STUDENTS’ PERCEPTION ON THE OPTIONAL WEARING OF FACMASK TO THEIR

HEALTH CONCERNS AMONG LEARNERS OF HOLY GHOST SCHOOL OF TAYUM,

ABRA

SCHOOL YEAR 2022-2023

A Research Study Presented to

The Faculty of Senior High School

Holy Ghost School of Tayum, Abra

Poblacion, Tayum, Abra

BOLOSAN, JOHN CEDRICK

BALNEG, PHILIP ANTHONY

FLORES, GIAN CARLO

GATUCAO, TINA MAE

SATURINAS, JAZTINE BHEA

TALUBAN, CARL JEDRIC

 Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

‘‘To wear a face mask or not to wear a face mask?’’ Nowadays, this topic becomes an argument

between the society and health experts, for the reason that some citizens argued that it’s not necessary

because face mask alone can’t guarantee their safety against the virus, while the experts said that it’s a

must. Experts said that if masks are to be used, this measure must be combined with hand hygiene and

other infection prevention and control measures to prevent the human-to-human transmission of

COVID-19. The reference here to “protection” suggests that the main purpose of wearing a mask is to

protect oneself. It’s worth noting that “being insufficient” does not mean being of “no use”. “Other

equally relevant measures” suggests that wearing a mask works equally well as other measures, such as

hand hygiene. And, in fact, there is evidence that masks do provide protection in community settings

when worn. Nonetheless, mask wearing by the public, particularly outdoors, remains controversial.

Some people opposed wearing face mask, because according to them whenever they wear a mask they

have a trouble in breathing, headaches, adverse skins reactions such as rashes, acne, and itches, skin

breakdown and impaired social cognition. It can also interfere with their vision, communication, and

thermal equilibrium.

So, as the cases of COVID-19 gradually decreasing , many are in favor of President Ferdinand

"Bongbong" Marcos Jr. as he provided guidance for the gradual lifting of the mandate for wearing

masks outdoors. However, as the president issued this executive order, it caused a great distress and

worry to people concerning about everyone’s health. As we observed, this will affect many people

especially those who are exposed in public, mainly the students that’s why the researchers aimed to

study this kind of field in order to determine their perception about this issue.

During a roundtable discussion on COVID-19 vaccination at the New World Hotel in Makati on

Thursday, September 8, the Philippines’ top medical experts opposed easing the face mask requirement,
saying that it would send a wrong message to the public that they “should not be afraid of COVID-19

anymore”. According to Dr. Maricar Limpin, if the requirement for the use of the face mask will relax

then it basically gives the impression to a lot of Filipinos that there’s no need or they should not be

afraid of COVID-19 anymore and there’s no even need to vaccinate.

Infectious diseases specialist Dr. Rontgene Solante said the implementation of the new rules on

masking would be challenging. “We know by history, it’s difficult in terms of implementation but it’s

important for us, medical societies, even media, to again reiterate the importance and inform the

population at risk that the risk will still be there even if in an outdoor [setting], and if they will not be

wearing face masks. So constant communication and specific messaging will really be important when

we implement this policy,” he said. Solante, who is also part of the country’s vaccine expert panel,

reiterated his earlier position that “face mask should be the last to go” in terms of pandemic health

protocols. The infectious diseases expert said that it was not right to “benchmark” the policies in the

Philippines with other countries since each has a different context and situation. He was reacting to the

presentation during the pandemic task force meeting which showed that it was the Philippines and

Myanmar in ASEAN states that have masking mandate.

Wearing of face mask is indeed one of the important measures to prevent and control the human-

to-human transmission of COVID-19, but in some circumstances, it also gives disadvantages to people

especially its effect to their health. Health is not just about people not having a disease, its also about

what people think and speak. So, people must have a freedom to choose or speak up what they think is

the best for their health, and of course with the guidance of the health experts.
Statement of the Problem

This study aims to identify the students’ perception on the optional wearing of face mask to their

health concerns among the learners of Holy Ghost School of Tayum, Abra.

Specifically, it sought to answer the following questions:

1. What is the profile of the students in terms of;

a. Age

b. Gender

c. Health Status

2. What is the perception of students on lifting mandatory wearing of face mask?

3. Why is optional wearing of face mask concerns the students?

Scope and Delimitation

The focus of this study is to determine the perception of the students on the optional wearing of

facemask to their health concerns among learners of Holy Ghost School of Tayum, Abra within the

school year 2022-2023.

Significance of the Study

This research is significant to the following:

Students, this study will help them speak up for themselves about their perspective to the given

topic and for them to have an awareness about everyone’s health.

Parents, this study will give them awareness about on how their child perceive this topic and on

how they solve the concerns of their child.

 Teachers and School Administration, this study could help them to identify the learner's

perception about optional wearing of facemask. This will be their guide of what they will do to solve the

concerns of the students.

Community, this study will encourage the community to be aware on what are the effects of

optional wearing of facemask to their health and to their family’s health.

Future Researchers, this study will serve as a reference material and a guide for future

researchers who will conduct research related to this study.

Operational Definition of Terms

COVID-19 - an infectious disease that can spread from an infected person’s mouth or nose in small

liquid particles when they cough, sneeze, speak, sing or breathe.

Relevant Measures - a protection against the deadly virus.

Thermal Equilibrium -when there is no temperature difference between system and surroundings.

Impaired Social Cognition - having a disability to focus on how people process, store, and apply

information about other people and social situations.

Benchmark - a point of reference by which something can be measured.

Human-to-Human transmission - the spread of an infectious agent to others.

Health Status - an individual's relative level of wellness and illness.

Mandatory wearing of face mask – all persons shall wear well-fitted face masks and face shields, if

necessary, especially in public areas and enclosed spaces.

Optional wearing of face mask - the voluntary wearing of face masks in open spaces and non-crowded

outdoor areas with good ventilation.

Health concerns – problem or issues regarding one’s health.