Title: AN IN-DEPTH VIEW OF THE PATRONAGE OF FOLK HEALERS AMONG URBAN RESIDENTS OF BARANGAY 11, LUCENA CITY Researchers:

Angelo M. Cabaluna Diane D. Sosa Lisette T. Mandrique Lou Bianca M. Rocabo Ma. Christina M. Mayuga Adviser: Shirley May B. De Gracia, RN, MSN School Year: 2010-2011

ABSTRACT

Folk practices have contributed for many peoples sense of health and well-being over the century and still does in many countries, especially Philippines. Long before the orthodox medicine took center stage in the health care practices around the world, people who were sick used to visit different kind of doctors. These doctors were not the medical geniuses of today. Mostly, they were the simple people who exercise the art of traditional practices, herbal remedies and even the power of suggestion. They were revered, loved and even feared because of one particular skill they possess the healing touch. Traditionally, prior to the popularity of modern medical doctors, the manghihilot was the health care giver of the community. Philippines is one country full of beliefs, cultural practices, and traditions. Part of this belief is the patronage to folk healers. The philippines comprise of different communities which have patronage variety of traditional practices. Folk practices have been a part of Filipinos way of life. The study aimed to identify the factors influencing folk healing practices and the common ailments and treatments offered by folk healers in selected barangay. The results
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would therefore provide insightful ideas,facts and causes that implies why people prefer to patronize folk healers practices to meet their health care needs This study used the descriptive approach. Which utilized observations wherein the researchers gathered information about the present existing condition of folk healing practices. The purpose of employing this method is to describe the nature of a situation, as it exists at the time of the study and to explore the causes which lead them to avail those practices. The respondents are primarily composed of female residents, majority of which were married belonging to the age bracket of 40 to 65 years old. Most of the respondents belong to a large family consisting of 5 to 6 members. A great number of them are high school undergraduates without any occupation and having a family income of P5,000 and below per month. Based on the results gathered the common ailments believed and being treated by the folk healers were balis or usog, galaw, sapi and bali. The most common reason which led them to avail folk healing practices includes affordability of seeking medical help on folk healers, insufficiency on financial expenses to pay for professional health care givers such as doctors and inadequacy to purchase the medicines and other treatments that the physician prescribed due to economic constraint. Pagsusuob, paghihilot and pagtatawas were the common treatment being offered and practiced by folk healers. Based on the findings and conclusion of the study, the researcher suggested that health care professionals be able to identify and work with diverse cultural differences to bridge the gaps between healthcare and community. The field of nursing should meet and understand cultural needs to develop strategies in providing nursing care and community
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health care givers such as public health nurse, midwives and barangay health workers. They should take into consideration the planning and implementation of interventions adopted as much as possible to the clients cultural background. Future researchers should further study the role of culture between residents profile, common ailment and treatment to provide additional comprehensive study about the reasons behind the patronage on folk healing practices. Most of the local government units must provide a training program to the folk healers to incorporate in their practice the proper procedures and appropriate herbal medications, approved by the Department of Health (DOH). Allowing nursing students to have their clinical affiliation in this kind of urban barangay would increase manpower in organizing different programs and activities and will help students enhance their skills in community health nursing, instilling activities and programs for the residents which will improve the socio-economic status of the community.