Adolescents’ perceptions of traditional “mapacho” tobacco in Pucallpa: emerging findings from a qualitative study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20453/renh.v19i1.7644Keywords:
adolescent, tobacco use disorder, traditional medicine, interculturality, PeruAbstract
Objective: To analyze the perceptions of school-aged adolescents in Pucallpa regarding the traditional tobacco “mapacho” (Nicotiana rustica), based on findings from a qualitative study on manufactured cigarettes. Materials and methods: Qualitative research conducted between June 2023 and May 2024 in two public schools in Pucallpa, in the Amazon region of Peru. The sample consisted of 38 adolescents aged 12 to 17, divided into four focus groups segmented by sex and age. Data were processed using reflective thematic analysis with the support of NVivo 14 software. Results: Two main categories related to perceptions of mapacho use were identified: its cultural and protective uses, and its harmful effects. Participants linked the product to traditional practices, spiritual protection, and activities such as fishing and rural work. While they recognized its potential health risks, a considerable portion perceived it as less harmful than industrial tobacco due to its “natural” and artisanal origin; conversely, others considered it more harmful because of its sensory intensity. Conclusions: Mapacho plays a central and ambivalent role in the perceptions of Amazonian adolescents, linking protective cultural meanings with underestimated health risks. Regional preventive strategies must incorporate nursing-led intercultural approaches aimed at clarifying beliefs regarding the supposed harmlessness of traditional products.
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