Objective:
To know the health care practices developed by a rural community settled in the northwest area of Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil.
Methods:
Ethnographical based qualitative research, with the use of the Observation-Participation-Reflection Model, and semi structured interviews. Data analysis was performed based on the ethno-nursing analysis guide.
Results:
It was established that care is culturally defined, and it means protection, both in generic and professional care systems. As to generic care, protection becomes a families' survival tool; in professional care, it means support and assistance actions, aiming to improve families' welfares.
Conclusion:
It is evidenced that health care practices articulate both popular and professional care systems, pointing to a necessary knowledge approximation to allow nursing to accomplish a kind of care which is congruent with culture.
Nursing; Culture; Nursing care; Rural settlements