Cultural understandings of health and ill health: A comparative study of Ukrainian and Danish females

The purpose of this study is to identify and compare cultural differences in meanings associated with “health” and “ill health” between females with lower socio-economic status in Ukraine and in Denmark where socio-economic status includes three components: highest level of education attained, income and occupation. To our knowledge, this study has not been undertaken before. By focusing on the meanings associated with health and ill health in these two countries, we hope to reveal culture-specific meanings that underpin health and ill health and experiences of these, as well as identify culture-specific health-related behaviors, and cultural practices aimed at restoring health. The contrastive element of this study can help to place any cultural differences and similarities in understandings of health and ill health between these two countries into sharper relief.