Donde hay doctor?: Folk and cosmopolitan medicine for sexual health among Chilean women living in Australia

This paper discusses sexual health strategies among Chilean women living in Melbourne, Australia. Twenty in-depth qualitative interviews and a survey questionnaire were administered to 100 Chilean-born women. Findings illustrate the importance of 'authority' when it comes to 'socially risky' illnesses like sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Women stressed that western trained doctors are the only answer for STDs and the only way women can protect themselves from getting STDs is by visiting the doctor. The western trained doctor is seen to have the authority and legitimacy to treat the disease and heal the social relationships threatened by STDs. Chilean women continue to value the importance of alternative medicine within the array of health and medical seeking behaviours, although their use has shifted from the traditional Latin American folk healer to the Chinese doctor, herbalist and other alternative medical practitioners, including naturopaths. We conclude by arguing that while traditional medicines are still widely used by the Chilean migrant community, when it comes to 'socially risky' conditions such as STDs, western trained doctors, because of their conferred power, authority and social legitimacy, are key figures for prevention and treatment.