In the 16th century, the first gypsies came to Sweden. About 1000 years ago, gypsies moved westward from India, and in the 14th century they inhabited several countries in the Balkans. Their language ‘Romany’ is similar to Sanskrit, and genetic similarities exist between gypsies and Indians from the Punjab. 3 By the 19th century, the theory of an Indian origin emerged. 1, 2Ī number of countries of origin have been attributed to gypsies.

The gypsy people are associated with a high rate of criminality, and they constitute one of the few ethnic groups which has not adapted to society in general. At the same time, gypsies are often labelled as causing social problems. In literature, opera and film, gypsies are often linked to freedom and a mysterious way of living, and they are supposed to be some kind of masters of romance. Health, attitude to care and pattern of attendance among gypsy women-a general practice perspective. Young women were especially vulnerable and could easily end up outside the collective and display symptoms.Īttitude to care, collective pattern, gypsy, health, primary care A collective pattern, a hierarchical order and a strict rule system characterized the gypsy life and coloured the relation to health and illness. The symptoms had an acute character and the women wanted immediate access. The women usually presented the same type of symptoms, often pain, headache and depression, and obtained the same type of diagnosis and treatment. The gypsy women seldom approached the health centre alone but paid a visit together with relatives or friends. Additional facts were received from record files. Data were analysed according to grounded theory. Four gypsy women, frequently attending a primary health care centre, were interviewed in depth.

The aim of this study was to explore the reasons for and patterns of attendance among gypsy women in primary health care and to shed light on health problems of gypsies. There is a lack of knowledge about health and attitude to care among gypsies.

Big gpsy women