Meanings of folk and professional health care experienced by Guatemalan Mayans in southeast Florida

In the 1980s civil unrest in Guatemala forced many Mayans to flee their native land for Southeast Florida. Their rich cultural heritage has long been a source of wonder to anthropologists and tourists traveling into Mexico and Guatemala, yet little is known about their experiences of daily life and caring practices when they arrive in the United States. This study used Leininger's theory, Culture Care Diversity and Universality, and ethnonursing method to discover Mayan folk care practices and their relationship to professional care. Sixteen universal and four diverse themes were discovered. The struggle to preserve cultural identity while finding ways to be part of a new culture was an important theme. The use of healers, herbal medicines, rituals and unregulated injections were accepted practices within the community. Professional health care along with folk care practices were often used simultaneously. The processes of acculturation, enculturation, and marginalization influence caring modalities as well as contribute to the Guatemalan Mayan contribution to the South Florida Cultural Mosaic.