Folk Wisdom on Self-care among Southerners in Thailand: Ban Phu Sisakotchasan Changwat Songkhla - ภูมิปัญญาดั้งเดิมในการดูแลสุขภาพตนเองของชาวปักษ์ใต้ : กรณีศึกษา บ้านภูศีรษะคชสาร จังหวัดสงขลา

Abstract

           The objectives of the qualitative research were to study the body of knowledge on self-care within a community and its learning process, information imparting, problems and obstacles among southerners, Ban Phu Sisakotchasan, Changwat Songkhla. While secondary data were based on a documentary research, primary data were collected through a series of participatory observation, home visit, self-care activity participation, treatment by traditional medicine, informal interview and in-depth interview of 18 key-informants. With content analysis and logical context description, conclusions were drawn.

            The villagers showed considerable potentials and alternatives in health care at individual family community levels. Facing with minor health problems, they primarily opted for self-care prior to seeking institutional health services. In parallel with traditional folk wisdom, they had various choices in health care. Underlining such abilities of the community were proactive learning adapting and self-reliance inclination vis a vis social, cultural and environmental changes.