Psychosocial Health of the Badjao People During COVID-19 in Jolo, Philippines: An Exploratory Study

Background: The Badjao, a nomadic maritime group in Southeast Asia, faces heightened vulnerability during public health crises due to their reliance on maritime livelihoods, limited healthcare access, and historical marginalization – challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is...

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Main Authors: Zhendra T. Masong, Hamdoni K. Pangandaman
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Diponegoro University 2024-08-01
Series:Nurse Media: Journal of Nursing
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Online Access:https://ejournal.undip.ac.id/index.php/medianers/article/view/55968
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author Zhendra T. Masong
Hamdoni K. Pangandaman
author_facet Zhendra T. Masong
Hamdoni K. Pangandaman
author_sort Zhendra T. Masong
collection DOAJ
description Background: The Badjao, a nomadic maritime group in Southeast Asia, faces heightened vulnerability during public health crises due to their reliance on maritime livelihoods, limited healthcare access, and historical marginalization – challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is a significant research gap in understanding their unique needs and vulnerabilities, especially its specific impacts on their health and well-being due to the pandemic. Purpose: This study explores the psychological and social health of the Badjao and the factors affecting them during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This study used an exploratory qualitative design. Guided semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 purposively selected Badjao respondents from Barangay Bus-Bus, Jolo-Sulu, Philippines. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: The study identified five key themes related to the psychosocial health of the Badjao community during COVID-19 and the affecting factors. They were: (1) Feelings and apprehension, with anxiety over contracting the virus and financial instability; (2) Responses to the pandemic, marked by fear of death, job loss, and hospitalization concerns; (3) Coping mechanisms, where the community relied on traditional remedies, social support, and quarantine adherence; (4) Social status, highlighting food insecurity and disrupted social interactions; and (5) Factors influencing psychosocial health, focusing on the importance of support systems and access to accurate information and resources. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted the social and economic stability of the Badjao community, exacerbating their existing vulnerabilities. The community needed culturally sensitive interventions that addressed both their immediate and long-term needs. Collaborations with local government units and stakeholders are crucial in supporting the resilience and well-being of the Badjao in future crises.
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spelling doaj-art-8ccd48ecffd34313b399a5479e1df77e2025-08-20T03:50:44ZengDiponegoro UniversityNurse Media: Journal of Nursing2087-78112406-87992024-08-0114225626610.14710/nmjn.v14i2.5596824463Psychosocial Health of the Badjao People During COVID-19 in Jolo, Philippines: An Exploratory StudyZhendra T. Masong0https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1863-9175Hamdoni K. Pangandaman1https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7140-9434College of Nursing, Mindanao State University-Sulu, PhilippinesCollege of Health Sciences, Mindanao State University, PhilippinesBackground: The Badjao, a nomadic maritime group in Southeast Asia, faces heightened vulnerability during public health crises due to their reliance on maritime livelihoods, limited healthcare access, and historical marginalization – challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is a significant research gap in understanding their unique needs and vulnerabilities, especially its specific impacts on their health and well-being due to the pandemic. Purpose: This study explores the psychological and social health of the Badjao and the factors affecting them during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This study used an exploratory qualitative design. Guided semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 purposively selected Badjao respondents from Barangay Bus-Bus, Jolo-Sulu, Philippines. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: The study identified five key themes related to the psychosocial health of the Badjao community during COVID-19 and the affecting factors. They were: (1) Feelings and apprehension, with anxiety over contracting the virus and financial instability; (2) Responses to the pandemic, marked by fear of death, job loss, and hospitalization concerns; (3) Coping mechanisms, where the community relied on traditional remedies, social support, and quarantine adherence; (4) Social status, highlighting food insecurity and disrupted social interactions; and (5) Factors influencing psychosocial health, focusing on the importance of support systems and access to accurate information and resources. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted the social and economic stability of the Badjao community, exacerbating their existing vulnerabilities. The community needed culturally sensitive interventions that addressed both their immediate and long-term needs. Collaborations with local government units and stakeholders are crucial in supporting the resilience and well-being of the Badjao in future crises.https://ejournal.undip.ac.id/index.php/medianers/article/view/55968badjaocovid -19pandemicpsychological healthsocial health
spellingShingle Zhendra T. Masong
Hamdoni K. Pangandaman
Psychosocial Health of the Badjao People During COVID-19 in Jolo, Philippines: An Exploratory Study
Nurse Media: Journal of Nursing
badjao
covid -19
pandemic
psychological health
social health
title Psychosocial Health of the Badjao People During COVID-19 in Jolo, Philippines: An Exploratory Study
title_full Psychosocial Health of the Badjao People During COVID-19 in Jolo, Philippines: An Exploratory Study
title_fullStr Psychosocial Health of the Badjao People During COVID-19 in Jolo, Philippines: An Exploratory Study
title_full_unstemmed Psychosocial Health of the Badjao People During COVID-19 in Jolo, Philippines: An Exploratory Study
title_short Psychosocial Health of the Badjao People During COVID-19 in Jolo, Philippines: An Exploratory Study
title_sort psychosocial health of the badjao people during covid 19 in jolo philippines an exploratory study
topic badjao
covid -19
pandemic
psychological health
social health
url https://ejournal.undip.ac.id/index.php/medianers/article/view/55968
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