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Qualitative Health Research
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Health and Illness Concepts Among Lower Income Nicaraguan Women

Rita L. Ailinger

Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.

Rose Gonzalez

American Nurses Association, Silver Spring, Maryland

Lidya Zamora

Universidad de Politecnica de Nicaragua, Managua, Nicaragua

Concepts of health and illness are culturally defined; however, few researchers have reported on these concepts among Latina women. A purposive sample of 14 lower income Nicaraguan women living in a squatter settlement is the focus of this qualitative study. The authors used in-depth, tape-recorded interviews in Spanish to gather data on the women’s concepts of health and illness for adults and babies and of health maintenance activities. The authors analyzed the verbatim transcripts and analyzed them for themes. The women’s concepts of health and illness included four themes: activities, disposition, eating, and appearance. Health maintenance activities included hygiene and sanitation, medical intervention, nutrition, and the appearance of cleanliness. Nurses and other health care providers will find these themes instructive in developing and providing health services for similar Latina women.

Key Words: health concept • Nicaragua • women

Qualitative Health Research, Vol. 17, No. 3, 382-385 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/1049732306297883
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