as the basis for proposing an enhanced community health awareness program to improve the utilization of DOH priority services in Tacloban City.