Traditional Health Beliefs and Childcare Practices Among Parents in Albay, Philippines: A Qualitative Study

Traditional and community-based health beliefs continue to shape childcare practices in many Filipino families. This qualitative study explored traditional health beliefs and their influence on childcare practices among parents of children aged 6–12 years in selected communities in Albay, Philippines. Eight parents were purposively selected from four barangays representing urban, coastal-island, and upland settings. Data were collected through individual in-person interviews using a validated self-structured interview guide and analyzed through Braun and Clarke’s six-phase thematic analysis. Findings identified nine categories of traditional health beliefs: bathing rules, menstruation rituals, spiritual healing, childcare and feeding traditions, herbal medicines, circumcision traditions, immunization myths, pregnancy myths, and traditional first aid. Elders were the most influential source of these beliefs, while social media had a secondary and conditional role and peers were generally the least trusted. Traditional practices provided familiarity, accessibility, and perceived effectiveness but sometimes contributed to delayed formal consultation, postponed immunization, discomfort, or other adverse outcomes. Parents nevertheless demonstrated willingness to modify long-standing beliefs when Community Health Workers provided clear and culturally understandable explanations. Participants recommended interactive forums, one-on-one health education, visual aids, use of the Bikol language, and culturally responsive community outreach to improve parental health literacy and childcare practices.