Perspective of bughat in a farming community in Negros Occidental

Date of Publication

2001

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Health Social Science

Subject Categories

Medical Sciences

College

College of Liberal Arts

Department/Unit

Behavioral Sciences

Thesis Adviser

Robert Anthony C. Salazar

Defense Panel Chair

Ma. Elena Chiong Javier

Defense Panel Member

Romeo Lee
Pilar Ramos Jimenez

Abstract/Summary

This study explores and describes the mothers, husbands, traditional caregivers (TCGs), and practitioners of western medicine's (PWM) various experiences and perceptions of bughat. These experiences and perceptions comprised the causes, symptoms, treatments, complications, prevention methods, their health seeking behavior and the effects of bughat on the husbands. The chain referral system or snowball technique was employed in determining the respondents of the study. Data were gathered using focus group discussion (FGD) for the mothers and husbands with 9 members each, and key informant (KI) interviews for the caregivers with 3 respondents each among the paltira, manogbulong, and practitioners of western medicine. The findings showed the various experiences and perceptions of mothers, husbands, TCGs and PWM that greatly influenced their definition of bughat. The mothers, husbands, and TCGs believed that bughat is caused by physical and emotional stress, the entry of hangin into the body and non-observance of food taboos. Not following certain rituals like padungan and the bathing abstinence were also believed to cause bughat. Aside from those commonly mentioned by the mothers and husbands, the traditional caregivers believed supernatural entities and sorcery also caused bughat. The management of bughat reflects its causes but would depend on the caregivers aiding the mothers. The use of herbs was often employed, but mystical methods such as pulong and orasyon were also invoked especially among the manogbulong.

More importantly, the power relationship between spouses and marginalization of women in rural areas had an important bearing on the cause and management of bughat. Women in a predominantly farming area still have no control over their lives and are left with few choices regarding health care. Furthermore, nothing is being done to remedy the phenomenon of bughat and this neglect further reinforces the belief in the illness.

Abstract Format

html

Format

Print

Accession Number

TG03108

Shelf Location

Archives, The Learning Commons, 12F Henry Sy Sr. Hall

Physical Description

118 leaves 28 cm.

Keywords

Medical care; Women--Diseases; Women--Health and hygiene

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