Understanding Traditional Medicine Practitioner`s Perspectives in Promoting Health in Communities
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19238419Keywords:
Traditional medicine, Community perspective, Cultural continuity, Herbal remedies, Descriptive research, Thematic analysis, Malita Davao OccidentalAbstract
The main goal of the study was to explore community perspectives on the practice and value of traditional medicine in the Municipality of Malita, Davao Occidental, using a descriptive phenomenology research design. Five (5) participants, including traditional practitioners and employed and unemployed community members, were selected through purposive sampling. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews using a semi-structured interview guide questionnaire and were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) thematic analysis. The results revealed two major areas: community views on the role of traditional medicine in promoting health and community perceptions of its value. Under community views, three major themes emerged: accessibility and necessity of traditional medicine, healing effectiveness of traditional remedies, and proper and natural use of traditional medicine. Core ideas included its importance in areas without access to doctors, effectiveness of herbal remedies, provision of relief, proper adherence to treatment, and the belief that traditional medicines are natural. Under community perceptions of value, two major themes were identified: cultural knowledge and continuity, and knowledge transmission and shared experience. Core ideas included traditional medicine as culture and heritage, cultural continuity, traditional healers’ knowledge and competence, imparting of wisdom from elders, and sharing of experiences.
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