HEALTH BELIEFS AND PRACTICES ON MATERNAL AND CHILD CARE AMONG THE ISUMACHER PEOPLE OF SUMADEL, TINGLAYAN KALINGA: A BASIS FORSTRENGTHENING MNCHN PROGRAM OF DOH

Abstract

This study, aims to determine the health beliefs and practices on Maternal and child care among the Isumacher people in Sumadel, Tinglayan Kalinga as a basis for strengthening the MNCHN program of DOH. In this study, the researchers utilized descriptive correlational research design in order to determine the significant difference and relationship of the profile of the Isumacher people to their health beliefs and practices on maternal and childcare. A total of one hundred thirty-eight (138) respondents were selected and purposive or judgmental sampling was utilized in determining the respondents. A survey questionnaire was used and collected data were analyzed statistically. The analysis includes the utilization of frequency count and percentage distribution for the profile variables of the respondents. Based on the findings, the greatest number of the respondents are Roman Catholic, 51 years old and above, married, elementary and had more than 31 years of residency in Sumadel, Tinglayan Kalinga. A weighted mean was also used in determining the health beliefs and practices of the Isumacher regarding Maternal and Childcare in terms of prenatal and postnatal. The analysis finds that the respondents believed that eating male pork during pregnancy may cause their unborn child to have boils, and that it is important to offer a simple ritual called “ontad” after birth to welcome the newborn. Also, health practices include drinking plenty of water, eating plenty of healthy foods, washing hands with soap and water before and after holding the baby, washing the baby’s face and neck daily, bathing the baby with thorough drying, and keeping the baby warm. Additionally, using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and an independent sample T-test, results showed that the profile variables of the respondents had an impact on the respondent’s health beliefs and practices on Maternal and Childcare which implies that one's demographic profile can influence one's perception of health, health beliefs, and health practices. Furthermore, the study also showed using regression analysis that there is a significant relationship between health beliefs and the respondents profile variables with their health practices in maternal and childcare, this suggests that an individual's profile variables and health beliefs can influence their health practices, and how they respond to modifications in their lifestyle, health-care interventions, and compliance recommendations.