Familismo: influence on Hispanic health behaviors

This study explored the impact of hepatitis C infection among a convenience sample of adult Hispanic men and women. Data were collected through a demographic form and audiotaped responses to a vignette. Krueger's transcription-based focus group method of analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data. The major theme, familismo (importance of family), emerged from the data with individual health behavior defined by family needs and expressed by "doing right" by the family. Therefore, health promotion and disease treatment framed within a "healthy family" philosophy and health intervention message may be more culturally acceptable and effective among Hispanic populations.