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What We Do

Our Big Ideas

Guided by behavior economics and human-centered design, CHSI creates, tests, and evaluates innovative solutions to development issues.

We ask
"Why?"

Why do teen girls get pregnant at age 17?

Many Filipino teen girls get pregnant at the age of 17. Most of them have limited access to accurate information about their reproductive health.

Why are houses in rural villages without toilets?

In 2014, seven of 10 households in rural villages still practiced open defecation. They were unaware of affordable, alternative sanitary toilet options.

Why can’t teachers talk confidently about sexuality?

Most teachers feel ill-equipped to teach about human sexuality. Learning materials on CSE for Filipino students are also limited.

Why don’t people with TB finish their treatment?

Only 78% of Filipinos with tuberculosis get to complete their treatment. Those who do not finish treatment run the risk of developing to the more dangerous drug-resistant TB (DRTB) disease.

Why do young MSMs get infected with HIV?

Many Filipino girls experience shame and discomfort when they get their first menstruation. They hear a lot of misconceptions about menstruation.

We make simple
solutions work.

Why do teen girls get pregnant at age 17?

You-for-You (U4U)
Teen Trail

An interactive exhibit about puberty, sexuality, romance, and the dangers of teen pregnancy. Teens go through games facilitated by peer educators, instead of sitting passively listening to hour-long talks. Self-respect is key to better teen health, hence the campaign is called U4U.

Learn more

Why are houses in rural villages without toilets?

"Goodbye, Dumi! Hello, Healthy! "

A musical play performed by young artists in a community about a fly falling in love with a stump of feces. The play is part of “Goodbye, Dumi! Hello, Healthy!”

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Why can’t teachers talk confidently about sexuality?

Comprehensive Sexuality Education

In 2016, CHSI and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) worked with the Department of Education (DepEd) to test the readiness of schoolteachers and principals to implement a comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) program.

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Why are young girls scared of their period?

#MeronAko

With the support of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), CHSI designed and implemented #MeronAko for the Department of Education.

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Why don’t people with TB finish their treatment?

IngaTBaga

#ingaTBaga is a health promotion campaign, designed by CHSI Philippines, Inc. (CHSI) for the Olongapo City Health Department to find, treat, and prevent as many TB cases as possible.

Learn more

We ask
"Why?"

Why do teen girls get pregnant at age 17?

Why are houses in rural villages without toilets?

Why can’t teachers talk confidently about sexuality?

Why don’t people with TB finish their treatment?

Why do young MSMs get infected with HIV?

We make simple
solutions work.

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Teen Trail

An interactive exhibit about puberty, sexuality, romance, and the dangers of teen pregnancy. Teens go through games facilitated by peer educators, instead of sitting passively listening to hour-long talks. Self-respect is key to better teen health, hence the campaign is called U4U.

Learn more

Teen Trail

Fly-feces Love Story

A musical play performed by young artists in a community about a fly falling in love with a stump of feces. The play is part of “Goodbye, Dumi! Hello, Healthy!”

Learn more

Fly-feces Love Story

Choose-the-next-action Comics

A comics magazine that asks readers to make choices for the characters. Should I build a toilet or not? Should I wash my hands or not?

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Choose-the-next-action Comics

Diorama for Kap

A colorful cut-and-fold diorama about handwashing, sanitary toilets, and waste segregation. Instead of a Powerpoint presentation, sanitation officers and health workers use the diorama to convince leaders to implement a local approach to sustainable sanitation.

Learn more

Diorama for Kap

Slam book for teachers

A reference material for teachers that brings them back to their high school years. A trip down memory lane gets them ready to talk about romance and sexuality with their students.

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Slam book for teachers

Take Care/Take Home medicine bag

A musical play performed by young artists in a community about a fly falling in love with a stump of feces. The play is part of “Goodbye, Dumi! Hello, Healthy!”

Learn more

Take Care/Take Home medicine bag

Bag of tricks

A musical play performed by young artists in a community about a fly falling in love with a stump of feces. The play is part of “Goodbye, Dumi! Hello, Healthy!”

Learn more

Bag of tricks

Period tips for young girls

Animated videos and colorful booklet about turning a negative period experience into a positive journey into adulthood. This is #MeronAko.

Learn more

Period tips for young girls

Center for Health Solutions & Innovations Philippines, Inc.
Unit 2411 Cityland 10 Tower 1 156 H.V. Dela Costa St. Salcedo Village, Makati City 1227

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Teen pregnancy in the Philippines

Teen pregnancy rate is down but the actual number of pregnant teens has gone up.

In 2012, about 43,000 Filipino teens got pregnant at age 17. This was 6.7% of all 17-year-old teen girls. In 2022, the teen pregnancy rate among 17-year-olds has gone down to 5.4% but this proportion is equal to 61,000 pregnant teens.

With funding from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), CHSI conducted several studies to understand why Filipino girls get pregnant on the average at age 17.

Teen Romance: How do teens view sex, romance, and relationships?

In 2013, CHSI interviewed 71 students and out-of-school youth in Albay Province in a series of focused group discussions. We learned that:

  • Romance begins with a “Hello! How are you?” text message.
  • Parents are never their source of information about romantic relationships and sex.
  • An “all-knowing” older friend is usually the go-to person for sex talk.
  • Getting drunk gets somebody pregnant.
  • They do not go to a health center for their teen health concerns.

Teen Moms: Where do teen moms give birth?

In 2016, CHSI reviewed 3,200 birth data records in selected cities and provinces. We found that:

  • The mean age of teen moms was 17.8 years old.
  • 42% gave birth at hospitals but 13% delivered their babies at home.
  • Of 720 births with information about the father of the child, 96% of fathers were older than the teen moms.
Watch video here

Teen Moms and Productivity: How much potential income is lost when teens get pregnant and drop out of school?

In 2016, CHSI and Dr. Alejandro Herrin calculated how much is lost when a teen mom drops out of school and becomes unemployable. We learned that:

  • Getting pregnant reduces a girl’s chance to complete high school.
  • Teen moms are likely to become low-income earners.
  • About 33 billion pesos are lost if teen girls become pregnant and unemployable throughout their lifetime.
Read article here

Sex Talk with Parents: Are parents ready to talk about sex with their teens?

In 2017, CHSI and the Social Weather Stations (SWS) surveyed 1,000 parents and their teen children. We found that:

  • Filipino parents are uncomfortable to talk about sex and sexuality with their teen children.
  • They cite missing education as a direct consequence of teen pregnancy.
  • 77% of parents agree that a comprehensive sexuality education program be taught in schools.

Access to sanitary toilets in the Philippines

About 705,000 Filipino households still do not have their own toilets.

In 2013, 9% of households in rural villages practiced open defecation. In 2022, this proportion went down to 5%.

 

No Money for Toilets: Why do rural households have no toilets?

In 2014, CHSI interviewed mothers and fathers in Masbate about the practice of open defecation. We found that:

  • Most families lived on lots owned by others. Digging earth for toilet construction is not allowed.
  • They thought that toilets were expensive and beyond their reach.
  • They would build toilets for their children primarily for safety reasons.
Watch video here

Comprehensive sexuality education in the Philippines

Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) helps young people make safe and healthy choices about identity, relationships, and life goals. Schools can provide accurate and age-appropriate information to prevent early pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, and gender-based violence.

Readiness of Teachers: Are teachers ready to talk about CSE?

In 2018, CHSI surveyed 700 schoolteachers, principals, and education supervisors about the readiness of the Department of Education (DepEd) in implementing a comprehensive sexuality education. We found that:

  • Teachers and principals are aware of CSE principles and concepts.
  • They are supportive of CSE and the need to integrate this in the basic education curriculum.
  • They need additional skills and tools to be more effective in implementing CSE.

Tuberculosis (TB) treatment in the Philippines

The Philippines has the highest TB incidence rate in Asia.

In 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that there were 643 TB cases for every 100,000 people in the Philippines. In 2023, the Department of Health (DOH) reported that over 600,000 people were diagnosed with TB. 

Patient experience in TB clinics: How satisfied are people with TB (PWTB) with services provided in TB clinics?

In 2016, CHSI conducted a mystery client study in 194 public and private TB clinics. We found that:

  • Majority of the TB clinics in the study had good ventilation.
  • Health care workers were generally friendly and welcoming.
  • Having privacy during consultation was the biggest concern.

HIV among MSMs in the Philippines

Majority of persons living with HIV and AIDS in the Philippines are male.

From 1984 to 2023, there were 126,378 reported HIV and AIDS cases in the Philippines. 94% of the cases were male. One in three people with HIV and AIDS is a Filipino male aged 15 to 24 years old.

Condom Use at First Sex: Do young MSM (15-29 years old) use condom at first sexual experience?

In 2016, CHSI surveyed 908 men-having-sex-with-men (MSM) in Quezon, Cebu, and Davao cities. We found that:

  • On average, MSM had their first sexual encounter at the age of 15.6 years old.
  • Only 34% used protection at first sex. Unplanned sex was the most common reason for not using condoms.
  • Only 54% ever had an HIV test.