Health behaviors of the Sierra de Cádiz. Myths and beliefs?

Abstract

Introduction: Throughout history, the practice and persistence of health behaviours and attitudes based on traditional medicine have been observed.

Objectives: To determine whether there are health myths and beliefs in the study population, to describe these myths and beliefs, to determine whether they have persisted over time and to compile the most common myths and beliefs in Sierra de Cádiz.

Methodology: This is a descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study. Our data collection tool was a questionnaire completed by 45 health care professionals in the study area.

Results: A total of 73.3% of the population had health-related myths or beliefs, of which 70% resorted to healers and the use of a herpes remedy.

Conclusions: This study opens and motivates new research lines and highlights the need to develop educational campaigns and implement health-education programmes in which traditional medicine is involved.

Keywords: Beliefs; Healers; Health; Myths; Rural setting.