A Study of Folk Model of Health Care of Pah-O National Living in Ho Pone Township, Taunggyi District, Shan State

The objectives of the study are to explore and analyze the health beliefs, enabling resources and needs, for traditional medicine in association with Pah-O Nationals, to find out the importance of traditional medicine in Pa-O's nationals and to describe Pah-O traditional health knowledge and health care. Research area is Ho-pone Township of Shan State (South). There were nine main chapters were presented. These are Introduction, Literature Review, Methodology, Historical Background, The types of practitioners, the Use of Traditional Medicine, Pah-O Traditional Medicine Regime for Common Diseases and Health Problems, Discussion, Conclusion and Recommendations. Data collection methods include focus group interviews, participant observations, key informant interviews, In-depth interviews, library surveys, internet and taking photo graphs. This field study in Ho Pong Township was conducted with the permission of Pah-O Literature and Culture (Central) committee, Pah-O National Organization and that of Pah-O Traditional Medicine Practitioners (Central) Association. The informed consent was agreed to participate. According to the study, the Pah-O came into Myanmar in three groups. The first group came into inhabit the Mekong valley. The second group went westwards into Myanmar, via the Shweli River. The last group migrated into Myanmar, via Kutkai- Kyugok passes to Lahio. Those people got mixed with the first and second group who were already resident together at Thaton, Some moved elsewhere in nine groups, seven of them, arriving at Southern Shan State. The scope of Pah-O traditional medicine is very wide in terms of its various methods of treatment, diseases, and pharmaceuticals and herbal medicine with a variety of uses. There have been three generations of Pah-O traditional medicine practitioners. In Pah-O Special Region (6), Ho-pone has the largest number of traditional practitioners. There are three kinds of traditional medicine practitioners in Pah-O community. The Pah-O herbalists are giving treatment with formulation from Myanmar traditional medicine in combination with their medicines prepared with locally available produce and products of herbs and tubers. So this study reveals an introduction of Pah-O region's local herbs and tubers which Pah-O traditional medicine practitioners are using effectively some extent. Pah-O national, mostly all- day-long hard workers, are generally in good health. They work hard rather careless in their choice of diet. This study also states that they have poor nutrition, exhaustion from land work and get severe cold climate collectively create a condition inviting the breakout of some diseases. During this time, their first resort in such a case is to the traditional medicines handed down by their forefathers