Assessing Rabies Treatment Accessibility In Selected Metro Manila Cities Using GIS-based Techniques
Document Types
Poster Presentation
School Name
De La Salle University, Manila
Track or Strand
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
Research Advisor (Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial)
Masongsong, Angela Nicole
Start Date
23-6-2025 10:30 AM
End Date
23-6-2025 12:00 PM
Zoom Link/ Room Assignment
5th Floor Breakout Function Room (501-503), Enrique K. Razon Jr. Hall, DLSU Laguna Campus
Abstract/Executive Summary
Rabies is considered a death sentence when symptoms start to arise. Despite this condition causing tens of thousands of deaths every year, it is highly preventable through timely immunization. With this being said, animal bite incidents are continuously persistent issues present in the Philippines despite efforts in establishing Animal Bite Treatment Centers (ABTCs) and mass vaccination programs. Cultural beliefs, socioeconomic status, and locational inaccessibility to these services influence factors in treatment-seeking behavior amongst Filipinos. This research aims to evaluate the locational accessibility of the Philippines’ efforts in addressing rabies treatment services, specifically for Metro Manila, the country’s densest region. To achieve this, maps of the selected cities showing their population density, location of ABTCs, and average distance to treatment centers will be generated. Additionally, the purpose of the research is to provide meaningful insights into the status quo of rabies control efforts and to suggest gaps in ABTC locations. The analysis showed that Makati had a better ABTC landscape compared to Paranaque, even when the number of at-risk barangays was the same, due to its advantage in ABTC density coverage and average travel distance.
Keywords
rabies, GIS, treatment accessibility, density analysis, public health
Research Theme (for Paper Presentation and Poster Presentation submissions only)
Food, Nutrition, and Health (FNH)
Initial Consent for Publication
yes
Statement of Originality
yes
Assessing Rabies Treatment Accessibility In Selected Metro Manila Cities Using GIS-based Techniques
Rabies is considered a death sentence when symptoms start to arise. Despite this condition causing tens of thousands of deaths every year, it is highly preventable through timely immunization. With this being said, animal bite incidents are continuously persistent issues present in the Philippines despite efforts in establishing Animal Bite Treatment Centers (ABTCs) and mass vaccination programs. Cultural beliefs, socioeconomic status, and locational inaccessibility to these services influence factors in treatment-seeking behavior amongst Filipinos. This research aims to evaluate the locational accessibility of the Philippines’ efforts in addressing rabies treatment services, specifically for Metro Manila, the country’s densest region. To achieve this, maps of the selected cities showing their population density, location of ABTCs, and average distance to treatment centers will be generated. Additionally, the purpose of the research is to provide meaningful insights into the status quo of rabies control efforts and to suggest gaps in ABTC locations. The analysis showed that Makati had a better ABTC landscape compared to Paranaque, even when the number of at-risk barangays was the same, due to its advantage in ABTC density coverage and average travel distance.
https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/conf_shsrescon/2025/poster_fnh/3
