Women in the ‘developing world’ and their perceptions of health: an area for examination by the nurse from the ‘developed world'

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to consider how nurses from the 'developed world', in this instance Great Britain, may assist women from the 'developing world', specifically from Pakistan, to meet their and others' health needs. To explore nurses' understanding of women from Pakistan and its translation into delivery of nursing care, a number of topics require exploration. These include culture, health, origins of Pakistani women who have settled in Britain, clarification of the geographical area under discussion and a brief introduction to two studies that have investigated the health beliefs of communities in Pakistan, in particular the health beliefs of women. Appreciation of studies that illustrate women's beliefs about health can provide a basis upon which further examination can take place. Ideas can then be assimilated into a framework for nursing care centred around anthropological and holistic approaches to women from Pakistan. The outcome of this should be an examination of women's beliefs within a cultural context in relation to nursing care and management.