In their own words: nurses’ discourses of cleanliness from the Rehoboth Mission

Abstract

For nurses of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, cleanliness was often seen as a virtue next to godliness. For missionary nurses, this analogy took on multiple meanings. This study focuses on discourses of cleanliness at one site of missionary nursing in the early twentieth century: the Rehoboth Mission and its hospital, which provided health-care to the Navajo in the southwestern USA from 1903 to 1965. Data sources included denominational publications, institutional records, correspondence, questionnaires and interviews of the Dutch-American missionary nurses who practiced at the Rehoboth Mission. Discourse analysis was conducted on references to cleanliness, hygiene and sanitation in these texts. Secondary discourses of embodiment in daily practice, initiation and assimilation, caring, ignorance, environmental factors and gendered work were identified and analyzed. The study interrogates the whiteness of the nurses' dominant culture and sheds light on nurses' relationships with normative discursive frames that reflect and perpetuate inequalities, discredit non-dominant practices, and leave little room for competing discourses. It also illustrates a blurring of religion and health-care, and the need for a reflective and informed stance as a basis for cultural competence.

Beyond Adherence

“…Researchers have used Photovoice to examine a variety of health issues related to physical and social environments (Bukowski & Buetow, 2011; Mahmood et al, 2012; Rhodes et al, 2008), health behaviors (Duffy, 2010; Hennessy et al, 2010; Valera et al, 2009), and the prevention and management of specific health conditions (Fitzpatrick et al, 2012; Kubicek et al, 2012). The studies in which researchers have used Photovoice to explore cancer disparities tend to focus on cancer survivorship (Lopez et al, 2005; Mosavel & Sanders, 2010; Yi & Zebrack, 2010), with very limited studies of treatment (Poudrier & Mac-Lean, 2009) or screening (Thomas et al, 2013). …”

Racism Experiences of Urban Indigenous Women in Ontario, Canada: “We All Have That Story That Will Break Your Heart”

“…The intergenerational impact of colonialism through cultural racism has a crucial impact on these women's life stories as they navigate systemic barriers. Racism research regarding Indigenous women in Canada has largely focused on health status, particularly health service access, through qualitative research (Allan & Smylie, 2015;Browne, 2017;Browne & Fiske, 2001;Denison et al, 2014;Poudrier & Mac-Lean, 2009;Varcoe et al, 2013;Vukic et al, 2012). There has been limited use of quantitative research tools, such as validated racism scales.…”

“…In another study, Indigenous women completing breast cancer treatment believed that the absence of their traditional beliefs and recognition of Indigenous identity within health services made it difficult to address racism (Poudrier & Mac-Lean, 2009). In addition to Indigenous health seekers, Indigenous health service providers experience racism.…”

‘Where to now?’ Understanding the landscape of health and social services for homeless women in London, Ontario, Canada

“…In the last decade, PhotoVoice has become an increasingly popular qualitative research method, usually employing phenomenology, grounded theory, or participatory action research designs with a priority to create social change (Evans-Agnew & Rosemberg, 2016;Hergenrather et al, 2009). For populations such as homeless women who may experience marginalization, PhotoVoice is becoming increasingly adopted as a participatory method (Evans-Agnew & Rosemberg, 2016), with the intent to facilitate partnership and co-learning among participants, researchers, and communities (Fortin, Jackson, Maher, & Moravac, 2014;Poudrier & Mac-Lean, 2009;Rhodes & Benfield, 2006;Walsh, Rutherford, & Kuzmak, 2010). This project utilized methods of Wang and Burris (1997) adapted to a critical feminist intersectional lens, with arts-informed methods to facilitate participatory dialogue around the photographs (Fortin et al, 2014;Hergenrather et al, 2009).…”