Abstract
Objective:
Describe the knowledge and practices of clients in wound care.
Methods:
A qualitative descriptive study of the ethnographic nature was performed from January to May 2014, including 20 clients with some type of wound in an outpatient clinic for wound care of a Primary Health Unit in the city of Niteroi, Southeastern Brazil. Data were collected through participant observation and semi-structured interviews and subsequently subjected to content analysis.
Results:
The category defined as "knowledge and practices of customers" emphasized the history and development of wounds, the dependence on care provided by health care professionals and the use of allopathic and popular practices originated from information obtained with family members and individuals who share their lives with clients.
Conclusion:
To identify knowledge and practices of clients in wound care allows the development of cultural care and promotes the preparation of a health care plan which is coherent with their culture, enabling them to be more participatory in the process of care and caring for themselves.
Keywords:
Nursing; Wounds and Injuries; Plants, Medicinal; Culture; Primary Health Care