Managing respiratory infections among children: the Hanunuo Mangyan way

• Main Author: Manlagnit, Alicia Borja
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 1999
• Subjects: Respiratory infections in children; Mangyan (Philippine people); Children > Health and hygiene; Pediatrics; Pulmonology; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Rural Sociology; Virus Diseases
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/1990
• Institution: De La Salle University

This study describes and analyzes the Hanunuo Mangyan's health care system with a particular focus on the mother's perceptions about the nature, etiology, degree of severity and management of respiratory infections among their under-five children. Data were gathered through Rapid Assessment Procedures (RAP) particularly through in-depth interviews of Mangyan mothers from Sitio Bailan in Binli, Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro. Data from in-depth interviews were supplemented with and validated through informal interviews and conversations and limited participant observations. Data were consolidated, and content analyzed through the process of coding, categorizing and coming up with relevant patterns and themes. Findings reveal different perceptions of Mangyan mothers about the nature, etiology, degree of severity and management of respiratory infections among their under-five children. Mangyan children experience different kinds of respiratory infections, colds, fever and cough being the most common. Infections are categorized according to their nature. This is known through the signs and symptoms manifested by a sick child. Infections are also categorized according to the degree of severity. These are considered as either urgent/serious or less urgent/serious. The management of these infections depends on mothers' perceptions about the nature, etiology and degree of severity. Management is also influenced by other important factors such as access to source of treatment and service provider, access to resources and experience of illness in the past. The mother is the main decision maker as regards the choice of the management strategy to use. However, 'significant others' are consulted. These significant others include relatives, friends, neighbors and other people in the community. Advice and suggestions are sought and considered, but final decision comes from the mother. Management of respiratory infections among Mangyan children involves the three major sectors of their health system's inner structure. They always start the treatment process home medications and the other two sectors follow. Mothers however, prefer the professional sector in managing their children's respiratory infections, especially when such infection is severe requiring urgent or immediate treatment. Findings generally imply that since mothers are the caretakers of their children, they are also the ones in-charge with illness management. There is a need to provide them with appropriate education and correct information on the assessment of the symptoms and the determination of the nature and severity of respiratory infections so that management becomes appropriate and timely.