CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM

This chapter consists of six parts, the introduction, theoretical framework, statement of the problem, scope and limitations of the study, significance of the study, and definition of terms.

INTRODUCTION

Health has been defined by the World Health Organization (1999) as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. An additional description says that “health is defined by what does not constitute health, namely disease” (Risse, 1999). Disease, on the other hand, has been defined as a “biological abnormality” or distress and disability that are based on abnormal processes and structural alterations of the human organism. These definitions represent what medical anthropologists call as ethic definitions or “behavioral phenomena considered in isolation from a particular system or in relation to predetermined general concepts” (Mish, 1990).

Predetermined general concepts may be most applicable to people who are not in the medical field and may have different perceptions about health and how to sustain healthiness and well-being. Less exposure in the “real medical field” and lack of proper health education may result for them to have different ways on how to cope up with health or on the other side is to have no way to handle it due to lack of knowledge, skills, capabilities, and attitude towards the health problem. Others consider on the “healing powers” of some herbal medicines, chemically-prepared medicines, superstitious beliefs, and some with what-they-call “quack doctors”. Studies of health practices among Filipino-Americans suggest that people originally from rural areas in the Philippines are more knowledgeable regarding home remedies, traditional healing techniques, and supernatural ailments, whereas those from urban areas rely more on