Understanding and enhancing immune resilience among children in the Southern Philippines through parental perspectives: A qualitative case study

Abstract

Background: Children in rural communities face significant health challenges due to environmental hazards and limited access to healthcare. Understanding their immune resilience and parental perspectives is crucial for addressing health disparities in such contexts. Objective: This research aimed to explore the immune resilience of children in Tugaya, Lanao del Sur, Philippines, and understand parental perspectives on fostering their children’s health in the face of environmental challenges. Methods: A qualitative case study approach was used. Ten parents of children aged 5-10 from two barangays were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected from 15 January 2024 to 15 February 2024 through semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using a thematic analysis. Results: Three main themes were generated: 1) Parental guardianship of children’s immune resilience, 2) Parental insights on fostering immune resilience in children, and 3) Parental perception and action in nurturing children’s immune resilience. These themes highlight parental roles in nurturing health, understanding immune resilience, prioritizing children’s well-being, maintaining cleanliness, providing balanced diets, and promoting proactive and informed parenting practices. Conclusion: It is evident that parents play a crucial role in fostering immune resilience among children by adopting various strategies. Understanding these perspectives can inform public health policies and community interventions to improve children’s health in similar rural contexts. This insight has significant implications for healthcare management and policy, suggesting the need for targeted support and interventions to empower parents in rural communities to enhance their children’s immune resilience.