Health-Seeking Behaviors: Factors Affecting Reliance on Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine (TCAM)

This study aimed to examine the reliance of community residents on traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine (TCAM) and to identify the factors influencing such reliance. A descriptive-correlational research design was employed using a validated questionnaire administered to 100 purposively selected residents from selected barangays in the Municipality of Dapa. Findings revealed a high level of TCAM reliance among respondents, as indicated by three key dimensions: frequency of use (M = 3.324), types of TCAM utilized (M = 3.252), and purposes of TCAM use (M = 3.318), with frequency of use obtaining the highest mean score. Furthermore, all five identified factors were found to contribute to continued TCAM reliance: cultural beliefs and traditions (M = 3.311), perceived effectiveness (M = 3.310), influence of family and community (M = 3.178), accessibility and affordability of healthcare (M = 3.155), and trust in healthcare providers (M = 3.155). Among these, cultural beliefs and traditions and perceived effectiveness received the highest ratings. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant differences in TCAM reliance when respondents were grouped according to educational attainment (p = 0.007) and socioeconomic status (F = 0.093; p = 0.044). Pearson’s correlation analysis demonstrated significant relationships among all identified factors, with the strongest correlation observed between perceived effectiveness of TCAM and the purposes for its use (r = 0.758, p < .001). These findings suggest that reliance on TCAM is shaped by both individual perceptions and sociocultural influences, highlighting the important role of personal beliefs, lived experiences, and community context in healthcare decision-making.

TCAM, Health-Seeking behavior, Cultural Belief and Tradition, Socioeconomic Factors, Perceived Effectiveness

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