Chagas, Risk and Health Seeking among Bolivian Women in Catalonia

Med Anthropol. 2021 Aug-Sep;40(6):541-556. doi: 10.1080/01459740.2020.1718125. Epub 2020 Feb 14.

Abstract

In this article, we explore relationships between risk and emotions among Bolivian women living with Chagas disease, and the implications of this for their diagnosis and treatment in Catalonia, Spain. Here, risk is a social phenomenon, while emotions are conceived as embedded in the sociocultural and relational world. Emotions play key risk-related roles as both a cause and consequence of Chagas disease, are the basis of health practices, and allow us to link risk to wider social inequalities. The way we conceive emotions is crucial both theorically and practically.

Keywords: Bolivia; Cataluña; Chagas; Chagas disease; emociones; emotions; health seeking processes; migrant women; mujeres migrantes bolivianas; procesos asistenciales; riesgo; risk.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anthropology, Medical
  • Bolivia / ethnology
  • Chagas Disease* / ethnology
  • Chagas Disease* / psychology
  • Emigrants and Immigrants / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care* / ethnology
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care* / psychology
  • Risk Factors