Background & Aims

The Amazon Region has one of the largest indigenous populations in the world. In Brazil, 403.3 thousand indigenous people live in the Amazon, encompassing 305 ethnicities and 274 languages. These indigenous peoples, vulnerable in remote areas, face significant healthcare access challenges. Pain, often underreported and undertreated, is more neglected among these groups, with limited knowledge about its experience and management. This study aims to address this critical gap, exploring the characteristics and cultural aspects of pain management in different Amazonian ethnicities. Focusing on treatment approaches, cultural perceptions of pain, and their impact on quality of life and care strategies, the study intends to expand knowledge about this population to guide effective, culturally sensitive interventions, enhancing healthcare and well-being for these communities.

Methods

The study is an integrative literature review, which sought to synthesize and analyze publications on pain management in indigenous populations. The research was conducted in the PubMed and Google Scholar databases, using the keyword ‘indigenous pain’. The search process was limited to articles written in English and Spanish, published between 2018 and 2023. Initially, 20 articles were identified as potentially relevant. After reading the full texts, 14 articles were selected for detailed analysis. The inclusion criteria analyzed were: studies that directly addressed pain in indigenous populations, studies focusing on pain management practices, and studies that offered insights into cultural perceptions of pain in these communities. Articles not directly related to the central theme were excluded. The analysis of the selected articles was carried out to extract relevant information about pain management practices, cultural perceptions, and the challenges faced by these populations.

Results

Based on the articles, various studies highlight unique characteristics in pain perception and management in indigenous populations. In indigenous populations of the Brazilian Amazon, a prevalence of musculoskeletal pain was observed, which is higher than in the non-indigenous population, mainly due to lifestyle. Additionally, it was found that men talk more about pain, owing to the social roles of indigenous women. Studies also revealed difficulties in assessments to adequately capture the indigenous perception of pain, primarily due to language barriers. In several studies, it was noted that pain adversely affects mood, daily activities, and sleep. Among the elderly population, the quality of life and perception of pain were significantly influenced by demographic and social factors. It was observed that traditional indigenous medicine along with rest are the primary means of alleviating pain, highlighting the importance of cultural context in pain management.

Conclusions

Therefore, pain in the indigenous population of the Brazilian Amazon has unique characteristics in perception and management. There is a prevalence of musculoskeletal pain, with different prevalence between genders, associated with lifestyle and exacerbated by linguistic barriers, which hinder clear understanding of pain perception in the indigenous community by healthcare professionals. Moreover, pain negatively influences daily activities, sleep, and mood among indigenous people. Additionally, there is a lack of studies, data, and epidemiology on Indigenous Health, which hampers a better approach to this population. From this, an urgent need arises to adapt pain perception assessment tools to develop a culturally competent and effective framework for the treatment and management of indigenous pain.

References

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Presenting Author

Lucas Wanderley Moreira Marques

Poster Authors

Lucas Marques

Medical Student

FAMETRO

Lead Author

Letícia Zortéa Medical Student

fametro

Lead Author

Topics

  • Assessment and Diagnosis