title: [Myths and beliefs during pregnancy in the northwest region of Portugal and the implications for women's health].
abstract: Throughout her life, the woman is confronted with tales of experiences and stories which are eternally passed on from parents to children, which in rare cases precede beliefs and myths determinants of their behaviours. These beliefs and myths generate fears and worries from which a woman bases the representation of her pregnancy. The main objective of this study held in the north-western region of Portugal is to confirm if the pregnant women who attend the public health services are, or not, influenced by myths or beliefs and to identify behaviours expressed by these woman that are directly dependent on the beliefs. The main conclusion that we may learn from this study is that 82% of the one hundred women whom were interviewed mentioned to have been influenced, in greater or less importance, by myths and beliefs.
authors.affiliation: Maitre en Sociologie de la Santé, Professeur Adjoint a Il'cole Supérieure d'Infirmières Calouste Gulbenkian de l'Université du Minho Escola Superior de Enfermagem Calouste Gulbenkian--Braga.
authors.forename: Maria de Fátima
authors.initials: Mde F
authors.lastname: Vieira Martins
authors.forename: Paula Cristina
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Almeida Remoaldo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D005495:Folklore; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D017533:Marital Status; D009229:Mythology / Q000523:psychology*; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000208:ethnology*; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000208:ethnology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016387:Women's Health / Q000208:ethnology*