Meranaw Cultural Perspectives on HIV Prevention and Transmission in Lanao Del Sur

The rapid escalation of HIV cases in the Philippines presents a profound public health challenge in the Bangsamoro region, where medical crises intersect with deeply held religious and cultural values. This study explores the socio-cultural motivations within the Meranaw community, specifically investigating how the concepts of maratabat (social honor and rank) and kaya (shame) influence HIV perception and prevention in Lanao del Sur. By adopting a qualitative methodology, researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with people living with HIV (PLHIV), healthcare professionals, and Islamic Religious Authorities (Ulama). The study utilized the Social Ecological Model (SEM) and the Health Belief Model (HBM) to analyze how these traditional values dictate health-seeking behaviors and social stigma. The findings reveal that maratabat enforces a pervasive "culture of silence," where the fear of bringing disgrace to one's clan often outweighs the perceived benefits of medical intervention. In this environment, HIV is frequently framed through a moralistic lens as either a spiritual "test" or a "punishment," leading to a dangerously low perception of susceptibility among the general population. Many community members believe that adherence to religious norms provides immunity, which inadvertently discourages proactive testing. Furthermore, structural barriers such as excessive mahr (dowry) were found to indirectly increase vulnerability by delaying marriage, creating a socioeconomic environment where traditional protections are harder to access. Ultimately, the study concludes that religious authority remains the most potent "Cue to Action" within the Meranaw context. By reframing HIV care as a prophetic mandate of mercy and communal responsibility, the Ulama can provide a pathway for individuals to bypass cultural shame. Effective public health interventions must shift the regional discourse from moral prohibition toward compassionate healing. Integrating faith-based messaging with clinical support is essential to penetrate the "crisis of silence" and ensure that the pursuit of honor no longer obstructs the fundamental right to healthcare and life.