HOME REMEDIES FOR COMMON CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES IN BENGUET

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A Thesis Proposal

Presented to

The Faculty of the College of Nursing

University of Northern Philippines

Tamag, Vigan City

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In Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Degree

Master of Arts in Nursing

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by

SHERWIN N. CABANES

2014
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

CHAPTER

I. THE PROBLEM

Introduction …………………………………………….. 1

Statement of the Problem .……………………………….. 4

Scope and Delimitation of the Study ……………………. 5

Theoretical Framework ………………………………….. 6

Conceptual Framework ………………………………….. 25

Operational Definition of Terms ………………………… 25

Assumptions …….………………………………………. 27

Hypothesis ………………………………………………. 27

Methodology …………………………………………….. 27

Research Design ……………………………………… 28

Population …………………………………………….. 28

Data Gathering Instrument ……………………………. 28

Data Gathering Procedure …………………………….. 29

Statistical Treatment of Data …………………………. 29

Questionnaire ……………………………………………………. 30
 Chapter I

THE PROBLEM

Introduction

Home remedies have been the source of health promotion, maintenance and cure

in the different parts of the world. With every turn of the century, people of all cultures

managed to perform and to pass on to younger generation the culture and traditions

regarding health care.

Home remedies are natural cures or medicines made at home from natural

ingredients such as fruits, vegetables, and herbs and these are catching a lot of attention

due to their very nature of cure: simple, no side effects, no chemicals and inexpensive.

Using them gives pleasures of being able to cure oneself (Acharya and Schrivasta, 2008).

According to the American Heritage Dictionary (2002), home remedies include

the use of herbal medicinal plants and traditional medicines or folk medicines. Home is a

place where someone lives. It is the dwelling place together with the family or social unit

that occupies it. Remedy on the other hand is something, such as medicine or therapy,

which relieves pain, cures diseases, or corrects a disorder.

Folk medicine refers to the healing practices and ideas of body physiology and

health preservation known to a limited segment of the population in a culture, transmitted

informally as general knowledge and practices or applied by anyone in the culture having

prior experience (Acharya and Shrivastava, 2008).

Folk medicine has its roots of healing and persisted from the beginning of culture

and flourished long before the development of systematic or scientific medicine that most

of the world relies on today. It dates back from 1200 BC in India, 1880 BC in Egypt, and
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6th century AD in Persia. Folk healers are found in all culture. They are commonly

referred to as curanderos, brauchers, comadronas, “hilots”, and granny women. Most of

the healers used a combination of prayers, charms, laying of hands, rubbing or massage,

rituals, leaves, stones or gems, and herbs. The use of herbs or medicinal plants in curing

diseases started during the ancient Egypt and Biblical times. The herbs were studied for

their benefits in alternative medicine and cooking. By the 19th century many home

remedies containing herbs were patented and sold. Modern drugs have replaced herbal

medicines but some ingredients of modern drugs are still derived from it. Some of the

most famous and commonly used herbs overseas are basil, peppermint, oregano, parsley,

sage, chamomile, thyme, aloe, garlic, and lemon (Compton’s Encyclopedia, 2005).

Home remedies are also known as botanical medicines. These are plant seeds,

berries, roots, leaves, bark, or flowers for medicinal purposes. While the scientific study

and medicinal use of herbs began in the eighteenth century, documentation of the early

practices of the people of Egypt, Greece, India, and Asia demonstrates a sophisticated

understanding of herbs and their uses from well over a thousand years ago. Centuries

later, settles in North America gleaned much of their herbal lore from the Native

Americans (Frederick, 2006).

Home remedies are things or acts utilizing herbal medicines and traditional

medicines that are given of done at home to promote wellness. A home remedy is a very

powerful practice of people who defended their health, as well as those of their family

and community against any kind of diseases.

Medicinal plans are used to make herbal medicines and are generally defined as

natural plants used to present disease and treat illness and disorder. These are used to
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promote excellent health. In the Philippines, medical herbs used in home remedies have

been used for thousands of years. It is a tradition that has been passed down through the

generation with little modifications. There has been a renewed interest in herbs in all

cultures. There are ten medicinal plants recognized to have significant benefits to its

users. As science verifies and validates the efficacy of these plants, their popularity will

only rise as a good alternative medicine (Miller, 2006).

Common childhood disease occur universally, making them a concern of parents

all over the world. Home remedies for such disease vary greatly. In early times, mothers

were entrusted with all but serious remedies. Historic cookbooks are frequently full of

remedies for dyspepsia, fevers, and female complaints (Kay, 1996).

In rural areas, mothers are known to bring their ill child/children to “albularyos”

and “hilots” for treatment rather than bring them to clinics or hospitals. Nowadays, even

in the urban areas, mothers prefer to call or invite the “albolaryos” and “hilots” to their

homes to treat their ill children.

Today’s generation, amidst modern technology in the health care delivery system

and the continuous increasing prices of basic commodities including commercial drugs,

many are encouraged to use herbal medicines while other would rather rely on traditional

medicines. Women doctors reveal over two thousand self-health tips on the health

problems (Faelten, 1997).

The researcher chose for her study the following common childhood diseases

based on the record of the Municipal Health Services Office (MHSO) of Baguio City

year 2014. The following are the most common diseases prevalent in Barangay

Nangalisan, Baguio city: Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (URTI) which was the most
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prevalent disease; followed by chicken pox (Varicella); then asthma, dental caries,

influenza, skin disease, and pneumonia.

The findings of the study is hoped to enhance the knowledge and practices of the

mother-respondents on how to manage common childhood disease utilizing home

remedies, and also identifying the predisposing factors of the diseases. The community in

general will also benefit from this study particularly in the promotion of scientific

remedies in dealing with common childhood diseases and heighten consciousness on the

use of herbal medicinal plants and traditional medicine available in the community itself.

It will also help in the preservation of cultural beliefs and practices which are

scientifically proven.

Finally, the findings on this study will serve as baseline for other health care

providers to encourage people to use home remedies for treating simple illnesses. As

health caregiver, he/she will help in the promotion and dissemination of the advantages of

scientific (proven effective) home remedies, thus reducing the cases of childhood

diseases complications.

Statement of the Problem

The study will focus on the extent of home remedy practices of common

childhood diseases among mother in Barangay Nangalisan, Tuba, Benguet.

Specifically, it seeks to answer the following questions:

1. What is the socio-demographic profile of the respondents in terms of the

following:

A. Mother

a. Age;
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b. Civil Status;

c. Highest educational attainment;

d. Occupation;

e. Monthly family income

B. Child

a. Age;

b. Sex;

c. Ordinal position

2. What is the extent of practices on home remedies for common childhood illnesses

among the respondents for the past six months?

3. Is there a significant difference in the health practices for common childhood

illnesses between and among the ethnic groups?

4. Is there a significant relationship between the extent of practices on the home

remedies of common childhood diseases and the following:

a. Age;

b. Civil Status;

c. Educational attainment;

d. Occupation ;

e. Monthly family income

Scope and Delimitation

The study aims to determine the home remedy practices for common childhood

diseases among mothers in Nangalisan, Tuba, Benguet. It will also ascertain the extent of

home remedy practices as influenced by the socio-demographic factors of mothers.

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The independent variable of the study includes the socio-demographic profile of

the mothers while the dependent variable is the extent of practice on the home remedies

for the common childhood diseases.

The respondents of the study will include 152 mothers with child/children ages

five years old and below who suffered from any of the childhood diseases. The mothers

will be from the five sitios of Barangay Nangalisan, Tuba, Benguet. The researcher chose

the mothers because they are the primary caregiver to their children, and to the other

family members as well.

A questionnaire checklist formulated by the researcher with the contents to be

validated by pool of experts will be used to gather data. The data gathered will be treated

and analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean and bivariate correlation analysis.

Theoretical Framework

The PHC characterized by partnership and empowerment of the people shall

permeate as the core strategy in the effective provision of essential health services that

are community based, accessible, acceptable, and sustainable, at a cost, which the

community and the government can afford. It is a strategy which focuses responsibility

for health on the individual, his family and community. It includes the full participation

and active involvement of the community towards the development of self-reliant people

capable of achieving an acceptable level of health and well-being. It also recognizes the

interrelationship between health and the overall political, social-cultural and economic

development of society. As part of primary health care and because of the increasing cost

of drugs, the use of locally available medicinal plants has been advocated by the

Department of Health. Many local plants and herbs in the Philippine backyard and field
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have been found to be effective in the treatment of common ailments as attested by the

National Science Development Board (Reyala et al., 2000).

In addition, Madeleine Leininger’s s Transcultural Nursing Theory focuses on the

comparative study and analysis of cultures with respect to nursing and health-

illness caring practices, beliefs, and values with the goal to provide meaningful and

efficacious nursing care services to people according to their cultural values and health-

illness concept (Balita, 2005).

Leininger developed her theory of Transcultural Nursing on the fact that people to

each culture can not only know and define the ways in which they see their nursing care

world, but also can compare these to general health beliefs and practices. Her beliefs that

different cultures have both health practices that are specific to one culture led to the

addition of terms “diversity” and “universality”. She went through what she relates to as

a culture shock while she’s working as a clinical nurse specialist in the Midwestern

United States with disturbed children and their parents, she observed recurrent behavioral

differences among the children and concluded that these differences had a culture as the

missing chain in nursing to understand the variations in care of clients. Leininger defined

person as a human being who can endure within culture and through place and time

because they have been able to care for infants, children, and the elderly in a variety of

ways and in many different environments. Thus, humans are universally caring being

who survive in a diversity of culture through their ability to provide universality of care

in a variety of ways according to differing cultures, needs, and settings. In terms of

environment, Leininger speaks about worldwide, social structure, and environmental

context. She described environment as the totality of an events, situation, or experience

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and viewed as being signified in culture, is a major principle of her theory (Octaviano and

Balita, 2008).

Human throughout history have relied on natural remedies before the invention or

modern medicine and synthetic drugs. It is linked with better quality improvements of

human life of the optimum level of individuals, families and communities. The study will

present the common childhood diseases and their home remedies with ingredients found

almost in the kitchen, especially in the rural areas. People turn to natural remedies, also

known as home remedies or natural cures for their ailments because these treatments are

made with natural ingredients like herbs, fruits and vegetables. These ingredients are

readily found in any home. Home remedies do not use chemicals, are inexpensive, and

usually do not produce any side effects. People also enjoy making something useful

instead of paying for expensive over-the-counter drugs that can have dangerous side

effect.

Knowledge of Common Childhood Diseases

According to the study of Waish and Edwards (2006) on the management of

childhood diseases by parents, diseases continue to be the major cause of childhood

morbidity and mortality. Primary caregiver or mother’s ability to detect the disease in

children early and institute effective home remedies is critical to disease outcome. They

found out that mothers’ practices towards common childhood diseases are heavily

influenced by their knowledge.

Moreover, Juma (2007), in her study regarding knowledge, attitudes and practices

of mothers on symptoms and sign of Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses

(IMCI) strategy conducted at Buguruni, noted that most mothers (89.2%) found no factor
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preventing them from seeking care, 98.2% to 99.4% of mothers took their children to

health facilities once sick or developed any symptom of severe childhood disease. She

claimed that enough knowledge could eventually lead to the improvement of health

practices in the management of childhood illnesses. She added that public health

education is vital in signs and symptoms recognition. Further, attitude and practices were

appropriate and directed towards management of childhood illnesses as addressed by the

IMCI strategy. She concluded that the implementation of IMCI programs in governments

health facilities will improve knowledge health seeking for childhood diseases.

Roles of parents in the treatment of the disease in their children could better be

determined from their perception of the disease and understanding of its management.

Health seeking behavior had been shown in the past to be influence by several factors

such as: accessibility and availability of drug; availability of personnel; cost of treatment

including drugs; perception of seriousness of the disease; knowledge of its cause and

ability to diagnose and treat (Pediatr, 2008).

Knowledge is the information, skills, and expertise acquired by a person through

various life experiences or through formal education. Knowledge on common childhood

diseases is the awareness of the whole diseases itself.

Knowledge is the enemy of disease. That is a powerful metaphor. Applying what

is already known will have a bigger impact of health and disease than any drug or

technology likely to be introduced in the next decade. But if disease is to be defeated, in

addition to the undeniable need to new knowledge, existing knowledge must be applied

in ways that will improve health care, especially in underprivileged populations. There
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are huge gaps in knowledge application, and a link is needed between knowledge and

effective decision-making and health-policy development.

Common Childhood Diseases

Upper Respiratory Infection

Upper Respiratory infections are conditions that affects the respiratory system.

The primary functions of respiratory system are to provide oxygen for metabolism. The

secondary functions are facilitating sense of smell, produces speech, maintains acid-base

balance, maintains body water levels, and maintain heat balance. The upper respiratory

tract is composed of nose, sinuses, pharynx, larynx and epiglottis (Silvestri, 2008).

Dr. Carole Heilman said that a cold is a collection of symptoms caused by any of

the 200 or more different viruses. To cure a cold, you’d have to find a remedy that is able

to kill anyone of the 200 different viruses that maybe causing your particular cold. It’s a

real pain in the neck to find a substance that not only universally destroys viruses that

don’t behave in the same way but also doesn’t cause side effects (Faelten, 1997).

The DOH-CAR Local Health Support Division chief Dr. Amelita Pangilinan,

advised the public to bring sweaters or jackets to protect themselves from the cold

weather, as we are now experiencing drastic drop in temperatures, especially during the

afternoon and evening. Basically the public should protect themselves from the cold

weather, especially the sensitive ones and those with asthma. She added that the public

also should boost their immune system by drinking lots of water, eating nutritious foods,

having a balance diet and doing exercise. She reported that cases of influenza-like-

illnesses (ILI) which usually manifests cold, cough, and fever, and is associated with the

cold weather and the drastic changes in temperature are increasing. Based on DOH-CAR
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surveillance, from January up to November 10, 2012– 8,797 cases recorded during the

same period last year. The City of Baguio recorded the most number of ILI cases with

2,898, followed by Ifugao with 2, 587 cases and Benguet with 1,085. Apayao recorded

the least number of cases with 177, while Abra, Kalinga, and Mountain Province

recorded 1,012,516 and 445 cases respectively (Dar, 2012).

Meanwhile, PAGASA Baguio Weather Observer Efren Dalipog, disclosed that

the coldest temperature in Baguio that day stands at 15 degrees Celsius and he also

affirmed that the temperature will be getting colder as the year ends and may even go as

low as 10 degrees Celsius in the future. This is alarming and the cases of cold weather

illnesses such as upper respiratory infections, flu, and pneumonia might increase (Dar,

2012).

Asthma

Asthma is the common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized

by variable and recurring symptoms. Reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm.

In susceptible individual, this inflammation causes recurrent episode of wheezing,

breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing, particularly at night or in the early

morning. Asthma also causes an associated bronchospasm and increase in the existing

bronchial hypersenstitiveness of variety of stimuli (Chapleau et al., 2009).

Asthma causes attacks of wheezing and shortness of breath. It can be serious or

even fatal. If the having attacks come more easily that in the past, or if it seems more

severe than usual or if it wakes a person up at night more than twice a week, it means that

the condition is no longer under control (Faelten, 1997).

According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2010), 12% of Philippine

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population about 90 million have asthma and it is one of the leading causes of deaths in

the Philippines and worldwide. Asthma is a disease that cannot be cured in the traditional

senses but it can be effectively controlled. The treatment of asthma depends on its nature.

Some babies only have asthma attacks when they get cold or other upper respiratory tract

infection and other have problems when they come into contact with an allergen, such as

cat fur which can trigger an attack.

Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis is a term commonly used to refer to infection and inflammation of the

palatine tonsil. “Adenitis” refers to infection and inflammation of the adenoid tonsils.

Palatine tonsils are located on both sides of the pharynx; the adenoids are in the

nasopharynx. Infection of the palatine tonsils presents with all the symptoms of severe

pharyngitis. Children drool because their throat is too soar for them to swallow saliva.

They may describe swallowing as painful, it feels as if they are swallowing bits of metals

or glass. In addition, they usually have a high fever and lethargic. Tonsillar tissue appears

bright red and amy be so enlarged the two areas of the palatine tonsillar tissue meet in the

midline (Pilliterri, 2007).

In tonsillitis, the tonsils are infected with bacteria or a virus, causing inflammation

and a sore throat. Tonsillitis is common in children because their tonsils are exposed to

many infections for the first time. The tonsils become smaller with age and tonsillitis

occurs less frequently in adults. Symptoms tend to become milder as a child grows older

and have usually disappeared completely by the time adolescence is reached (Briffa,

2005).
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Dental Carries

Dental carries is known as tooth decay or a cavity, an infection, usually bacterial

in origin that causes demineralization of the hard tissues (enamel, dentin and cementum)

and destruction of the organic matter of the tooth, usually by production of acid by

hydrolysis of the food debris accumulated on the tooth surface. If left untreated, the

disease can lead to pain, tooth loss and infection. Today, carries remain one of the most

common disease throughout the world. Cariology is the study of dental carries. Dental

health organization advocate preventive and prophylactic measures, such as regular oral

hygiene and dietary modifications, to avoid dental caries (Medical Plus Encyclopedia,

2008).

The oral health status of Filipino children is alarming. The 2006 National Oral

Health Curvey (NOHS) investigated the oral health status of Philippine public elementary

school students. It revealed that 97.1% of six year-old children suffer from tooth decay or

four out of every five children of this subgroup are suffering from dental caries. In

addition, 78.4% of twelve-year-old children suffer from dental carries (DOH-NOHS,

2010).

In general, tooth decay and gum disease do not directly cause disability or death.

However, these conditions can weaken bodily defenses and serve as portals of entry to

other more serious and potentially dangerous systemic disease and infections. Serious

conditions include arthritis, heart disease, endocarditis, gatro-intestinal diseases, and

ocular-skin-renal diseases. Aside from physical deformity, these two oral diseases may

also cause disturbance of speech significant enough to affect work performance,

nutrition, social interactions, income, and self-esteem. In the Philippines, toothache is a

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common ailment among school children, and in the primary cause of absenteeism from

school. Indeed, dental and oral diseases create a silent epidemic, placing a heavy burden

on Filipino school children (Calonge, 2011).

Home Remedies

Home remedies have been utilized since ancient times for the purpose of treating

of diseases and promoting health and wellness of individuals, families, and communities.

Petterson’s (2005) study was about home remedies used in Mongolia. She looked

at the interaction of health and the environment. She focused on anything from land or

livestock to people. Mongolia is land-locked desert thus, the researcher found out that

home remedies tend to be based on milk and meat.

According to the news of Villafuerte (2010), nature had been providing men with

thousands of herbal plants with health benefits and medicinal properties. One of such

herbal plants is the garlic widely used around the world for its pungent flavor as a

seasoning or condiment. In Ancient times, soldiers relied on garlic to give them added

strength in battle and was used as an antiseptic to prevent gangrene during World War I

and World War II. Garlic is probably is probably one of the most powerful antiseptic

known to man. All kinds of worms are destroyed by garlic. Modern science has

confirmed that garlic is a powerful natural antibiotic. She says that the good news, too, is

that our body does not appear to build up resistance to the garlic so its positive benefits

can continue overtime.

According to Bardot (2012), well-known home remedies for immune system

strengthener is garlic. It is an antibacterial and antiviral herb for fighting colds, coughs

and the flu. One of the best ways to take advantage of garlic’s healing properties is by
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drinking fresh garlic tea. Sweetened with little raw honey, it’s delicious and helps to heal

what ails you. Peel 2 to 3 cloves of fresh garlic and lightly crush them with side of a wide

knife blade. Add them to 2 cups of water and bring to boil. Lower the heat and simmer

for another 15 minutes. Strain the garlic and allow the tea to cool to mouth temperature.

Add raw honey, a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper and a squeeze of lemon juice. Drink as

much as desired. She added also that a wonderful home remedy for adults or kids

suffering from a cough uses brown cane sugar, raw honey or stevia and red onions to

make a soothing and tasty cough syrup.

The home remedies that are commonly prescribed for asthma are lobelia and

ephedra. Lobelia is an antispamosdic and expectorant, which gets rids the body mucus.

Ephedra is a bronchodilator, which eases spasm of the airways. The herbal treatment of

asthma much be carefully handled, as some of the herbs used cam be toxic (Peters, 2005).

According to Dr. Janet McElhaney, plugging into a vaporized and resting in bed

for two days is a key to treating a flu. A vaporizer can make you feel better by returning

moisture to dry, cracked nasal passages and lips. It can also help relieve a painful sore

throat and loosen dried mucus. One home remedy for flu is to take a hot steamy shower.

The steam acts as a vaporizer, because it provides a moist environment (Faelten, 1997).

According to Lucas (2007) on his informative speech, home remedies are

considered worldwide tradition. One of the best home remedies for ailment is chili

pepper. He explained that chili pepper originated more than 5,000 years ago in South

America, near what is today Bolivia and Brazil. Chili pepper is a worldwide tradition that

has been spicing up lives and diets for thousands of years. He believed that this ancient

plant will continue to find new users in the modern age.

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Historically, one of the most ancient home remedies was a major use of aloe vera

for the treatment of minor burns. In fact many households kept a live aloe, ‘burn plant’,

on the windmill for emergency first aid. Aloe vera is typically effective is a variety of

situations – for instance minor burns, acne, seborrhea, eczema, psoriasis and impetigo.

As an example, a recent study of the effects of aloe vera gel on 60 psoriasis patients

concluded that over 80% of patients received significant benefits (compare to only 7%

who took a placebo). Furthermore, no adverse drug-related symptoms or side-effects

were observed (Maughan, 1996).

One of the most popular examples of a home remedy is the use of chicken soup to

treat respiratory infections such as a cold or mild flu. other examples of medically

successful home remedies include willow bark tea to cure headaches and fevers (willow

bark contains salicylic acid, which is chemically similar to acetylsalicylic acid, also

known as aspirin; duct tape to help with setting broken bones; superglue to treat plantar

warts; and kogelmogel to treat sore throat.

Home remedies can help build immunity, reduce symptoms and prevent the onset

of colds and the flu. Many of these folks medicines can even be found in the kitchen

cabinet. Natural remedies are inexpensive, compared to over-the-counter cold remedies,

and they do not suppress symptoms but rather allow the body to cleanse and heal itself

(Grimes, 2010).

Studies of the health practices among Filipino Americans suggest that people who

are originally from the rural areas in the Philippines are more knowledgeable regarding

home remedies, traditional healing technique, and supernatural ailments, whereas those
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from urban area rely more on western medical intervention and over-the-counter-drugs

(Gardan, 2007).

Herbal Medicines

In 1992 during the term of Juan Flavier as Secretary of Health, a brochure of 10

medicinal plants (akapulko, ampalaya, bawang, bayabas, lagundi, niyog-niyogan,

pansitpansitan, sambong, tsaang-gubat, and yerba Buena) for common health problems

was published and commercial productions was pursued. The Department of Health

endorsed these ten medicinal plants. All of these have been thoroughly tested and have

been clinically proven to be effective in the relied and treatment of various diseases.

Despite the fact that some herbal medicines have slower rate, many medicinal doctors are

now recognizing the validity of these approved herbal medicines and is an alternative in

preventing a disease.

Some reminders on the uses of herbal medicine promoted by the Department of

Health are the following: (1) Avoid the use of insecticides as these may leave a poison on

plants; (2) In the preparation of herbal medicine, use a clay pot and remove cover while

boiling at low heat; (3) Use only the part of the plant being advocated; (4) Follow

accurate dose of suggested preparation; (5) Use only the kind of herbal plant for each

type of symptom of sickness; (6) Stop giving herbal medication in care untoward reaction

such as allergy occurs; and (7) If sign and symptoms are not relieved after 2 or 3 doses of

herbal medication, consult a doctor or physician.

Herbal medicines are also known as botanical medicine or phytotherapy. These

medicines are combination of plant extracts and plants to cure certain ailments (Daniels,

2004). The use of herbs or medicinal plants in curing the diseases started during the
 18

ancient Egypt and biblical times. The herbs were studied for their benefits in alternative

medicine. By the 19th century many medicinal plant extracts and decoction were patented

and sold. Some of the most famous and commonly used herbs overseas are basil,

peppermint, oregano, parsley, sage, chamomile, thyme, garlic, and lemon (Compton’s

Encyclopedia, 2005).

In the Philippines, herbs are widely used even before the introduction of modern

and western medicines. However, Western medicine has influence mostly the urban

areas. Rural folks depended much on herbs to treat different ailment and sickness.

Filipinos are known to combine herbs with folk medicines or traditional medicines in

treating their patients. These people are called traditional healers, and have different local

names depending on the locality. This increasing number of population, together with the

continuing price increase of medicines have pushed the people to turn back to use of

herbal medicine. It is doubtful that modern medicinal services will ever be adequate

given the country’s limited resources and manpower (Delos Santos, 1995).

Traditional Medicines/Folk Medicines

Republic Act No. 8423 is an act creating the Philippine Institute of Traditional

and Alternative Health Care (PITAH) to accelerate the development of traditional and

alternative health care in the Philippines, providing for a traditional and alternative health

care development fund and other purposes.

This Act is known as the “Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act (TAMA) of

1997”. In the declaration of policy, it clearly state the policy of the State is to improve the

quality and delivery of health care services and its integration into the national health care

delivery system.
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It shall also be the policy of the State to seek a legally workable basis by which

indigenous societies would own their knowledge of traditional medicine. When such

knowledge is used by outsider, the indigenous societies can require the permitted users to

acknowledge its sources and can demand a share of any financial return that may come

from its authorized commercial use.

The objectives of this Act are as follows: (a) To encourage scientific research to

develop traditional and alternative health care system that have direct impact on public

health care; (b) To promote and advocate the use of traditional, alternative, preventive

and curative health care modalities that have been proven safe, effective, cost effective

and consistent with government standards on medical practice; (c) To develop and

coordinate skills training courses for various forms of traditional and alternative health

care modalities; (d) To formulate standards, guidelines and codes of ethical practice

appropriate for the practice of traditional and alternative health care as well as in the

manufacture, quality control and marketing of different traditional and alternative health

care materials, natural and organic products, for approval and adoption by the appropriate

government agencies; (e) To formulate polices for the protection of indigenous and

natural health resources and technology from unwarranted exploitation, for approval and

adoption by the appropriate government agencies; (f) To formulate policies to strengthen

the role of traditional and alternative health care in international and national

conventions, seminars and meetings in coordination with the Department of Tourism,

Duty Free Philippines, Incorporated, Philippines Convention and Visitors Corporation

and other tourism-related agencies as well as non-government organizations and local

government units.
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According to the Encyclopedia Americana (1997), folk medicine is a body of

medicine that is part of the culture of a particular ethnic or geographic group of people.

This is a set of simple health practices handed down within individual families. Much

folk medicine deals with emotional needs of the patient that may be related to his bodily

ailments. For example, the American Indian medicine man was often observed to involve

the patient’s family and tribe in such a way that personal conflicts were resolved while

the patient recovered his physical health. The tribal members sometimes offered gifts to

the patient, and sometimes the curative rituals involve a family member with whom the

patient had quarreled.

Apostol (2005) conducted a study about the importance of the use of traditional

medicines in the Philippines due to the worsening crisis of the economy and strong

culture of the Filipinos. Included in this study is the practice of Filipinos on “hilots”.

According to Apostol, therapeutic massage in the Philippines is a tradition as old

as the island’s first inhabitants. Most widely known as “hilot or hilut”, the massage

tradition is known by a variety of other names such as follows: Agod or Agud

(Maguindanao, Maranao); Aplos (Bontoc); Aptus (Ivatan); Elot (Ilongot); Hagud

(Bukidnon); Ilat (Isneg); Ilot or Ilut (Ilocano, Itawis, Zambal, Pampango); Ilu (Ibanag);

Kemkem (Pangasinan); Unar (Kalinga); and Abion (Northern Ilocano).

In addition, cultural diversity refers to the differences or variations both between

and among different cultures. Leninger (1985) defined culture as the learned, shared, and

transmitted values, beliefs, norms, and lifeways of a particular group that guides their

thinking, decision, and actions in patterned ways. Leninger also emphasized the generic

(folk or lay) care system. This is a culturally studied and given indigenous (or
 21

traditional), folk (community and home-based) knowledge and skills used to provide

assistive, supportive, enabling, or facilitative acts toward or another individual, groups, or

institution with evident or anticipated needs to ameliorate or improve a human life and

health condition (or well being). Further it is also used to deal with handicaps and death

situation. Leininger believed that health is a key concept in transcultural nursing because

of the weight on the need for nurses to have knowledge that is specific to the culture in

which nursing is being practiced. It is acknowledged that health is seen as being universal

across culture but distinct within each culture in a way that represent the belief, values,

and practices of the particular culture. With regard to the nurses’ responsibility of patient

care, Leininger gave three types of nursing actions which are culturally-based and thus

consistent with the needs and values of the clients. These are: (1) Cultural Care

Preservation/Maintenance; (2) Cultural Care Accommodation/ Negotiation; and

(3) Cultural Repatterning/Restructuring. These three modes of action can lead to the

deliverance of nursing care that best fits with the client’s culture and thus reduce cultural

stress and chance for conflict between client and caregiver (Octaviano and Balita, 2008).

Factors that Contributes to Utilization of Home Remedies

Research has discovered thousands of healing nutrients in the foods that we eat

every day. Clinical researchers at leading universities have found that the naturally

occurring properties in foods have the healing powers to cure common ailments, with

minimal risk of side effects, and without paying the enormous cost of prescription drugs.

Home remedies work quickly, safely and are generally effective for people who use

them. In order to make home remedies, it is imperative to possess the knowledge of what
 22

to use, the proper ingredients and have someone to show or tell you how to prepare the

natural remedies (Grimes, 2010).

Herbs, spices and fresh foods can be effective in treating most ailments ranging

from minor pains to infection. Expensive antibiotics are widely used today, even for

conditions that can usually be cure with natural remedies. These antibiotics are usually

effective by killing the offending bacteria. Unfortunately, they also kill friendly or

beneficial flora and fauna, causing the body to take longer to recover than otherwise

necessary had the antibiotics not been used. Natural remedies are usually effective for

treating minor infections, and at the same time, strengthen the body’s immune system to

better fend of other ailments, such as hair loss, acne breakouts, dandruff, and promise

healing and mending of aches, pains, wounds and burns (Blunt and Wilfrid, 1994).

According to Davis (2009), one can experiment with different natural remedies to

determine the ones that work best for one’s condition. A person doesn’t need to only rely

on drugs that are potentially damaging for the body and can cost a lot of money to treat

all ailments when home remedies using natural herbs, spices and foods are all around the

home kitchens that saves money and is good for the body.

Some related studies show that poverty is a big factor in the utilization of home

remedies especially in underdeveloped countries. In fact, it is one major problem

affecting the Filipinos today. It is linked to the rapid population growth leading to poor

education eventually affecting knowledge. In relation to the study, knowledge is the only

powerful tool to bridge the gap in the increasing number of common childhood diseases

as Grimes verified in connection with home remedies.

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Predisposing Factors to Common Childhood Diseases

According to the pulmonary specialist, Dr. Sally Wenzel, a family history of

asthma and exposure to viruses or allergens set the stage for asthma. Men are just as

likely to develop asthma as women.In addition, Professor Peters says that when someone

with asthma inhales irritants particles, such a pollen or pollute air, the immune system

overreacts, producing histamine, making the airway narrow and swell.

As to chickenpox, people who have not had chickenpox can catch it from

someone with shingles, but only via direct contact with the shingles rash and not via

cough and sneezes. Professor Peter said that the predisposing factor is weakened immune

system. If the child is otherwise healthy, the infection is likely to be mild and will not

need treatment. The child will normally recover fully between 10 and 14 days after the

onset of the first crop of the chickenpox rash.

Consequently, each time a sugar or refined carbohydrates settlers on the teeth

(and that includes sweet, juice, milk, sweetened colas, breath mints and fruits), it provides

a taste meal for the bacteria that live in the plaque in the mouth. Then for the next 20

minutes or more, acid forms. If the teeth and gums are susceptible, one could be on

his/her way to a cavity, gum disease or an abscess, all of which can cause toothache

(Chapleau et al., 2009).

According to Dr. Carole Hellmen, flu viruses change from year to year, keeping

the bugs one step ahead of our immune system. Disease-fighting antibodies produced

after exposure to a previous year’s virus no longer recognize the next year’s strain, so we

have no defense from previous exposure (Faelten, 1997),

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In addition, the disease agent for influenza in transmitter from nasopharyngeal

secretions and lung oxidates from person to person by coughing, sneezing and vigorous

talking. The droplets of secretions containing the virus from the infected person to be

breathed in by someone who is not infected, starts to have the symptoms from one to

three days later (Silvestri, 2008).

According to Bowden, Ljungman, and David (2010), pneumonia is due primarily

to infections, with less common causes including irritants and the unknown. Although

more than one hundred strains of microorganisms can cause pneumonia, only a few are

responsible for most cases. The most common types of infectious agents are viruses and

bacteria, with its being less commonly due to fungi or parasites. Mixed infections with

both viruses and bacteria may occur in up to 45% of infections in children and 15% of

infections in adults. The term pneumonia is sometimes more broadly applied to

inflammation of the lung (for example caused by autoimmune disease, chemical burns or

drug reactions) however this is more accurately referred to as pneumonitis.

One major predisposing factor affecting the children to the occurrences of

common childhood disease is the sudden climate change. Every change in weather sends

a new round of people to the doctor. According to Mackenzie (2012), people get sick

from bacteria and a weak immune system, not from temperature. But weather changes

can cause symptoms that are just as aggravating as the real thing. She insisted that

weather alone can’t make a person ill, but changes in weather are accompanied by a host

of other changes that can give a person flu symptoms. The body is used to functioning in

a certain temperature, so as the season change, the body is forced to re-adapt. This

includes the immune system, making the body more vulnerable to infections and viruses.
 25

Conceptual Framework

The researcher will be guided by the model illustrated below:

Independent Variables Dependent Variables

Mother-Respondents’ Profile:

a. Age,
b. Civil Status,
c. Educational attainment,
d. Occupation ,
e. Monthly family income,
f. Ethnic origin

1.Extent of maternal practices

on the home remedies for the
following common childhood
diseases:

a. Upper Respiratory
Infections
b. Asthma,
c. Tonsillitis,
d. Dental Carries

Child-Respondents’ Profile:

a. Age,
b. Sex,
c. Ordinal position

Figure 1

Paradigm of the study

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Operational Definition of Terms

Common Childhood Diseases. These refer to the ailments frequently affecting

the children aged 5 years old and below in the community. The diseases mentioned in the

study are the following: Asthma, chickenpox, dental caries, influenza, pneumonia, skin

disease, tonsillitis, and upper respiratory infection.

Folk Medicine. This refer to healing practices and ideas of body physiology and

health preservation known to a limited segment of the population in a culture, transmitted

informally as general knowledge, and practices or applied by anyone in the culture

having prior experience.

Home Medicines. These refer to the use of medicinal plants to treat ailments or

childhood diseases.

Home Remedies. These refer to the utilization of herbal and folk/traditional

medicines and practices being applied to treat or cure childhood diseases. Home remedies

employ certain spices, vegetables, or herbs found in the kitchen.

Traditional Medicines. These refer to health practices, approaches, knowledge

and beliefs incorporating plant, animal and mineral-based medicines, spiritual beliefs,

manual techniques and exercises, applied singularly or in combination to treat, diagnose

and prevent illnesses or maintain well-being.

Utilization. This refers to the practice on the use of home remedies such as herbal

medicines and traditional medicines for common childhood diseases.

Age. This term refers to the length of time of existence of the respondents from

birth to the time of the conduct of the study.

 27

Civil Status. It refers to the marital status of the respondents whether they are

married, single, or widow.

Educational Attainment. This refers to the level of formal education the

respondents have reached until the conduct of the study.

Occupation. This refers to the role of the respondents in the home which is either

working or non-working.

Monthly family income. This term refers to the monthly earnings of the family

spent for the needs of their needs.

Ethnic origin. This term pertains to or characteristics of a people, especially a

group sharing a common and distinctive culture, religion, language or the like.

Assumptions

The study will be guided by the following assumptions:

1. The answers of the respondents to the data gathering instrument are honest

and correct.

2. The questionnaire checklist to be used in gathering data is valid and reliable.

Hypothesis

The researcher posited the following hypothesis that there is no significant

relationship between the respondent’s extent of practices on home remedies of common

childhood disease and their socio-demographic profile:

a. Age,

b. Civil Status,

c. Educational attainment,

d. Occupation ,
 28

e. Monthly family income,

f. Ethnic groups

Methodology.

This section present the research design, population and sample, data gathering

instrument, data gathering procedure, and statistical treatment of data.

Research Design. The researcher will make use of the descriptive survey method

of research with the use of the questionnaire-checklist as the main instrument in gathering

the needed data for the study.

This study will be supplemented by actual experiences, personal experience,

readings, published books and printed materials as source of information for the study.

Population. The respondents of the study will include 152 mothers who are the

main providers of care to their children. The number of respondents was determined by

employing the Slovin’s formula.

Table 1 shows the distribution of the respondents of the study.

Table 1

Distribution of the Respondents

SITIOS N
( Total population of mothers with n
children below five years old)

ASIN 30 28
BATUAN 45 40
COPLO 27 25
PENGED 25 24
NANGALISAN CENTRAL 38 35

TOTAL 165 152

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Data Gathering Instrument. A questionnaire formulated by the researcher will

be the main gathering tool to be used in the study. The questionnaire was based from the

study of Segundo (2012) entitled “Utilization of Home Remedies for Common Childhood

Diseases in Ambiong, La Trinidad Benguet”.

Data Gathering Procedure. The researcher will seek the permission from the

Head of the Municipal Health Service (MHSO) of Baguio City and also from the

Barangay Captain of Ambiong to float questionnaire in Nangalisan, Baguio City.

Statistical Treatment of Data. The data to be gathered will be treated with the

following statistical tools:

1. Frequency and percentage to determine the distribution and describe the

socio-demographic profile of the respondents.

2. Mean to describe the respondent’s extent of practices on home remedies.

3. Bivariate correlation analysis will be employed to determine the relationship

between the dependent and independent variables.

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THE QUESTIONNAIRE

Part I. Instruction: Please put a check mark (/) on the appropriate column that
corresponds to your answer.
Profile:
a. Age: _________________
b. Civil Status: ____________________
c. Educational Attainment:
Elementary graduate ( ___ )
High School graduate ( ___ )
Vocational graduate ( ___ )
College graduate ( ___ )
d. Occupation: ____________________
e. Monthly Family Income : ___________________
f. Ethnic Origin: _________________________

Part II. Please rate the extent of practices on the home remedies for each
common childhood disease.

5 - ALWAYS
4 - OFTEN
3 - SOMETIMES
2 - SELDOM
1 – NEVER

A. Upper Respiratory Infection A O So Se N

(5 (4 (3 (2) (1)
) ) )
1. I let my child take ginger tea several times in a day.
2. I let my child drink garlic oil mixed in warm water.
3. I apply oil on chest and back, on temple and back of the neck to
ease congestion.
4. I let my child inhale boiled eucalyptus oil on a clean cloth and let
a child sniff it.
5. I let my child take a lemon juice extract and a teaspoon of honey
in a glass of lukewarm water.
6. I let my child gargle with lukewarm salt water.
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7. I do some traditional rituals such as “kanyao” or butchering a

native chicken.
8. If my child has fever, I do a tepid sponge bath.
8.1 I apply cold compress on the
forehead.
8.2 I apply cold compress on the axilla.
8.3 I administer over the counter drug like Paracetamol (e.g.
Tempra or Calpol)

B. Asthma A O So Se N
(5 (4 (3 (2) (1)
) ) )
1. I let my child drink a cup of green tea.
2. I do massage therapy to my child for relaxation.
3. I practice steam inhalation for at least 15-20 minutes.
4. I give chicken soup to my child.
5. I apply coconut oil on the chest and back of my child.
6. I let my child drink a cup of Lagundi.
7. I use paud’arco to rub the back of my child
8. I do some traditional rituals such as “kanyao” or butchering a
native chicken.

C. Tonsillitis A O So Se N
(5 (4 (3 (2) (1)
) ) )
1. I let my child gargle of warm water with a tablespoon of vinegar.
2. I let my child gargle with ginger solution several times in a day.
3. I let my child take food supplements such as vit. C.
4. I let my child gargle with warm salt solution.
5. I give vegetable juices, such as carrot, cucumber.
6. I let my child take a lemon juice extract in glass of warm water.
7. I increase fluid intake of my child.
8. I let my child take calamansi juice and a teaspoon of salt in glass
of lukewarm water.

D. Dental Caries A O So Se N
(5 (4 (3 (2) (1)
) ) )
1. I let my child gargle with ginger solution.
2. I let my child gargle with warm boiled guava leaves.
3. I put a garlic clove of the decaying tooth.
4. I apply oregano oil on the infected tooth.
5. I let my child take onion to prevent tooth decay.
6. I give peppermint or yerba Buena for pain relief.
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7. I let my child use twigs to brush his/her teeth.

8. I let my child use thread, ribbon, or tape to floss his/her teeth.