Cruise ships and bush medicine: globalization on the Atlantic Coast of Nicaragua and effects on the health of Creole women.
OBJECTIVE
Global health research into the relationship between health, economic inequalities, and globalization is necessary to address increasing health disparities in low income countries. Nicaragua has high levels of poverty and extreme poverty when compared with other Central and South American Countries.


METHODS
Photovoice and ethnographic research methods were used to explore health experiences of Creole women in Bluefields, Nicaragua and the intersections between culture, socioeconomic status, and gender. Twelve Creole women participants, ages 18-45.


METHODS
After initial focus groups, participants used disposable cameras to document health experiences. Follow-up interviews were conducted about the meaning of each photo. Participants then selected photos to be included in a city-wide photoshow.


RESULTS
In initial focus groups, participants described great distress over changes they perceived in Creole culture and how these changes affect the health of the next generation. Participants related most of these changes to the economy and globalization. Photos taken were primarily of aspects of Creole culture, including household practices and traditional remedies from Creole culture.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings on the relationships between culture, disease, and community-identified health risks in this minority population can help health care providers and public health policymakers develop and sustain culturally appropriate health interventions.
Center for Excellence for Health Disparities Research: El Centro, University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies, Coral Gables, Florida.
Emma McKim
EM
Mitchell
University of Virginia School of Nursing, Charlottesville, Virginia.
Richard
R
Steeves
University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia.
Rebecca
R
Dillingham
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D008875:Middle Aged; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009527:Nicaragua; D010781:Photography; D011203:Poverty; D012767:Ships; D014195:Travel; D016387:Women's Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
global health; qualitative research; transcultural nursing; vulnerable populations; women's health