Belief Persistence and Reliance on Traditional Healing of Students at Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (Kebergantungan dan Ketekalan dalam Kepercayaan kepada Rawatan Tradisional dalam Kalangan Pelajar di Universiti Pertanian Negeri Bicol Tengah)
http://dx.doi.org/10.17576/JSKM-2021-1901-05
- Author:
DARIEL A. PALMIANO
1
;
YVETTE JONATHAN D. MOLINA
1
Author Information
1. College of Arts and Sciences, Central Bicol State University of Agriculture, Calabanga Campus
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Belief in traditional healing;
reliance on traditional healing
- From:Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences
2021;19(No.1):39-48
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Limited scientific evidence about the safety and efficacy of traditional healing make it essential for policymakers to
develop policies, regulations, and strategies to mitigate issues related to this practice. Such issues include hit-and-miss
operation, incorrect diagnosis, improper dosage, low hygiene standards, and the dominant lack of statutory regulation
for traditional healing practitioners and practices owing to the secrecy of some healing methods. On the other hand, the
high cost of drugs and other critical considerations strengthen the belief persistence and reliance of people on traditional
healing over modern medical treatments, a situation that makes it challenging for the government to define the
policymaking parameters in this area. The focus of this descriptive-comparative study was to determine how persistent
are the beliefs and reliance on traditional healing of students by obtaining quantitative results from a survey. A total of
277 students were surveyed using stratified proportionate random sampling. Data were gathered through a questionnaire
and unstructured interviews. Descriptive statistics, dependent t-test, and one-way analysis of variance were the statistical
tools used. Results showed that almost all respondents still manifest very strong belief persistence in faith healers
(arbolaryo) and bone setters (hilot) and a great majority in those who cure illness caused by spirits (surhano/
parasantigwar). The illnesses they usually consult with traditional healers were vomiting, sprain, and stomachache.
Male respondents have stronger belief persistence than do their female counterparts. The belief persistence and reliance
of students on traditional healing, even with the recent advances in science, technology, and innovation, as well as the
upsurge of new interventions for diagnosis, prevention, and treatments, indicate that the popularity of traditional healing
is not declining. These findings are particularly evident in some prevailing traditional healing practices.
- Full text:14.2021my0370.pdf
