Second National Communications 26 Table 4: Surigao Demographic Data, source Census of population and Housing 2000 Surigao Demographics 2000 Crude birthb (per thousand population) 27.02 Crude rate of natural increaseb (per thousand population) 19.69 Total fertility rateb (number of children per woman) 3.83 Life expectancy at birth b (in years;medium assumption) Male 62.96 Female 70.89 Annual growth rate 1.84 Population density 176/sq.km No. of households 92,645 Average household size 5.19 The Surigao Provincial Health Office (PHO) under Dr. Audie Relliquete and Dr. Ma. Isabel Bertulfo confirmed that they had a Dengue outbreak in 2008 and the following responses were done: § § § § City Information Education and Communication (IEC) campaign for three weeks – August to September was done with a team approach where a dengue brigade was formed; plans and protocols were integrated and developed: training on advocacy was done Dengue entomology was strengthened and a house to house campaign to rid the vector breeding places was done Intensified case finding with the Provincial health team leader and barangay health scholar together with the PHO personnel Blood smearing/ food for blood (feeding of indigenous people) exchange where blood smearing of Indigenous people was done and food was given to support their travel (since they had to travel far distances) for the test; the national commission on indigenous people (NCIP) officers helped to increase case finding and detection In a November 2007 outbreak of dengue cases in Surigao city, Mayor Alfonso Casurra highlighted the importance of families regularly eliminating possible mosquito breeding sites in their households, such as disposing unused objects and containers that can collect water; emptying of bottles, tires, and tin cans; and constantly replacing the water in flower vases. The City Health Officer Dr. Aldine Morales on his part, advised people to practice the 4S in defeating dengue – Search and Destroy, by destroying breeding places of mosquitoes; Self-protection measures – by increasing one’s body resistance; Seeking early consultation by going to health centers and hospitals once fever has set in for two days; and saying no to indiscriminate fogging. The use of insect repellant, mosquito nets, and insecticides can also help minimize the presence of mosquitoes in households, he added. He also urged the media and the health authorities to coordinate their efforts in giving out information about health situations so as not to confuse the public. Schistosomiasis is also another disease that has been plaguing the community. Adaptation has not been that successful as it continues to abound. The setting up of toilets and health education for hygiene have been some of the activities that the health office has been doing to break the life cycle. In other studies