The municipality of Buenavista, Guimaras had a total population of 52,899 persons based on the 2020 Census of Population and Housing (2020 CPH). The household population of 52,854 persons comprised 99.91 percent of the total population recorded as of the time of census-taking.

Of the 52,854 total household population in Nueva Valencia, Guimaras, 4,935 (9.34%) were experiencing functional difficulty, of which 58.72% were females and 41.28 were males. Most of the females aged 5 to 14 and 65 years and above have mild to severe functional difficulties, while men of age group 15 to 64 years old have mild to severe functional difficulties higher than females.

A large gender gap was noted among male and female household populations with functional difficulties for age groups 5 to 14, 15 to 64, and 65 years old and over, wherein women outnumbered men by 10.81, 5.59, and 28.07 percentage points, respectively.

The six (6) categories of functional difficulty include difficulty in seeing even if wearing glasses, in Hearing even if using a hearing aid, Walking/Climbing Steps, Remembering/ Concentrating, Self Caring (washing all over/dressing), and difficulty in Communicating, affecting individuals' ability to perform daily activities.

Among the six categories of functional difficulty, the highest proportion was recorded among individuals experiencing difficulty seeing even if wearing glasses, accounting for 50.35% of households with functional difficulty, with a higher prevalence among women (59.88%) than men (40.12%). This was followed by difficulty in walking or climbing steps, affecting 16.07% of households, with women (56.12%) being more affected than men (43.88%). Difficulty in hearing even when using a hearing aid was the third most common, comprising 12.93% of households, with women (56.58%) outnumbering men (43.42%).

Meanwhile, challenges related to remembering or concentrating were reported by 8.69% of households, affecting more women (63.64%) than men (36.36%). Difficulties in self-care (6.04%) and communication (5.92%) were the least prevalent, with women (57.38% and 54.79%, respectively) being slightly more affected than men (42.62% and 45.21%, respectively).

In terms of severity, the household population in Buenavista with mild difficulty accounted for the bulk comprising 77.04% dominated by females, followed by those with moderate difficulty, which accounted for 14.51%, female dominance, and those with severe difficulty had the least with 8.45% share, still dominated by females.

Additionally, the percentage distribution of functional difficulty by sex in the Municipality of Buenavista, Guimaras, as revealed by the 2020 CPH result showed that female household members got a higher proportion, accounting for 58.72% translating to 2,829 individuals. Meanwhile, males comprised 41.28% equivalent to 2,037 individuals.

Of the 2,829 total female household population with functional difficulty, 30.15% had difficulty in seeing even if wearing glasses, followed by those with difficulty in walking/climbing steps comprising 9.02%, closely followed by those with difficulty in hearing even if using a hearing aid, and remembering/concentrating with 7.32% and 5.53%, respectively.

Furthermore, household population with challenges in self-caring (washing all over/dressing), and in communicating had lesser percentage of 3.47% and 3.24%, respectively. 

Figure 2 shows the percentage distribution of household population in Buenavista, Guimaras with functional difficulties, wherein males had a lesser number than females accounting for 41.28% and 58.72%, respectively.

Of the total 2,037 males (41.28%) experiencing functional difficulties, 20.20% had difficulty in seeing even if wearing glasses, 7.05% had difficulty in walking/climbing steps, 5.61% with hearing impairment even if using a hearing aid, and 3.16% had difficulty in remembering/concentrating.

Moreover, the household population with challenges in communicating, and self-caring (washing all over/dressing) had lesser percentages of 2.67% and 2.57%, respectively.

The top three functional difficulties experienced by household members which accounted for 79.35% of the municipal total included: seeing even if wearing glasses, hearing even if using a hearing aid, and walking/climbing steps.

The mild functional difficulty in seeing even if wearing glasses, was higher among females than in males starting in the age groups 10-14 up to 80 years old and over. While moderate and severe functional difficulty in seeing even if wearing glasses were also higher among females than males.

Household population in Buenavista with difficulty in walking/climbing steps, mild up to severe cases was higher among females than males. Moreover, in the household population with hearing impairment even if using a hearing aid, mild and severe cases were higher among females than males, but for moderate cases, the number was higher among males. Cases soared among age groups 50 years and over.

TECHNICAL NOTES

The Philippine Statistics Authority conducted the 2020 Census of Population and Housing (2020 CPH) in September 2020, with 01 May 2020 as reference date.

The 2020 CPH was the 15th census of population and 7th census of housing that was undertaken in the Philippines since the first census in 1903. It was designed to take inventory of the total population and housing units in the country and collect information about their characteristics.

The Philippine Standard Geographic Codes as of April 2022 was used for the disaggregation of geographic levels of the 2020 CPH.

Age refers to the interval of time between a person’s date of birth and their last birthday prior to the census reference date, expressed in completed years or whole numbers.

Functional Difficulty is a limitation in performing daily activities due to impairments in seeing, walking, hearing, remembering, self-caring, or communicating.

Household is a social unit consisting of a person or a group of persons who sleep in the same housing unit and have a common arrangement in the preparation and consumption of food.

Household Population refers to all persons who are members of a household.

Mild is a level of functional difficulty where an individual experiences some limitations but can still perform daily tasks with minimal assistance.

Moderate is a level of functional difficulty where an individual faces noticeable challenges in performing daily activities and may require occasional support.

Severe is a level of functional difficulty where an individual experiences significant impairments, requiring substantial assistance or specialized care.

Severity is the extent or degree of difficulty an individual faces in carrying out daily activities due to functional impairments.

Sex is the biological and physiological reality of being male or female.