Understand more fully the perception and meaning of health/HEALTH and illness among recipients of health care.
Demographic data Total population size of entire city or town Breakdown by areas—residential concentrations Specific focus on demographics of the target community Breakdown by ages Other breakdowns Education Occupations Income Nations of origin of residents of the location and the target neighborhood Traditional health/HEALTH and illness/ILLNESS beliefs and practices • Definition of health/HEALTH • Definition of illness/ILLNESS • Overall health status Traditional causes of illness/ILLNESS, such as • Poor eating habits • Wrong food combinations • Punishment from God • The evil eye • Hexes, spells, or envy • Witchcraft • Environmental changes • Exposure to drafts • Grief and loss Traditional methods of maintaining health/HEALTH Traditional methods of protecting health/HEALTH Traditional methods of restoring health/HEALTH Home remedies Visits to physicians, nurse practitioners, traditional healers, or other health care resources Health care resources, such as neighborhood health centers Traditional pharmacies, such as a botanica Childbearing beliefs and practices Childrearing beliefs and practices Rituals and beliefs surrounding death and dying
Go on a “hike” through the community. Identify the various services that are available. If possible, visit a community health care provider, visit a church or com- munity center within the neighborhood, visit grocery stores and pharmacies and point out differences in foods and over-the-counter remedies, and eat a meal in a neighborhood restaurant