Health Care Beliefs and Practices among Atas in Canggohob, Mabinay, Philippines : None

The study examined the healthcare beliefs and practices among Atas in Barangay Canggohob, Municipality of Mabinay, Negros Oriental, Philippines. There were 25 Atas, 10 of them were Ata women who have experienced pregnancy or were pregnant during the time this study was conducted and the rest are tribal healersand tribal leaderas respondents to the study. The qualitative-phenomenological research method was used in a descriptive stream utilizing focus group interviews, participant observation, and video documentation. The researcher is a member of the tribal group and a teacher in Barangay Canggohob. Ethical approval was secured, and the participants consented to the conduct of the research. The findings revealed that Atas still believed that sickness was caused by weather and supernatural forces of nature. The diversity of herbal medicines and the preparation have cultural importance to Atas' different stages of life and different healing practices. They still used bamboo blades for cutting the umbilical cords of Ata women who had given birth. There were not much of healthcare practices during puberty, adolescence, and adulthood except for menstrual beliefs and circumcision which were relative to their cultural views. Moreover, Atas perceived that technology, media, modernization, and medical missions and outreach programs disconnected them from their cultural identity. Atas have shown some reception to public health programs which contributed to the preservation of their cultural healthcare practices up to this time. The Atas in Barangay Canggohob have been part of society's mainstream. They haveidentified themselves because of their distinct health practices and beliefs.