Perceptions of dengue fever from the perspective of a rural community on the Caribbean coast in Colombia

Abstract

The study sought to understand perceptions about dengue fever in a rural community in Córdoba, Colombia, with the aim of guiding specific community nursing actions aimed at health care and education for people, families and rural communities. 20 semi-structured interviews were carried out with heads of families (13 men and 7 women), selected based on the criteria of being members of the community for more than 20 years, self-identifying as peasants and being at least 18 years of age. The number of participants was determined after reaching theoretical saturation. The interviews were transcribed and organized into an analysis matrix for coding, categorization and data analysis. The findings revealed three analytical categories: search for knowledge about the disease, in situ practices and past and present care. The families interviewed have basic knowledge about the disease and the causative vector, maintaining family practices related to the use of medicinal plants for family care and self-medication in the early stages, due to low risk perception. Peasant families build sociocultural representations based on solidarity, family support and respect for the knowledge of the elderly. Nursing is presented as an essential actor in the collection of care practices for the elaboration and application of care plans contextualized according to the needs of the territory. The research was approved with code SI-FCS-02-22, authorizing its implementation.

Keywords

• dengue fever
• communicable disease control
• culture
• social perception
• rurality