Quilombola women perception of local diseases and forms of treatment

Abstract

This study aimed to report the perception of local diseases by women of the Quilombo Castainho (Garanhuns-PE). Participatory Rapid Diagnosis (DRP) was used in a group of 30 women, associating visual stimuli and building a picture concerning the diseases afflicting the community, the place and the form of treatment used. Quilombo Castainho is located near the headquarters of the municipality and has a Basic Health Unit (UBS). It was found that traditional treatment practices are maintained directly or associated with medications in most (71%) of the listed diseases. The choice for medicinal plants is higher for mild to moderate cases, such as symptoms of stomach aches, colds and coughing. For diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, the UBS is sought. In more severe cases, such as Cancer and AVS, the population seeks the municipal hospitals. The informants expressed concern with anxiety and depression, common among women. Medical care is crucial to the population’s quality of life, but care is limited. It was concluded that women have a traditional knowledge for the classification of diseases and forms of treatment, are aware of the therapeutic itinerary, the importance of medical services and maintain traditional practices for health treatments.