Causal Analysis of Mortality and Morbidity in Selected Barangays in General Santos City

Mortality and morbidity cases in Barangay Conel and Barangay Lagao in General Santos City were investigated to determine their incidences, causes and correlates. Using a mixed-methods approach, this study identified cardiovascular disorders (CV), hypertension, respiratory diseases, and cancer (in all its forms) as the more prevalent causes of mortality and morbidity in these areas. Furthermore, respondents ranged from middle- aged to old and were generally heavier in Conel and older in Lagao. In terms of home or workplace exposure, the majority of Conel respondents and less than half of Lagao respondents raised various livestock in their backyards. Combined Pearson's correlation, ANOVA, and linear regression highlighted correlations between age and disease incidence (DI). Furthermore, the regression model (using age, BMI, and years in school as predictors) was able to explain 37.2% of the total variance in the data set. These results indicate that these predictors while accounting for just over a third of the changes in DI, are still factors to reckon with in terms of making decisions about health-related concerns. Also underscored was the impact of lifestyle choices, especially for relatively urban communities like Lagao, where opportunities for leisure and recreation abound. Finally, uncertainties in the study that emanate from small sample sizes, a low number of predictors, and its cross-sectional nature can be eliminated by a bigger study addressing these issues. This way, more comprehensive and conclusive results will be obtained.