Self-care practices and cultural knowledge among women affected by scalping injuries in the Amazon

Abstract

Objective: To understand the self-care practices and sociocultural knowledge constructed by women affected by scalping injuries in the Amazon during rehabilitation. Methods: Qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive study conducted with eight women followed by referral services in Belém, Pará, Brazil. Data were collected in June and July 2026 through individual interviews using a semi-structured guide, audio-recorded and fully transcribed. The material was submitted to Thematic Content Analysis. Results: Self-care was constructed through the interaction of bodily experiences, professional guidance, shared knowledge, and sociocultural understandings. Four themes emerged: the body as a source of knowledge and surveillance; territory and adaptation of daily life; food, “reima,” and negotiation of knowledge; and circulation of knowledge in the construction of self-care. The relationship with rivers and food classifications revealed tensions between recommendations, bodily experience, and Amazonian ways of life. Conclusion: Self-care after scalping injury involves continuous processes of interpretation and negotiation among body, culture, territory, and healthcare, indicating the need for individualized and culturally sensitive guidance. The findings reflect the experiences of eight women linked to referral services and should be understood within this context.