Resuello, J. C. (2013). Assessment of the utilization of barangay health stations (BHS) in pilot barangays: Bagbag, Bawanta and Casilagan to improve the antenatal care in Bauang, La Union (Unpublished master's thesis). Graduate School of Public and Development Management, Development Academy of the Philippines.

Graduate School of Public and Development Management Health Systems and Development Batch 3 Thesis (MPM-HSD)--Development Academy of the Philippines.

The study was focused on the assessment of the utilization of the three pilot Barangay Health Stations (BHS) out of the eleven existing BHS in Bauang, La Union. The three pilot BHS were utilized to improve the overall antenatal care index of the Municipality which was far below the National target and average national performance. BHS visitation, consultative meetings, focused group discussion and survey of the eleven BHS were conducted to assess the actual status of the pilt BHS in their utilization for provision of antenatal care in their catchment barangays. Data were also gathered from the daily records and accomplishment reports of the rural health midwives and barangay health workers. Interview with the key informants was also done to identify the existing gaps in increasing the utilization of BHS for antenatal care. The student-author lobbied to different stakeholders to address the gaps in utilization of the three BHS and to improve the very low performance in antenatal care of Bauang, La Union. Policies were drafted and passed to equip the BHS with health human resource and make them available at the BHS. Organization of Community Health Teams that are comprised of Barangay Health Workers (BHW) was done. The Barangay Health workers of the three pilot BHS were trained on basic skill in monitoring of vital signs of patients. BHWs were also lectured on the importance of antenatal care to pregnant women as well as the knowledge of the antenatal care. The availability of the midwives and BHWs in the BHS increased the number of pregnant women who sought consult for antenatal care. The index of antenatal care from 2011 to 2013 in the three pilot BHS has increased although it has not still achieved the National target for antenatal care. The student author recommends including in the study all the 11 BHS and the local officials to give budgetary support for the project.