Indigenous Healing Practices of Petican,Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet Residents

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the existing indigenous healing practice among residents of Petican, Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet. It assessed their level of knowledge and practice on traditional and modern medicine. It also identified the significant differences when grouped according to age, gender, ethnicity, educational attainment among residents of Petican, Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet. This study was conducted at Petican, Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet with the total 7 of respondents for the phase 1 and 80 respondents for phase 2 from December to March 2018. Qualitative phenomenology was used to identify the existing healing practices of Petican, Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet for the key informants who elders in the community. Quantitative uses descriptive cross sectional method plus causal comparative method to describe the specific variables and presenting the connection between them. The questionnaires were administered personally by researchers. The main instruments used for data gathering were recorder and camera for phase 1 and survey questionnaire for the phase 2. The statistical treatment of data consisted of frequency, percentage, weighted mean, t-test and f-test. The data was then tallied, tabulated and interpreted. It was revealed that the residents of Petican, Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet practiced the use of combined traditional healing practices and modern medicine to promote health and well-being of the residents. Herbs, manipulative therapies, ceremonies or rituals, and prayers were used in various combinations to prevent and treat illness. They also consulted the “mambunong” about their illness.

Results also revealed that residents in Petican, Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet were highly knowledgeable on Indigenous medicine and Modern medicine. However they were least knowledgeable on modern medicine specifically on advance in vaccines for hypertension, diabetes, cancers and other illness. Ilocano respondents were highly knowledgeable in traditional healing compared to other ethnic affiliation because they have many beliefs. Findings showed that residents of Petican, Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet sometimes practiced traditional medicine and always practice alternative medicine. In addition the study showed that traditional and alternative medicine plays a big role in treating minor illness such cough, fever, sprain, colds, thus these practice as immediate remedies to cure illness. However, for major illnesses like kidney failure, and stroke it was recommended that government agencies or Health care organizations like DOH should strengthen their programs on educational campaign about importance of vaccines, immunization to prevent illness, surgery and operational procedure to emergency cases. It should be conducted to the places that have low accessibility of health. Although, there is nothing wrong into using indigenous healing practices only. It is still better to use both indigenous and modern medicine to ensure health and well-being of the residents.