Abstract:
The Indigenous people such as the Badjao community have a complex concept
of health which does not only focus on individual well-being but focuses
also on the individual’s balance with nature and spiritual aspects (UNDP,
2010). Therefore, the concept of reproductive health among Badjaos
involves both social and cultural contexts. Such manifests a great need
to prioritize on exploring the beliefs and practices of the targeted
population through looking at their unique socio-cultural perceptions.
This study aims to explore the meaning, and context of reproductive
health among the Badjao of Barangay Wawa, Batangas City. In the process
of doing the study, the Administrative Order No.1: The Indigenous
Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSPs) and Customary Laws (CLs) Research
and Documentation Guidelines of 2012 was used in order to preserve and
protect the rights of the indigenous people. Overall, findings of the
study have shown that Badjaos are adapting to Western views of health
care for maternal care and newborn health, however this is accompanied
by their adherence to traditional know hows. Thus, this study suggests
that feasibility of reproductive health policies can be done through the
integration of both insider and outsider perspectives.
