[Mental health from the perspective of women affected by the Zika virus: an ethnographic study in Par á State, Brazil].

[Mental health from the perspective of women affected by the Zika virus: an ethnographic study in Pará State, Brazil]. Cad Saude Publica. 2020;36(8):e00100019 Authors: Silva DAD, Silva ÉQ Abstract The current study reflects on the Zika virus outbreak that struck the Brazilian population, with both physical and emotional aspects for all those affected. There is a particular group that has to deal on a daily basis with all the difficulties imposed by this new reality: women. The basic assumption of this approach is the need to learn about, understand, and grasp these biopsychosocial issues in all their breadth. It becomes necessary to delve into a relatively new context that mainly affected poor black and brown Brazilian women with little schooling in order to improve attention to their reproductive rights and mental health. The study thus accessed the reality of women who had children with a diagnosis of microcephaly due to the Zika virus. An ethnographic study performed with a qualitative approach in a referral service for women and children's health in Pará State. The study showed that women in this situation were not listened or cared for, except with routine postpartum care. This shortcoming notwithstanding, the mental health of these women is affected from the beginning of the pregnancy. Thus, the family and social contexts become important for promoting discussions on the health practices and representations that Zika entails...
Source: Cadernos de Saude Publica - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Tags: Cad Saude Publica Source Type: research