Medina Maldonado, Venus ElizabethUrgilés Vallejo, Inés Patricia2023-11-042023-11-042019-040124-0064https://doi.org/10.15446/rsap.V21n2.75363https://repositorio.puce.edu.ec/handle/123456789/4983https://scielosp.org/pdf/rsap/2019.v21n2/251-257/enObjective: To explore the meaning of beliefs and practices related to family functioning and health care in a Venezuelan indigenous group. Materials and Methods: A qualitative research study was conducted using a focused-ethnography (FE) method. The techniques implemented during data collection were focus group and observer-as-participant. Twenty-seven people distributed into four groups were included in the study. The qualitative content analysis method was selected for the interpretation stage. Results: The most significant findings revealed that Jivi people's customs were mixed with modern practices. Cultural practices such as maternity and childbirth are processes in which the formal healthcare system has a secondary role. Moreover, participants showed flexibility in terms of responsibilities without association to sex. Conclusion: Training of human resources with an intercultural approach is a measure that could strengthen the practices of ethnic groups in terms of healthcare.enOpenAccessIndígenasEnfermeríaSalud públicaMedicina socialIndígenasEnfermeríaSalud públicaMedicina social