Challenges in Access to Intercultural Births in Primary Health Care, Ecuador

Abstract

Maternal mortality is a clear indicator of the gender inequity, social injustice and poverty suffered by our women in the region. It is no coincidence that the highest maternal death rates are found among poor, indigenous, Afro-Ecuadorian, rural and urban-marginalized groups of women. Objective: to analyze a case study based on the limited access to intercultural deliveries in type C health centers in primary health care. Methodology: Descriptive, prospective, Inductive-Deductive, Analytical-Synthetic. Technique: Direct and indirect observation guide. Instrument: Survey and indirect observation matrix. Results: Causes of women's non-attendance at the health center: In the nearest health institution they do practices that the pregnant women do not like (89%), first birth or acquaintances did not apply intercultural childbirth (77%); causes of inequality in intercultural childbirth: 100% report that inequality begins with the lack of cultural competencies of health personnel attending, lack of intercultural support programs and limited access to information and education on maternal health; Causes of the most frequent Morbidity/mortality in maternal infant: 49% the staff's failure to assist the pregnant woman through intercultural childbirth, 27% would indicate reporting pneumonia, 22% perinatal asphyxia. Conclusion: to conclude, it has been analyzed that the problem of limitations to maternal/infant access is in a critical phase, because in Ecuador there is a large percentage of the population that practices these cultures and they should be respected.