ABSTRACT

Tuberculosis is a preventable and curable disease. In spite of this, it is still one of the main causes of human suffering and death through infection. A better understanding of tuberculosis patient's knowledge, beliefs and practices regarding tuberculosis is important for the improvement of public health education on TB. This study used a qualitative research design utilizing ethnographic method. The participants included two females and four males with the age ranging from 24 to 70 years old. Data were gathered through observation and a one-on one interview with in depth open ended questions. Their answers were used to draw a conclusion. The results of the study in terms of health beliefs show that physically, some participants consulted faith healers psychologically; some participants believed that keeping positive in mind would prevent them from diseases and make them relieved. Socially, participants do not want to talk with other people because of being ashamed that they might spread the disease. And spiritually, they believe that faith healers could help them heal their disease. While in terms of practices, it revealed that physically they use herbal medicines by boiling, drinking, and patching them. Psychologically, they set their minds to be positive in life by thinking that they are going to be healed. Socially, participants had much time to interact with other people, and spiritually, all of them seek help from God by praying. The factors that affect the health beliefs and practices were confusion, adaptation of other people's heath beliefs, and missed dosage of medicine. The researchers concluded that all participants have low income despite being the bread winners of the family Level of education and poverty could be factors in having proper health beliefs and practices regarding TB. Persons with TB had their regular check-up and consistent treatment but still consulted a traditional healer. This research recommends that the participants should attend the events regarding TB conducted by the BHW. These events such as health education, campaigns for TB, parent's class, and mandatory regular check-up at CHO, MHO or RHU can help people in the barangay have an awareness of TB and sufficient knowledge in dealing with it.