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“No Man Is an Island”: Perspectives of CHamorus in Guam on COVID‐19
Author(s) -
JooCastro Lucy,
Emerson Amanda
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
public health nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.471
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1525-1446
pISSN - 0737-1209
DOI - 10.1111/phn.13018
Subject(s) - thematic analysis , indigenous , government (linguistics) , distancing , social distance , sociology , population , psychology , covid-19 , geography , social psychology , gerontology , qualitative research , medicine , social science , demography , ecology , linguistics , philosophy , disease , pathology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , biology
Objectives Guam is a United States territory situated in the western Pacific Ocean with a multiethnic population numbering approximately 168,000. The CHamorus, who are the Indigenous people of Guam, make up 37%. In this study, we sought to explore CHamorus’ perspectives on and experiences of COVID‐19. Design Interviews were conducted with 10 CHamoru adults in June‐July 2020 via telephone for a larger study on understanding how the collective history of the CHamoru people is perceived relative to contemporary health beliefs and practices. This study is a secondary data analysis of questions that focused on COVID‐19. We used thematic analysis techniques to analyze the data. Results Three themes were identified: self and other , or “no man is an island” ; trust in government ; and focusing on the positives . A cross‐cutting theme was commitment to the common welfare of the community through interconnectedness and inafa'maolek (doing good for others). Conclusion Results indicated that CHamorus recognized a balance between community and individual, the need to protect the vulnerable while also considering personal choice, and the implications of enforced social distancing on community and economic stability.