The Warrior is a Nurse: Adversities of Community Health Nurses at the Height of the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (Covid-19) Pandemic in La Trinidad, Benguet

Abstract

With the surge of COVID-19 cases, the community health nurses (CHNs) outside the hospitals are fighting a baleful battle. However, not much is known about their adversities since most of those who are in the limelight are the frontliners working inside the hospitals. The main objectives of this study were to determine the adversity quotient (AQ) of CHNs in relation to their demographic profiles and CO2RE denominations, find out the predicting variables of their level of AQ, and ascertain the adversities faced by the CHNs at the height of the pandemic. This study employed a mixed-method approach, guided by convergent nested design. This was conducted at the municipality of La Trinidad, Benguet, with a total population of 10 CHNs. These approaches were accomplished by administering questionnaires, and conducting one-on-one interviews and focus group discussions. The quantitative data were analyzed employing the mean, frequency, percentage, independent sample t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson Correlation Coefficient, and Linear Regression Analysis. Meanwhile, the qualitative data was analyzed using Colaizzi’s method of phenomenological analysis. The quantitative results showed that most of the CHNs have a moderate level of AQ. Results also revealed that there was no significant relationship between the level of AQ to the participants’ demographic profiles. However, their level of CO2RE was found to be correlated to their level of AQ. Furthermore, it was discovered that Reach, which represents stress, burden, and the extent of how the adversity penetrates a person’s private life, was the best predictor of the level of AQ. For the qualitative data, the CHNs suffer from adversities such as the immediate transition from providing healthcare services to doing contact tracing due to insufficient training, inadequate transportation and medical supplies such as face masks, unsatisfactory pay, misinformation from social media, uncooperative allies, and difficult clients. Overall, CHNs face extreme adversities with the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, amidst all of these, they still carry on and continue the fight. Further research may achieve better results by having a broader scope of participants. They may also compare the AQ of the various nurse practitioners. Conducting a similar study after the pandemic for comparison of results is also highly recommended. Meanwhile, the healthcare leaders should provide the needs of the CHNs such as transportation and masks, and mental health counselling. Lastly, we also suggest that AQ be tackled in NCM 117.