[The construction of a sociocultural epidemiological profile of a rural community]

This study combines two methodological approaches in order to assess morbidity just as it is conceived by the population: the first approach--an anthropological perspective--is a qualitative study of focal groups; the second approach is a sociological study that draws upon participatory research proposals, and intends to related academic interest with the concerns that arise in the population. This research work was conducted with the Health Commission of the main peasant organization in the zone, as part of a health education program working with female peasants who also participated in an ethnobotanical participatory study and in health workshops. The information produced by these women in the two analytical space aforementioned, allowed the indirect conformation of a sociocultural morbidity profile for the zone. Participatory research, focal groups and ethnobotanical studies are useful in the characterization of an epidemiological profile of the sociocultural nature of diseases. In order to conform a synthetic epidemiology, it is necessary to take into account these diseases as health problems that generate poor performance at work, suffering and that deserve to be considered in local health systems (SILOS).