Folk Health Wisdoms as an Alternative Health Care Modality in the Community

This study aimed to investigate perceptions and practices of folk health wisdoms among various age groups in Thailand. The study used an exploratory design involving a survey and focus group discussions. Between March 2003 and April 2005, 422 respondents from 5 communities of different districts of Chonburi Province, Thailand were interviewed, and then followed up for clarification of responses by focus groups in each community. Most respondents (93.8%), especially in the older age groups, were familiar with and interested in folk health wisdoms, with 62.8% using one or more kinds of folk health wisdoms. Herbal medicines and massage were most often used as health care, with significant differences in use (p < .05) between younger and older age groups. Younger people (<35 years) used almost every type of folk health wisdom in lesser percentages, with the exception of mind control therapies. Greater use of folk health wisdoms could contribute to improving the health care of the people of Thailand. However, to appropriately use and integrate these practices, the people need to increase their confidence in these modalities and be encouraged by the official health system.