Seeking and Utilizing a Curandero in the United States

Abstract

Utilization of a curandero among the U.S. Hispanics was the focus of only four nursing articles on the practice of curanderos, but these did not address nursing implications. Knowledge of Hispanic folk illnesses and treatments is important in providing culturally appropriate holistic care. Furthermore, patient disclosure about the use of curanderos and folk remedies given may be critical to Western medical providers and the treatments they give.

Latina Women and Cervical Cancer Screening: Decisional Balance and Self-Efficacy

“…Those who lack legal residency are not eligible for assistant programs to receive free or low-cost Pap smears. This observation is also consistent with the use of curanderos identified in the barriers section; women use curanderos because they are affordable, work in the same neighborhoods where Latinas live, and are available for undocumented Latinas who are not eligible for public programs (Favazza Titus, 2013).…”

“…These results suggest that Latina women may have delayed or missed screening and treatment opportunities for cervical cancer and other health problems. Curanderos bring a complementary aspect of holistic care through the practice of traditional medicine, such as herbalism, prayer, and massage (Favazza Titus, 2013). Curanderos are perceived as experts in Latino cultural practices, which make patients feel comfortable (Favazza Titus, 2013).…”

Hispanic Parental Beliefs and Practices in the Management of Common Childhood Illnesses: A Review of the Literature

“…Parents in rural settings used folk healers primarily due to lack of access to health care facilities and healer familiarity with Hispanic cultural values. This finding is echoed by other studies which found the affordability of folk healers and their ability to speak Spanish, as primary reasons for seeking their care (Favazza Titus, 2013;Ransford et al, 2010;Sandberg et al, 2018). Lack of health care provider familiarity with Hispanic culture and perceived discrimination were also significant barriers reported by parents.…”

Culture-bound syndromes in migratory contexts: the case of Bolivian immigrants

“…In the registered case, the Spanish healer is not part of the cultural environment in which the patient was socialized, but shares with the jampiris the use of the word as a basic element of the ritual healing and references of some representations proper to their original contexts (Jesus Christ, Saints and Virgin Mary). These elements seem to be sufficient for the therapy to be recognized as effective and so that in the destination countries, these immigrants continue to seek ritual healing 24 , even though it does not have the same characteristics as in their original contexts. This shows us the flexibility of our schemes in conceptualizing, explaining and treating a health condition 25 .…”