Lyceum-Northwestern University Senior High School i
LEMONGRASS (CYMBOPOGON CITRATUS) AS AN ALTERNATIVE FOR
MOSQUITO REPELLENT LOTION BARS AMONG GRADE 12 STUDENTS IN
LYCEUM-NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
A Quantitative and Qualitative Study
Presented to the Faculty and Staff of Senior High School
Lyceum-Northwestern University
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
In Research Project and Research Capstone
Grade 12- STEM 1
Jasmin Angela C. Milflores
Artheia Mikhaela E. Ydeo
Ralph Eric G. Madrid
Cyryl B. Navarro
Faithryen Heart P. Santok
Inrich T. Sentinellar
Roanne Kaye E. Torres
Raiza Michaella C. Osorio
Stephanie Grace F. Paragas
May 2023
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APPROVAL SHEET
This study entitled “LEMONGRASS (CYMBOPOGON CITRATUS) AS AN
ALTERNATIVE FOR MOSQUITO REPELLENT LOTION BARS” submitted by
Jasmin Angela C. Milflores, Ralph Eric G. Madrid, Cyryl B. Navarro, Faithryen
Heart P. Santok, Inrich T. Sentinellar, Roanne Kaye E. Torres, Raiza Michaella C.
Osorio, Stephanie Grace F. Paragas, Artheia Mikhaela E. Ydeo, in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the subject Research Project and Research Capstone has been
examined and is hereby recommended for Oral Examination.
___________________
Adviser
Research Examiners: Signature Date Signed
Jasmin Angela C. Milflores ________________ ______________
Member
Artheia Mikhaela E. Ydeo ________________ ______________
Member
Ralph Eric G. Madrid ________________ ______________
Member
Cyryl B. Navarro ________________ ______________
Member
Faithryen Heart P. Santok ________________ ______________
Member
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Inrich T. Sentinellar ________________ ______________
Member
Roanne Kaye E. Torres ________________ ______________
Member
Raiza Michaella C. Osorio ________________ ______________
Member
Stephanie Grace F. Paragas ________________ ______________
Member
Approved and passed by the Defense Panel on ______________.
_________________________
Chairman
______________________ ____________________
Member Member
Accepted and approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the subject
Research in Daily Life I.
MARIA MARTHA MANETTE A. MADRID, Ed.D. .
Principal .
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ABSTRACT
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Throughout the process of the overall research study, from writing and making a
research proposal in conducting this quantitative and qualitative research, the researchers
would like to express their deepest and sincerest gratitude to those who gave a helping
hand, and have shown their never-ending support, and motivation. This research would
not have been possible in any way without those people behind it.
First and foremost, praises and thanks to our Almighty God for His shower of
blessing and love, utmost strength, knowledge and guidance which have helped and
motivated the researchers to completely finish the study successfully with His grace;
To the researcher’s loved ones, family and friends, especially their parents for
their guidance, care, financial, emotional and mental support, and their sacrifices for
educating and preparing them for the near future.
To Dr. Czarina May Aucena and Mr. Ren Paul Vinluan, their Research Teachers,
who did not only stand as a teacher but also someone who taught and help the researchers
with patience and empathy, never left throughout the process of conducting the study
from the beginning ‘till the end, and whom they considered to be one of the person
behind the success of this study;
To their class adviser, Engr. Clamel Ventenilla, for the motivation, support and
for molding them into the best version of themselves;
To their batch mates, 12-STEM 1 A.Y. 2022- 2023, for the unending support for
each other, encouragement, help, and teamwork making sure that nobody is left behind;
To everyone, there’s no valuable words to express their appreciation for
everything that you have done.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
TITLE PAGE i
APPROVAL SHEET ii
ABSTRACT iv
ACKNOWLEDGMENT v
TABLE OF CONTENTS vi
LIST OF FIGURES vii
Chapter 1: THE PROBLEM 1
Rationale 1
Conceptual Framework 3
Research Paradigm 3
Statement of the Problem 4
Hypothesis 6
Significance of the Study 6
Scope and Delimitation of the Study 6
Definition of Terms 7
Chapter 2: METHODOLOGY 8
Research Design 8
Population and Locale of the Study 8
Data Gathering Procedure 9
Data Analysis Procedure 9
Statistical Treatment of Data 9
Chapter 3: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 12
Chapter 4: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 23
Summary 23
Conclusions 23
Recommendations 23
BIBLIOGRAPHY 24
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APPENDIX A 26
Questionnaire
Documentation
APPENDIX B 27
Letter of Permission to Conduct the Study
Letter to the Respondents
CURRICULUM VITAE 28
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CHAPTER 1
THE PROBLEM
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Mosquito-borne illnesses pose a significant global health concern, particularly in
the Philippines, where they cause millions of deaths and illnesses annually. Among the
most prevalent and potentially deadly mosquito-borne illnesses are dengue fever, malaria,
and Zika virus. Mosquitoes are known to transmit pathogenic microorganisms that
contribute to the incidence of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In 2022, the number of
dengue fever cases in the Philippines has risen by 118%, with 92,343 cases from January to
July, compared to 42,294 cases during the same period in 2021. However, dengue fever is
not the only infectious disease reported in increased numbers in the archipelago this year.
Chikungunya, another mosquito-borne viral infection transmitted by the same mosquito as
dengue, has seen a 389% increase in 2022, with the most significant increase in
Calabarzon, which has reported more than a 10,000% increase from one case in 2021 to
102 cases this year. The most common symptom of chikungunya is an abrupt onset of
fever, often accompanied by joint pain. Cholera cases are also up in the Philippines this
year, an increase of 231% from 757 cases through July 23, 2021, to 2,508 cases in 2022.
Over the past few years, there has been a growing interest in natural alternatives to
synthetic mosquito repellents. While sprays, lotions, and coils are commonly used to
prevent mosquito bites, they often contain harmful chemicals that can pose health risks to
humans. One promising candidate is lemongrass, a tropical plant known for its scent and
medicinal properties. The use of natural mosquito repellent is known to be more effective
and to maintain a healthy, eco-friendly atmosphere. Ancestors chose the raw materials
based on their knowledge and expertise. The recipe offers the highest level of mosquito
repulsion and is secure, environmentally friendly, affordable, and simple to use. In
addition, the insect repellent offers fewer health risks than those found in commercial
products. Lemongrass essential oil has been found to have mosquito-repellent properties,
making it a potential natural alternative to conventional mosquito repellents. Lotion bars,
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made from natural ingredients like beeswax, shea butter, and coconut oil, are an
increasingly popular eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to traditional liquid lotions. A
study by Montenegro et al. (2017) evaluated the effectiveness of lemongrass essential oil as
an alternative insect repellent against Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which transmit diseases
like dengue fever and Zika virus. The results showed that lemongrass essential oil was
effective in repelling these mosquitoes for up to two hours. Another article by Razdan and
Pettersson (2013) provides a comprehensive review of the effectiveness of lemongrass oil
as an insect repellent, summarizing several studies that demonstrate its safety and
effectiveness against various insect species, including mosquitoes.
According to Amerasinghe (2006), major health gains and important
constraints on development in poor regions can be the results if there are actions to prevent
arthropod borne diseases. The majority of natural repellents produced worldwide are made
by Cymbopogon. There have been numerous tests done on these plants' essential oils and
extracts to see how well they work against various types of arthropods. These insect
repellents help prevent and control the outbursts of insect borne diseases, dengue fever,
stings and bites. Basically, a repellent is any chemical or natural product that causes
insects or other arthropods to avoid or move away from the source of repellent and lemon
grass can be used as a natural insect repellent.
A number of repellent products that contain chemical compounds such as DEET (N,
N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide), which is used as an active chemical component in insect
repellent, are now switching to all natural ingredients as more negative data becomes
available. Lemon grass is on the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) and Generally
Recognized as Safe (GRAS) lists, indicating that it is extremely safe (Gumban, 2019).
Individuals all over the world have come to rely on lemon grass's strong insect repellent
properties and use it as an individual and area spray. Insect repellents have different
properties, but they all serve the same purpose: to keep disease-carrying insects away from
us and our environment.
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Despite the potential benefits of lemongrass and lotion bars, there is a lack of
research on their effectiveness as a mosquito repellent. Therefore, this study aims to
investigate the efficacy of lemongrass lotion bars as an alternative to synthetic mosquito
repellents.
The findings of this study could have significant implications for public health,
particularly in developing countries where mosquito-borne diseases are more prevalent. It
could also promote the use of natural and sustainable alternatives to synthetic mosquito
repellents, reducing the environmental impact of mosquito control measures.
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential of lemongrass as a natural
and eco-friendly alternative ingredient for insect repellent lotion bars. Insect bites can
cause various health problems, and many commercial insect repellent products contain
synthetic chemicals that can be harmful to human health and the environment. As a
result, there is a growing interest in using natural ingredients as alternatives to synthetic
chemicals. Lemongrass is a natural ingredient that has been found to have insect-
repellent properties, but its effectiveness in lotion bars has not been fully explored. This
study aims to fill this research gap by examining the effectiveness of lemongrass-based
insect repellent lotion bars and their potential as a safer and more sustainable solution for
insect bite prevention. The Input Process Output (IPO) model or the conceptual model
used in the study is shown in Figure 1. It exhibits the input or the information needed to
be gathered, the process containing the procedures used in collecting data, and the output
as its results.
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LEMONGRASS (CYMBOPOGON CITRATUS) AS AN ALTERNATIVE FOR
MOSQUITO REPELLENT LOTION BARS
INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT .
Profile of the
respondents.
Name.
Age. Distribution
Gender. of Recommend
Grade, Strand, and questionnaire Lemongrass as an
Section. s Alternative for
Types of skin.
Mosquito Repellent
Conduct an Lotion Bars
Effectiveness of experiment
lemongrass as a
repellent. Statistical
analysis and
Factors to consider interpretation
in using the product
Students.
Figure 1
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
1. What are the demographic profile of the respondents in terms:
a. Name
b. Age
c. Gender
d. Grade Level
e. Type of Skin
2. What are the factors of the Lemongrass (Cymbopogon Citratus) mosquito
repellent lotion bar in terms of:
a. Smell
b. Texture
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c. Effectiveness
d. Application
e. Irritation
3. What are the effectiveness of Lemongrass (Cymbopogon Citratus) as an
alternative for commercial mosquito repellent lotion bars in terms of
repelling mosquitoes and preventing mosquito-borne diseases?
4. What are the suggested measures when it comes to Lemongrass
(Cymbopogon Citratus) mosquito repellent lotion bars?
HYPOTHESIS
Null Hypothesis (Ho): Lemongrass is not an effective ingredient to produce mosquito
repellent lotion bars
Alternative Hypothesis (Ha): Lemongrass is an effective ingredient to produce
mosquito repellent lotion bars
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of Lemongrass (Cymbopogon
Citratus) as an alternative for Mosquito Repellent Lotion Bars. Furthermore, results of this
study are highly significant and beneficial to the following:
FOR THE STUDENTS. This could help students understand the significance of
lemongrass as a main ingredient for making Mosquito Repellent Lotion Bars and
how effective and safe it would be for them to use it.
FOR THE TEACHERS. The results of this study will help them guide their
students to prevent their body from getting mosquito bites, inside or outside the
classroom, which may lead to mosquito-borne diseases.
FOR THE PARENTS OR GUARDIANS. The results in this study may help
them take care of their children’s skin, as well as themselves, against mosquito
bites. This will serve as an eye opener for them to consider using Lemongrass
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(Cymbopogon Citratus) as an alternative for Mosquito Repellent Lotion Bars to
keep their body free from insect bites that cause diseases such as malaria, dengue,
and Lyme.
FOR THE SOCIETY. This could aid in educating the public about the
effectiveness of lemongrass as a mosquito repellent and to raise awareness on how
to prevent mosquito-borne diseases.
FOR THE FUTURE RESEARCHERS. The results and ideas presented in this
study may be used as reference data or basis for conducting further study about the
effectiveness of Lemongrass (Cymbopogon Citratus) as an alternative for Mosquito
Repellent Lotion Bars.
SCOPE AND DELIMITATIONS
The study mainly focused on determining the effectiveness of Lemongrass
(Cymbopogon Citratus) as an alternative for Mosquito Repellent Lotion Bars. Therefore,
the research process mainly revolved on the answers of the respondents through the
conducted survey. Its effectiveness was tested based on mosquito repellent effect, smell,
and duration of protection.
This study was conducted in Lyceum-Northwestern University particularly in the
Senior High School Department. With only 25% of respondents per section and strand,
with 65 respondents from the four strands of grade 12 Senior High School students who
participated in this research study. The number of respondents selected from each Strands
were 45 students in STEM, 9 students in HUMSS, 5 students in ABM, and 6 students in
TVL with a total of 65 respondents. The information needed from the participants were
gathered by distributing printed surveys, which were later collected. This study
completion within three months served as compliance in Research Project and Research
Capstone in the academic school year of 2022-2023.
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DEFINITION OF TERMS
To better understand, operational definitions of technical terms used in this study
are hereby presented:
DENGUE FEVER- a mosquito-borne illness that occurs in tropical and subtropical
areas of the world. Mild dengue fever causes a high fever and flu-like symptoms.
MALARIA- an intermittent and remittent fever caused by a protozoan parasite that
invades the red blood cells. The parasite is transmitted by mosquitoes in many tropical
and subtropical regions.
ZIKA VIRUS- a viral illness that is primarily transmitted through the bite of infected
Aedes mosquitoes. The virus can also be transmitted through sexual contact, blood
transfusion, and from mother to fetus during pregnancy.
MORBIDITY- the presence or incidence of disease, injury, or other health conditions in
a population.
MORTALITY- refers to the number of deaths in a population, or the incidence of death.
PATHOGENIC MICROORGANISMS- Pathogenic microorganisms are
microorganisms that can cause disease in humans or other organisms.
CHIKUNGUNYA- a viral disease that is primarily transmitted to humans by infected
Aedes mosquitoes. The virus can also be transmitted from mother to child during
childbirth and through blood transfusion.
CHOLERA- bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The infection
is typically acquired by consuming food or water contaminated with fecal matter
containing the bacterium.
CYMBOPOGON- also known as lemongrass. An evergreen grass with a richly aromatic
lemon fragrance, it is also used as natural insect repellent.
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CHAPTER 2
METHODOLOGY
RESEARCH DESIGN
The aim of the quantitative research design is to evaluate the efficacy of lemongrass
(Cymbopogon citratus) as an alternative for mosquito repellent lotion bars in terms of its
ability to repel mosquitoes and how long it lasts. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) with
a pretest-posttest design will be conducted to assess the effectiveness of the lotion bars,
with 50 grade 12 STEM students randomly assigned to either the experimental or control
group. Both groups will be tested for mosquito attraction before and after using the
product, and a t-test and ANOVA test will be used to analyze the data collected.
On the other hand, the qualitative research design will employ a phenomenological
approach to gain an in-depth understanding of the experiences and perceptions of users of
lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) mosquito repellent lotion bars. Purposive sampling will
be used to select 50 individuals for participation in semi-structured interviews. The data
collected from the interviews will be analyzed using content analysis to identify recurring
themes and patterns in the participants' responses.
POPULATION AND LOCALE OF THE STUDY
The random sampling technique was utilized in this study where the sample size
is determined by selecting a representative sample of grade 12 senior high school
students in Lyceum-Northwestern University and randomly selecting 25% of the students
in each section to participate in the study. The respondents were composed of 65
respondents from the four strands of grade 12 Senior High School students who
participated in this research study. The number of respondents selected from each strand
where 45 students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), 9
students in HUMSS (Humanities and Social Sciences), 5 students in ABM (Accountancy,
Business, and Management), and 6 students in TVL (Technical-Vocational-Livelihood)
that are studying at Lyceum-Northwestern University s.y 2022-2023.
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This study was conducted at Lyceum-Northwestern University Basic Education
Department. Lyceum-Northwestern University is a medical college in Tapuac District,
Dagupan City, Pangasinan, Philippines, founded by Dr. Francisco Quimson Duque and
Mrs. Florencia Tiongson Duque in 1969. The researchers chose this place as the study's
locale to gain insight into the students' experiences and perspectives in using Lemongrass
(Cymbopogon citratus) as an alternative for mosquito repellent lotion bars.
Strand Section Total number of Students Respondents
STEM 1 41 11
STEM 2 41 11
STEM 3 53 14
STEM
STEM 4 34 9
Total 169 45
HUMSS 35 9
ABM 20 5
TVL 23 6
TOTAL 249 65
DATA GATHERING INSTRUMENT
The research instrument used in this research is a survey questionnaire in the form
of a paper-based survey. This will comprise structured questions with predefined
response options, such as multiple-choice, Likert scales, or semantic differential scales,
to systematically and efficiently gather standardized data from a sample of participants.
The survey questionnaire is a quantitative and qualitative research method, which uses a
predefined set of questions to obtain statistical data about the population's beliefs,
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characteristics, or behaviors. The questions in this survey will be of the guided response
or recall-type, prompting participants to recall a set of categories, with multiple-choice or
multiple-response options determined by the researchers.
DATA GATHERING PROCEDURE
The information utilized for this study was gathered through printed questionnaires.
The questionnaires will be distributed and administered to the respondents. The
questionnaire made by the researchers were analyzed and checked by the research adviser
to ensure the validity of responses it would elicit. Permission was sought from the principal
and respondents’ adviser to distribute the printed questionnaires to the selected
respondents. They were informed about the objective of the study and information
gathering process. They were given assurance regarding the confidentialities of the data.
The researchers clarified any doubts or queries related to the study.
Researchers thoroughly checked the filled-in questionnaires to reduce the
probability of any missing information. Data gathered from answered questionnaires were
examined, tabulated, and analyzed according to the research design.
STATISTICAL TREATMENT OF DATA
The researchers compiled, sorted, organized, and tabulated the responses as soon
as they were collected with appropriate statistical tools.
1. Frequency and Percentage
The percentage and frequency distribution are used to categorize respondents
based on personal background variables such as age and gender.
P = ƒ x 100
N
Wherein:
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P= percentage
f= frequency
n= total number of respondents
2. Mean Score
The Mean is defined as “the sum of all numbers divided by the number of values
in the list...” The values that contribute to the total number of choices in this study would
be helped contribute by using the corresponding values of the scale No Effect (1),
Slightly Effective (2), Effective (3), and Extremely Effective (4). The Mean employs the
following formula.
X= ∑x
n
Wherein:
X is the mean of the group
Σ is "the sum of
x is the value of the scale
n is the number of samples
Scale Statistical Range Descriptive Equivalent
( D. E)
4 3.21 - 4.00 Extremely Effective
3 2.41 - 3.20 Effective
2 1.61 - 2.40 Slightly Effective
1 1.00 - 1.60 No Effect
3. Weighted Mean
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The researcher used weighted mean to determine the results of the experiment.
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon Citratus) as an Alternative for Mosquito Repellent Lotion
Bars. The data were computed by the use of this formula:
WM=∑WX
N
Wherein:
The feasibility of Lemongrass 9 Cymbopogon Citratus) as an Alternative For Mosquito
Repellent Lotion Bars.
W= weighted value of responses.
X= frequency of responses.
N= number of responses.
4. t- Test
The t-Test is used to estimate the two differences between two group means using
the ratio of the difference in group means over the pooled standard error of both groups.
t=¯x- μ
σ
√n
Wherein:
‘x’ bar is the mean of the sample,
μ is the assumed mean,
σ is the standard deviation, and
n is the number of observations.
5. ANOVA (Analysis of Variance)
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ANOVA helps determine the significance or randomness of the results of an
experiment.
F= MSE
MST
Where:
F=ANOVA coefficient
MST=Mean sum of squares due to treatment
MSE=Mean sum of squares due to error.
