Understanding intimate self-care among riverine women: qualitative research through the lens of the Sunrise Model

Rev Bras Enferm. 2024 Jul 19;77(2):e20230364. doi: 10.1590/0034-7167-2023-0364. eCollection 2024.
[Article in English, Portuguese]

Abstract

Objectives: to contribute to the change in understandings and knowledge of the popular system among riverine women about female intimate self-care before and after the application of an educational dynamic.

Methods: a qualitative-participative study based on the Sunrise Model. Twenty women registered at a Basic Health Unit on the Combu island, state of Pará, Brazil, participated in the second half of 2022. Semi-structured interviews were conducted before and after the educational dynamic; followed by reflective inductive analysis.

Results: these are pointed out: a female mechanism of generational education; the cultural act of bathing as synonymous with intimate self care and disease prevention; intimate care with medicinal herbs; lack of professional system approach to the topic; fear of using "muddy water"; and lack of financial resources to purchase specific products for genitourinary care.

Final considerations: companionship and social factors drive intimate self-care; however, riverine women experience taboos, ignorance, and poverty.

Objetivos:: contribuir para el cambio de comprensiones y saberes del sistema popular de mujeres ribereñas sobre el autocuidado íntimo femenino, antes y detrás la aplicación de una dinámica educativa.

Métodos:: estudio cualitativo-participativo apoyándose en el Sunrise Model. Participaron 20 mujeres, registradas en Unidad Básica de Salud de la isla de Combu, estado de Pará, Brasil, en el segundo semestre de 2022. Ocurrieron entrevistas semiestructuradas antes y detrás la dinámica educativa; y posterior análisis inductiva reflexiva.

Resultados:: señálese un mecanismo femenino de educación generacional; acto cultural del baño como sinónimo de autocuidado íntimo y prevención de enfermedades; aseos íntimos con hierbas medicinales; falta de abordaje del tema por el sistema profesional; temor del uso del “agua turbia”; y falta de recursos financieros para compra de productos específicos vueltos a cuidados genitourinarios.

Consideraciones Finales:: factores de compañerismo y sociales mueven el autocuidado íntimo, pero tabús, desconocimiento y pobreza han vividos por ribereñas.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brazil
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic / methods
  • Middle Aged
  • Qualitative Research*
  • Self Care* / methods
  • Self Care* / psychology