Cultura popular e cuidado em saúde: práticas de benzeção em territórios atendidos por equipes Saúde da Família

Benzeção is an integral part of Brazilian culture and religiosity. The aim of this study was to understand how the practice of benzeção impacts the health-disease-care process in territories served by the Family Health Strategy in a municipality in Minas Gerais and explore primary care workers' attitudes towards the practice. We conducted a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews to capture the perceptions of benzedeiras, patients and nurses. The content of the interviews was analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis, drawing on Pierre Bourdieu's theory of conflict between fields of knowledge. The following categories were identified: representations of practice; health and religiosity/spirituality; relationship with benzeção. The relationship between the fields is not just one of conflict. The findings show that the openness of the subjects involved in the fields have placed the latter in communication. Thus, while biomedical knowledge and the knowledge of benzeção are different and fulfill specific functions, they can be used in combination in the health-disease-care process.