Personal Hygiene and Sanitary Measures among Badjaos in Labason, Zamboanga del Norte: Basis for Health Awareness and Services Program

Abstract

Article XII, section 5 in the present Philippine Constitution stipulates the role of the State to protect the indigenous cultural communities and to ensure their economic, social, and cultural well-being. However, this mandate has almost never been materialised for the indigenous Badjao tribe (sea Gypsies). In the province of Zamboanga del Norte itself, they are generally regarded as "beggars", "illiterate", "thieves", and "grimy". This study then determined the Badjaospractices for personal hygiene and sanitary measures in Labason, Zamboanga del Norte as Basis for health awareness and services program. The questionnaire-checklist was used in the gathering of data. Findings disclosed that majority of the respondents have done the practices for personal hygiene and sanitary measures rarely, though female Badjaos are more frequently doing the identified practices for personal hygiene than the males. Both male and female Badjaos are generally equal in frequency in doing those identified practice for sanitary measures. Out of the findings of the study, the following is recommended. The Badjaos in the area are in urgent need of instructions of the importance of personal hygiene practices and sanitary measures. Comfort rooms and garbage facilities must be constructed for them, so that their waste will no longer be disposed of inappropriately.