IMPLICAÇÕES CULTURAIS NO PLANEJAMENTO FAMILIAR E QUALIDADE DE VIDA DA MULHER/FAMÍLIA E A TEORIA DE LEININGER

Qualitative research which utilized the exploratory-descriptive method and had as its study cultural implications in family planning, their interface with women’s and families’ quality of life, and Leininger’s Theory. Objectives were to investigate knowledge, facilities and difficulties in implanting family planning strategies and to delineate the cultural implications of contraceptive actions adopted and their interface with the quality of life of the woman and family. Data collection was via semi-structured interviews with 20 women, between August and October 2008. Thematic content analysis pointed to cultural aspects as heavily in evidence in family planning, which indicates that the diverse family configurations have their own way of living and administrating concepts of health care. The patterns of care developed by Leininger, such as preserving, accommodating or restandardizing, provide reflection, consciousness raising and respect to the values and beliefs of the woman and/or family.