Convergence/divergence between traditional and professional health system: Case of B'laan communities in Davao del Sur

• Main Author: Villa, Anderson Valmoria
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2007
• Subjects: Medical personnel > Davao del Sur (Philippines); Medical personnel > Sarangani (Philippines); Medical care > Davao del Sur (Philippines); Medical care > Sarangani (Philippines); Medical care > Standard; Medical policy; Convergence (Biology); Divergence (Biology); Public health; Public Health
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/3492; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/context/etd_masteral/article/10330/viewcontent/CDTG004225_P.pdf
• Institution: De La Salle University

This study aims to examine the convergence and divergence of traditional and professional health system among the Blaan communities in the municipality of Sarangani. Four aspects were being looked into, namely: (1) Blaan's child health care system, (2) mothers concept of health and illness, (3) mothers child health care practices, and (4) their management of child's illnesses. In-depth interviews were conducted with 15 mothers as respondents. Data gathered were organized, classified and content analyzed by coming up with similar subject matter and patterns. Findings indicate that the convergence can be seen in the presence of health providers from both systems, while divergence is found in the service provision and the nature of service. A convergence existed too in the respondents concept of health such that Blaan's generally perceive health with being active, energetic, and free from all forms of sickness. A divergence however existed when it comes to their concept of ill-health. Sudden changes in the climate or an abrupt shift from hot to cold temperature are perceived to cause certain illnesses. Unclean environment, physical exhaustion, and evil spirits were also supposed by the mothers to cause illnesses. Moreover, according to the respondents, diseases that are considered natural or common are to be brought directly to the health center for medication while illnesses perceived as mystical, spiritually-caused or beyond the boundaries of the modern medicine, falls under the realm of traditional health care system. Evidently, the mother-respondents management of their child's illnesses, as well as their child health care practices, is in this context diverged. Data also reveal that mother-respondents perceived traditional medicine in the context of the provision of herbal medicines and other special amulets while modern medicine is seen in the distribution of free vaccines and other immunization services. Thus, it is also in this context that both traditional and professional health system diverges. Social and cultural factors also influence their level of utilization of child health care services from either of the traditional or the professional health care services. Findings disclose that the cost of child health services influence access. Attitudes of the health providers and geographical location also influence the utilization of services from either of these systems.