Comparative study on beliefs and practices regarding cough and colds among people living in upland and lowland Cavite

This is a non-experimental, quantitative, descriptive study. Simple random sampling was used to select 100 respondents. Data was obtained using a self-made questionnaire and analyzed through median, standard deviation, variance, Mann-Whitney U Test, Kruskal-Wallis and Spearman’s Rank correlation coefficient. The study concluded that, 1) Most of the respondents were female, 30 years old and below, married and had monthly family income of P10,000 and below. There was an equal number of respondents from upland and lowland; 2) The respondents had a good level of belief regarding cough and colds with the overall mean of 3.06; 3) The respondents often performed the practices with an overall mean of 3.4; 4) There was no significant difference in the beliefs of the respondents regarding cough and colds when they were grouped according to gender, civil status and monthly family income. However, there was a significant difference when grouped according to age in the following statements: “Incidence of cough and colds is greater in upland than in lowland Cavite” and “Taking foods rich in Vitamin C.” There was also a significant difference when grouped according to location with the following beliefs: “Water therapy alleviates cough and colds” and “Taking hot shower baths alleviates cough and colds;” 5) There was no significant difference in the practices of the respondents regarding cough and colds when they were grouped according to age, gender and civil status. However, there was a significant difference when they were grouped according to monthly family income with regard the following practices: visit crowded places whenever they have cough and colds, visit the doctor or health center whenever they have cough and colds and eat sweets whenever they have cough and colds. There was a significant difference when grouped according to location with regard to the following practices: cover their nose or mouth whenever they have cough and colds, wash their hands after sneezing and visit crowded places whenever they have cough and colds; 6) There was a significant relationship in some of the beliefs and practices of the respondents regarding cough and colds among people living in upland and lowland Cavite.