Health of riverine populations in the Amazon river: an ethnographic approach based on the experience of a clinic boat

Abstract

Objective: To analyze perceptions of health, illness, and care practices among riverine populations of the Amazon River. Methods: This is a qualitative study with an ethnographic approach, conducted based on the perceptions of riverine populations in the context of healthcare outreach trips carried out by the Central Brasil Missões clinic boat. Data collection involved participant observation, field notes, and conversation circles. Data categorization was performed using IRaMuTeQ software, with analysis grounded in Collective Health and in dialogue with medical anthropology. The study was approved by a Research Ethics Committee. Results: The experience of care revealed that treatment extends beyond the biomedical dimension, establishing a dialogue with traditional knowledge. This form of care is strengthened by affective bonds, territoriality, and cultural strategies for coping with illness. Conclusion: Achieving comprehensive healthcare for this population requires not only adequate human and material resources but also a continuous dialogue with symbolic and relational dimensions inherent to Amazonian sociocultural contexts.