This research has proposes to identify the first courses of conduct adopted by clients before they look to health services and to evidence changes of behavior according to popular beliefs related to prevention and cure of diseases after professional orientation. This is a qualitative, descriptive, and explorative study developed in Goiânia - GO, Brazil. The data was collected using individual interviews with users of the three services of the National Health Care System (Sistema Único de Saúde). It was detected that before seeking the health service the clients use popular resources such as home-made teas, "blessings", baths, and plasters for prevention and treatment of diseases. The data evidence the determination of this people to not abandon popular practices, even when faced with the orientation of the health professional, due to their belief in the efficiency of popular remedies. We conclude that changing popular habits related to health is a difficult process and it is necessary to respect the traditions and opinions of the user in establishing conduct and treatment.
Culture; Traditional medicine; Primary health care