The Pinoy-Pinay
Health Project
The Pinoy-Pinay
Health Project
© Graphics by Ashlynne Bracamonte
WELCOME
The Pinoy-Pinay Health (PH) Project aims to examine how ecological stressors, including socio-political conditions, influence maternal-fetal dynamics and their biological systems among pregnant Filipina women, an under-researched group and susceptible to poor health outcomes. We explore the political landscape and the range of political beliefs, connecting it to pregnancy and birth outcomes. The overarching goal is to understand what causes preterm birth, which can be used to inform public health recommendations and social policies worldwide. Policy implications include driving equitable access to healthcare and antenatal services for underserved populations.
MABUHAY
Nilalayon ng Proyekto ng Pinoy-Pinay Health (PH) na suriin kung paano nakakaimpluwensya ang mga ecological stressors, kabilang ang mga kondisyong sosyo-pampulitika, sa dinamika sa pagitan ng mga ina at sanggol at kanilang mga biological system sa mga buntis na kababaihang Pilipina, isang grupong under-researched at madaling kapitan ng mga hindi kagusto-gustong kalusugan. Sinisiyasat namin ang politika at ang hanay ng mga paniniwalang pampolitika, para maikonekta ito sa mga kalabasan ng pagbubuntis at kapanganakan. Ang pangkalahatang layunin ay maunawaan ang mga sanhi ng preterm birth, na maaaring magamit upang ipabatid ang mga rekomendasyong pangkalusugang pampubliko at mga patakaran ng lipunan sa buong mundo. Kabilang sa mga implikasyon ng patakaran ang pagtataguyod ng makatarungan na access sa pangangalagang pangkalusugan at mga serbisyong antenatal para sa mga populasyong hindi nabibigyan ng pangangalaga.
TEAM/GRUPO
Kristine Joy Chua, Ph.D.
University of Notre Dame
Dr. Chua is the lead researcher at the University of Notre Dame. Her research interests broadly center around perceptions of mortality risk, evolutionary developmental psychology, individual differences and social behavior, and gestational health. See website for more info.
Si Dr. Chua ay ang nangungunang mananaliksik sa University of Notre Dame. Ang kanyang mga interes ay malawak na nakasentro sa mga pananaw sa panganib ng nakakamatay, “evolutionary developmental psychology,” mga pagkakaiba ng indibidwal at pag-uugali sa lipunan, at kalusugan ng panganganak. See website.
Zoe Pamonag, M.P.H.
Johns Hopkins University
Ms. Pamonag is a recent graduate of Johns Hopkins University having completed her Masters in Public Health. She earned a B.S. in Neuroscience at UCLA. She is interested in how culture impacts health and biology. She enjoys learning about her Filipina heritage and spending time with her dog.
Si Ms. Pamonag ay nakapagtapos ng Masters in Public Health sa Johns Hopkins University. Nakapagtapos siya ng B.S. sa Neuroscience sa UCLA. Interesado siya sa kung paano nakakaapekto ang kultura sa kalusugan at biyolohiya. Nasisiyahan siyang matuto tungkol sa kanyang kultura at magpalipas ng oras kasama ang kanyang aso.
Kiersten Rose Mateo Reyes, M.P.H.
University of California, Irvine
Ms. Reyes is a recent graduate of UC Irvine School of Public Health and holds a Masters in Public Health. She is interested in how culture impacts health and biology. She enjoys learning about her Filipina heritage and spending time with her dog. She earned her B.A. in English at UC Berkeley. Her interests lie in education, community outreach, public and mental health.
Si Ms. Reyes ay nakapagtapos sa UC Irvine School of Public Helath at mayroong Masters in Public Health. Interesado siya sa kung paano nakakaapekto ang kultura sa kalusugan at biology. Nasisiyahan siyang malaman ang tungkol sa kanyang Filipina heritage at gumugol ng oras kasama ang kanyang aso. Nakuha niya ang kanyang B.A. sa Ingles sa UC Berkeley. Ang kanyang mga interes ay nakasalalay sa edukasyon, outreach sa komunidad, kalusugan ng publiko at mental health.
Jessica Asuncion, M.S.
Mariano Marcos State University
Ms. Asuncion is a lecturer in the Biology Department at Mariano Marcos State University. She is currently finishing up her Master of Science in Biology. Her research interests include immunology and physiology of milk using pig models. Outside of research, she enjoys cooking and traveling.
Si Ms. Asuncion ay isang lektor ng Kagawaran ng Biyolohiya sa Mariano Marcos State University. Kasalukuyan niyang tinatapos ang kanyang Master of Science in Biology. Kasama sa kanyang mga interes ang pananaliksik ng imyolohiya at pisyolohiya ng gatas gamit ang mga modelo ng baboy. Sa labas ng pananaliksik, nasisiyahan siya sa pagluluto at paglilibot.
Sherazade G. Guindayan, M.S.W.
Save the Ifugao Terraces Movement
Ms. Guindayan graduated with a B.S. in Social Work at St. Louis University, Baguio City and completed her Masters in Public Administration at Ifugao State University Main, Lamut, Ifugao. She is currently employed at LGU Asipulo and volunteers her time with the Asipulo Youth Leaders Organization and with the Save the Ifugao Terrace Movement.
Nagtapos si Ms. Guindayan na may B.S. sa Social Work sa St. Louis University, Baguio City at nakumpleto niya ang kanyang Masters in Public Administration sa Ifugao State University Main, Lamut, Ifugao. Siya ay kasalukuyang nagtatrabaho sa LGU Asipulo at nagboboluntaryo ng kanyang oras sa Asipulo Youth Leaders Organization at sa Save the Ifugao Terrace Movement.
Previous Research Assistants /
Nakaraang mga Katulong sa Pananaliksik
Marianne Mae Enciso
Verronica Joyce Rico
Alyssa Bettina Arbolant
PARTNERSHIPS
Mariano Marcos State University
Batac, Ilocos Norte, Philippines
Dr. Shirley Agrupis
Dr. Doreen Domingo
Dr. Mee Jay Domingo
Dr. Prima Fe R. Franco
Dr. Rhoda Beth M. Santos
Dr. Matet Arzadon Blanco
Dr. Flordeliz Rapacon-Estira
James Paul Madigal
Mıc Albano Mac
Junel A. Biding
Deo Cadalzo
Northwestern University, Laoag City
Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, Philippines
Atty. Ferdinand S. Nicolas, President
Maria Liza Nicolas, MBA, EVP
Karl Lenin C. Benigno, VPA
Dr. Charlie Bulalayao, Dean of CAHS
Dr. Roseli Aurelio
Prof. Imelda Dawang
Jenny Abadilla, Director of CBDEA
Verna Ragonjan, Facilities Director
Celine Hernandez, MCMC Director
Claire Reynon-Saturnino
Charmie Nemalyn G. Malto
Cetelou S. Corado
Governor Roque B. Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital
Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, Philippines
Dr. Arlene Ragasa, Chief of Hospital
Dr. Michelle Braceros-Panaligan
Dr. Lucky Faith A. Dequina
Dr. Mona Liza Hernando-Abadilla
Dr. Charina Nacion
Dr. Marcelle Leaño
Dr. Miriam Donna Valdez-Caroy
Prof. Gohmer G. Guillermo, R.N., MAN, Head Nurse
Prof. Maris Pichay, R.N., MAN, Head of OR
Kathlyn Joy Doropan, R.N.
Mariel Fuentes, R.N.
April Zjanri Domingo, R.N.
Mariel Fuentes, R.N.
Babyruth Santos, R.N.
Maria Lux S. Bonoan, R.N.
Sharlyn T. Agtang, R.N.
Eunice Twinkle de la Cruz, R.N.
Lerma Bermas, R.N.
Jesus Walter Josue Jr., R.N.
William Dimagiba, R.N.
Richard Allan Lao, R.N.
Mary Anne B. Malvar, R.N.
Lovella B. Salvador, R.N.
Heidi S. Tingco, R.N.
Antonio Basilio, R.N.
Richelle Puyaoan, R.N.
April Zjanri Domingo, R.N.
Mariel Fuentes, R.N.
Babyruth Santos, R.N.
Maria Lux S. Bonoan, R.N.
Sharlyn T. Agtang, R.N.
Mary Anne B. Malvar, R.N.
Lovella B. Salvador, R.N.
Heidi S. Tingco, R.N.
Antonio Basilio, R.N.
Richelle Puyaoan, R.N.
Tristan De La Cruz
Angie M. Quitog
Shilly S. Salle
Leila S. Domingsil
Mary Jean Q. Arcucan
Robert J. Cadiw-Cadiw
Ronald Pablo
Jimmy L. Que
Marino Bartolome
Rando Liao
Save the Ifugao Terraces Movement
Ifugao, Philippines
Marlon Martin, COO
University of California, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A.
Dr. Abigail Bigham
Dr. Cindy Sangalang
Dr. H. Clark Barrett
Dr. Stephen Acabado
A.J. Estrella
Allene De Castro
Daneille Mangaliag
Erika Acepcion
Jocelyn Mendoza
RELEVANT RESEARCH / NAUUNGAY NA PAG-AARAL
WHAT ARE OUR STUDY GOALS? / ANO ANG ATING MGA LAYUNIN SA PANANALIKSIK?
We examine how pregnant and recently pregnant Filipino mothers view the political climate and how much these mothers experience stress from their environment. We also examine how Filipino culture can serve as a coping strategy to help reduce stress.
Sinusurinamin kung paano tinitingnan ng mga buntis at kamakailang buntis ang klima sa politika ng Pilipinas at kung paano sila nakakaranas ng stress mula sa kanilang kapaligiran. Sinusuri din namin kung paano magsisilbing diskarte sa pagharap ang kulturang Pilipino upang makatulong ito sa pagbabawas ng stress.
HOW WAS THIS DONE? / PAANO ITO GINAWA?
We recruited 21 pregnant and recently pregnant Filipino mothers from all over the Philippines. We conducted virtual interviews. The average mother was 28 years old, high school graduate, with more than 1 child. About half of the mothers were pregnant at the time of the interviews.
Nag-recruitkami ng 21 buntis at kamakailang buntis na mga nanay mula sa buong Pilipinas. Nagsagawa kami ng mga virtual na panayam. Ang karaniwang ina ay 28 taong gulang, nakapagtapos ng high school, at may higit sa 1 anak. Halos kalahati ng mga ina ay buntis sa panahon ng mga panayam.
WHY IT MATTERS? / BAKIT ITO MAHALAGA?
Most research on stress and pregnancy are done in the U.S. in other European countries. Cultural values are often not addressed. As a result, there is a lot that we don't know about how mothers cope with stress and whether cultural values act as a coping strategy.
Karamihan sa mga pananaliksik sa stress at pagbubuntis ay ginagawa sa U.S. at sa ibang mga bansa sa Europa. Ang kultura ay kadalasang hindi madalas sinasaliksik . Bilang resulta, marami tayong hindi alam kung paano hinaharap ng mga ina ang stress at kung ang kultura ay nagsisilbing pamamaraan sa pagharap.
WHAT WAS FOUND? / ANO ANG NATAGPUAN?
While most women reported feeling stressed due to their environment, there was a wide range in these reports. Using thematic analysis to systematically identify themes, we found that mothers who reported stress from their environments were shaped by three major categories. This ranged from aspects of themselves that we could visibly like the amount of interaction mothers have with the media (e.g., news, Facebook) to the aspects that are deeply rooted within us like the cultural values and attitudes that we believe in that make us respond differently. Between these two categories is the unseen culture which is how much mothers consider themselves to be directly affected by their environment. Altogether, our results suggest that how pregnant and recently pregnant mothers respond and cope with stress is deeply rooted in Filipino cultural values and norms, specifically, the "bahala na" culture.
Habang ang karamihan ng mga babae ay nag-ulat na nakakaramdam ng stress dahil sa kanilang kapaligiran, nakita namin na may maraming iba’t ibang mga karanasan sa kanilang mga sagot. Gamit ang thematic analysis upang sistematikong matukoy ang mga tema, natutunan namin na ang mga ina na nag-ulat ng stress mula sa kanilang mga kapaligiran ay bahagi ng tatlong pangunahing kategorya. Ito ay mula sa mga aspeto ng kanilang mga sarili na kitang-kita natin tulad ng paggamit ng mga ina ng media (e.g., nanonood or nakikinig ng balita, bumabasa ng posts sa Facebook), hanggang sa mga aspeto na malalim sa atin, tulad ng mga kultural na halaga at pinaniniwalaan natin. Sa pagitan ng dalawang kategoryang ito ay kultura na hindi nakikita kung saan itinuturing ng mga ina ang kanilang sarili na direktang apektado ng kanilang kapaligiran. Iminumungkahi ng aming mga resulta na kung paano tumugon at nakakaharap sa stress ang mga buntis at kamakailang buntis na mga ina ay malalim na nakaugat sa mga halaga at pamantayan ng kulturang Pilipino, partikular, ang kulturang "bahala na".
WHAT DOES IT MEAN? / ANONG IBIG SABIHIN NITO?
Our findings contribute to the cross-cultural nature of prenatal stress and how the socio-political climate might impact maternal health during pregnancy. More research is needed to understand what are the different kinds of coping strategies for women experiencing stressful environments and their effects on pregnancy biology.
Ang aming mga natuklasan ay nag-aambag sa cross-cultural na kalikasan ng prenatal stress at kung paano maaaring makaapekto ang sosyo-politikal na klima sa kalusugan ng ina sa panahon ng pagbubuntis. Marami pang pananaliksik ang kailangan upang maunawaan ang iba't ibang uri ng mga pamamaraan para sa kahirapan ng mga babae na nakakaranas ng mga nakaka-stress na kapaligiran at ang kanilang mga epekto sa biology ng pagbubuntis.
This summary describes the work of:
Chua, K.J., Reyes, K.R., Pamonag, Z., Art, M.C., Francisco, L. L., Asuncion, J. G., & Bigham, A. W. "Embodiment of sociopolitical stress during pregnancy and preceding expression of stress coping strategies among perinatal Filipina women." For more information, please contact Dr. Kristine Joy Chua at kchua2@nd.edu.
Inilalarawan ng buod na ito ang gawain ni:
Chua, K. J., *Pamonag, Z., Francisco, L. L., Asuncion, J. G., Bigham, A. W., & Boddy, A. "Embodiment of sociopolitical stress during pregnancy and preceding expression of stress coping strategies among perinatal Filipina women." Para sa karagdagang impormasyon, mangyaring makipag-ugnayan Dr. Kristine Joy Chua at kchua2@ndedu.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS / NAPILING MGA PUBLIKASYON
†Chua, K. J., †Knorr, D., Jimenez, J., Rojas, V., Francia, A., Garcia, J. I., & Fox, M. (2023). What do your neighbors think about you? How perceived neighborhood attitudes towards Latinos influence mental health among a pregnant Latina cohort. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Disparities.1-12. [PDF]
†both authors contributed equally.
Wiley, K.S., Knorr, D., Chua, K. J., Garcia, S. & Fox, M. (2023). Sociopolitical stressors are associated with psychological distress in a cohort of Latina women during early pregnancy. Journal of Community Psychology, 51(7), 3044-3059. [PDF]
Hotez, E., Chua, K.J., Samras, N., Smith, A.M., & Kuo, A. (2023). Preliminary pilot testing of social determinants of health screening for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Med-Peds. Cureus. 15(5). e38541. [PDF]
Chua, K. J., Lukaszewski, A. W., & Manson, J. (2020). Sex-specific effects of harsh childhood environment on psychometrically assessed life history strategy: No mediation through developmental timing or embodied capital. Adaptive Human Behavior and Physiology. 6(3), 307-333. [PDF]
Sangkhae, V., Fisher, A. L., Chua, K. J., Ruchala, P., Ganz, T., & Nemeth, E. (2020). Maternal hepcidin determines embryo iron homeostais. Blood, 136(19), 2206-2216. [PDF]
Chua, K. J. & Manson, J. (2020). Absence prior to puberty. In Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_2037-1 [PDF]
Clauss, N., Byrd-Craven, J., & Kennison, S. M., & Chua, K. J. (2017). The roles of mothers’ partner satisfaction and mother-infant communication duration in mother-infant adrenocortical attunement. Adaptive Human Behavior and Physiology, 1-17. [PDF]
Chua, K. J., Lukaszewski, A. W., Grant, D. M., & Sng, O. Human life history strategies: Calibrated to external or internal cues? (2017). Evolutionary Psychology, 15(1), 1-16. [PDF]
Chua, K. J. (2016). Stress reactivity. In Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_1921-1. [PDF]
SELECTED PRESENTATIONS / NAPILING MGAPAGTATANGHAL
Chua, K. J., Pamonag, Z., Art, M.C.,Francisco, L. L., Asuncion, J. G., Bigham, A. W. (2023, August). Culture- bound attitudes and the embodiment of socio-political stress in pregnant Filipina women. Poster presentation at the annual meeting of the International Society for Evolution, Medicine and Public Health, Irvine, CA.
Chua, K. J., Knorr, D. A., & Fox, M. M. (2020, October). The role of individual and subjective neighborhood socio-cultural identity and ethnic attitudes in maternal mental health in a pregnant Latina population. Population Centers of the University of California Event, “Race and Inequality: A Collaborative UCPop Event,” Virtual Meeting.
Chua,K. J. (2020, March). Epigenetics of maternal-fetal programming in pregnancy. Invited talk at the Center of Social Human Nature. California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA.
Chua,K. J., Manson, J., & Fox, M. M. (2020, April; accepted, conference cancelled due to COVID-19). A life history perspective on perceived mortality risk in the Philippines: The relationship between political dynamics, future safety, and birth outcomes. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Human Biological Association, Los Angeles, CA.
Chua,K. J. (2019, July). Conducting research in the Philippines and basic quantitative approaches. Invited talk at 1 st Graduate Lecture Series in
Advanced Biology, Mariano Marcos State University, Batac City, Philippines.MEDIA
2023 STAT Wunderkind Award
Dr. Chua is recognized for being a rising star in science and medicine!
UCSB The Current
Press release showcasing how Dr. Chua is expanding Filipina maternal health research.
Philippine Post
Press release highlighting Dr. Chua's contributions to Filipino scholarship and health research.
UC Irvine College of Health Sciences Scholars Day and Excellence in MPH Practicum Award
Kiersten Reyes presents on the embodiment of sociopolitical stress and coping strategies among pregnant Filipina women. She was also awarded the Excellence in MPH Practicum Award.
