History, Topography, Demography, Socio Economic and Political Profile, and Health: A Systematic Review of Literature Pertaining to ARMM: One of the Bases for the Development of ARMM Research Agenda

Abstract

The research agenda for Autonomous Region of the Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) for 2017 to 2022 must be set. This agenda will be the basis for the development of future researches in the next five years. There is a need to review literature and data about ARMM so that researchers and stakeholders can focus on the problems of the ARMM provinces. Conducting researches based on agenda issues can significantly help generate solutions that match the real health needs of the region. Despite the presence of an available systematic reporting system in the area, there is a dearth of literature on the data necessary to comprehensively review some aspects of health in ARMM. This systematic review examines the literature only on the history, topography, demography, socio-economic, political profile of the region and its relation to health from 2010 to 2015. The electronic databases reviewed for the systematic review of the literature included the ARMM official Website, the Website that publishes Philippine Statistics Authority Reports regarding ARMM ie. CountrySTAT, Google Scholar website, 2015 Census of Population data, DOH FHSIS data 2012-2015, the ARMM Transparency Seal of Approved Budget, PSA Family Income Expenditure Survey and National Anti-Poverty Commission websites, CHED website, and website of the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development. The search terms included "ARMM," "history," "topography," "demography," "socio-economic profile," "political profile," and "health." Seven sets of articles and data were reviewed. The available data and reports provide evidence used as the basis for the formulation of research agenda for ARMM. The literature was divided into the themes i.e. history, topography, demography, socio-economic, political profile and emerging health issues. The available literature provides evidence that the emerging issues can contribute to the drafting of research agenda for ARMM for 2017-2022. The systematic review revealed gap/issues which can be made as a guide for further research towards solving the health problems of ARMM.