Abstract

HERNANDEZ SANTANA, Adriana. Epistemological paradigm in the public health care for the native peoples of Honduras. Rev Cubana Salud Pública [online]. 2013, vol.39, n.1, pp. 154-160. ISSN 0864-3466.

The ethnographic interpretation dates back many centuries ago, but it is in the 20th century when, with the advent of the logical neopositivism, it is inserted in the qualitative paradigm, changes the positivist conception and incorporates the analysis of qualitative aspects based on the behaviors of individuals, of their social relationships and on the interactions with the historical context. The objective of this paper was to highlight the epistemological paradigm prevailing in the health care service to the native peoples of Honduras. The intercultural aspects involve the contact between cultures, the understanding of diversity, the exchange, the communication, the learning, the transformation and the need of building bridges among cultures. Regarding health, it involves an intra and intersectorial work directed to the comprehensive welfare of the individual and of the community, with the aim of empowering it so that it could advance in the consolidation and development. Recently, the topic of health research, in line with the positivist model, has focused in the understanding of the medical practice of the native peoples. The Ministry of Health of Honduras has recognized the need of understanding the native cultural context, although the process of formation of the health staff in the correct understanding of the application of the intercultural elements is still strengthening. These terms could not have been inserted yet in the daily work of this staff and they required to be turned into a fundamental pillar, particularly in the areas with a lot of native population, in order to reduce inequities.

Keywords : epistemology; health; native peoples; intercultural elements.

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