Traditional First Aid Practices for Lacerations among the Dayak Meratus Tribe: A Phenomenological Study

The Dayak Meratus tribe commonly practices traditional medicine that focuses on prevention and first aid for childbirth, injuries, and various illnesses. In treating lacerations, they use locally available materials such as ground coffee, amoxicillin powder, banana shoot leaves, and other plants. The practice poses a risk of infection due to poor hygiene and contaminated tools. The research aimed to explore and describe the lived experiences and meanings that Dayak Meratus tribes attribute to providing first aid for lacerations. This was a qualitative phenomenological study conducted with 25 Dayak Meratus community members with experience in traditional laceration treatment, selected through purposive sampling. The lived experiences of participants were captured through in-depth interviews and were analyzed thematically using Colaizzi's method. Four key themes emerged: (1) types of raw materials used to stop bleeding, (2) first aid practices for lacerations, (3) culturally influenced health-seeking behavior, and (4) wound healing duration. Overall, the Dayak Meratus tribe's traditional wound-care practices are diverse and locally resourceful. However, several practices appear to lack standardized, evidence-based guidance and may raise concerns regarding hygiene and safety. The study found that although some practices appeared effective, they were undermined by the lack of aseptic procedures. The study recommends improving the health education practice by integrating traditional culture and wisdom with modern medical safety standards.