Infantile malnutrition in the familiar context of adolescent mother: culture care view - DOI: 10.4025/actascihealthsci.v26i1.1648

Abstract

Malnutrition is considered the major cause of infantile mortality. This can be due to the difficult socioeconomic and cultural conditions that they experience in their daily life. The aim of this study was to describe the adolescent mother's cultural context and the undernourished child's care. The informers were the adolescent mothers who accompanied their children interned at the Institute of Prevention to the Malnutrition and Excepcionality (Ipreme). This work is based on the theoretical support of etnonursing according to the Theory of Universality and Cultural Diversity of the Care (Leininger, 1991). Data collection was based on the observation - participation - reflection model. The data were analyzed and the following cultural theme emerged: How to take care of my undernourished child. Results show that, in its majority, adolescent mothers are confused and anxious in the care of the undernourished child. They demonstrate attempts and forms of taking care that goes from the empirical knowledge to the search for health services. The cultural focus of the care in on the holistic attendance leading to larger satisfaction of specific segments of the population marked by sociocultural problems.