This exploratory field study investigated concepts of health and illness and related behaviors among families living in a Brazilian fishing village. The primary purpose was to delineate patterns of family care in a cultural context. The investigator lived in the village approximately six months collecting data by participant observation and in-depth case studies. The sample comprised twenty-two families at the school-age stage, who were followed for 1 1/2 months to 3 1/2 months.

The results indicate that families have models, rooted in their culture, that guide them in assessing the health status of their members, selecting preventive behaviors, and deciding about the types of treatment needed. The Brazilian families' models differ from those of health professionals and are characterized by both personalistic and naturalistic theories of health and illness. Preventive and curative modalities employed by families are consistent with these conceptualizations, which utilize sources of natural and supernatural origins. Although the families do not include principles of scientific medicine in their models, they do frequent health clinics for prevention and treatment. However, this utilization is selective and pragmatic, with earlier community and family experiences with the system being key factors in determining acceptance or not.