The process of seeking and undergoing surgical contraception: an ethnographic study in a Brazilian community

The purpose of this research is to describe the process of seeking and undergoing surgical contraception by women of a low-income community in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The ethnonursing research method was followed and data were collected with seven key and 11 general informants. The three cultural categories described (a) the difficulties women encountered with nonsurgical contraceptive methods, (b) the obstacles and barriers to obtaining surgical contraception for low-income women, and (c) beliefs and values of and about women who have undergone tubal ligation procedures. The cultural theme was that "being operada was the realization of a great dream." Leininger's sunrise model provided a framework for the discussion of the findings and implications for socially and culturally congruent nursing care.