The purpose of this descriptive, exploratory study was to examine the content and context of nursing practice in Primary Health Care. The activities of 14 indigenous nurses who carried out a nine-month community mobilization project on Nigeria were analyzed through participant observation, reviews of nursing records, interivews, and a questionnaire. The project was part of a continuing education program sponsored by the International Council of Nurses, the United Nations Children's Fund, and the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives.

The village in which the project occurred had a population of 2,994 persons in 693 family units. A stratified random sample of 128 family records was used to enumerate nursing activities in the village. The nurses made 666 visits to and identified 625 problems in the sample families. The major problems were environmental, physiological, and reproductive. The nurses recorded 1218 interventions in the sample families; education, support, and referral were predominant.

Community problems were associated with the environment, lack of support services and lack of knowledge. Interventions to meet these needs were the recruitment of influence, intersectorial linkages, and community mobilization and education. The fundamental nurse roles were as connections for services and information, and sources of support.

Family problems with strong social and cultural definitions showed the least improvement during the project, but 77.5% of all problems resolved or improved. Improvement in community problems was also noted.

The conceptual model was useful in elaborating the social, political, cultural, religious, and environmental influences on health and nursing care. Despite obstacles, the activities of the nurses made a visible difference in the community.

ftn *This research was supported by National Research and Service Award, Number 1-F31-NR06055-01, from the National Center for Nursing Research, United States Public Health Service; by University of California, San Francisco, Patent Funds; and by a grant from the University of California, San Francisco, School of Nursing Century Club.