Assessment of Maya women’s knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs on sexually transmitted infections in Guatemala: a qualitative pilot study

Abstract

Background Despite Guatemala’s large indigenous population, indigenous health is often neglected in reported health data and interventions. Although this data is limited in scope, it shows that indigenous people have poorer health outcomes. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are now a growing threat in Guatemala and pose great risk to the wellbeing of its indigenous population. Methods This qualitative pilot study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of STIs through semi-structured interviews among a previously unstudied population of indigenous Maya women (n = 35, ages 18–50) in the six municipalities of Santa Cruz La Laguna, Guatemala. Results Four key themes were identified: 1) indigenous Maya women have limited factual knowledge about sex and STIs; 2) widespread partner infidelity minimizes women’s control over preventing STI contraction; 3) close-knit communities and the resulting heightened fear of gossip prevents communication and hinders care seeking; and 4) lack of quality medical care and inaccessibility of biomedical healthcare systems pose barriers to seeking care for potential STIs. Conclusions To address these findings, we suggest methods to improve sexual education, combat male infidelity, promote condom use, and improve health services to reduce the incidence of STIs in Maya Guatemala.

Análise da assistência em infecções sexualmente transmissíveis na atenção primária

“…Então, aspectos relativos à moradia juntamente com outros aspectos como raça, etnia, escolaridade, renda, gênero proporciona uma suscetibilidade às IST. Um estudo realizado com mulheres na Guatemala, país marcado por desigualdades socioeconômicas, demográficas e culturais e pela crescente incidência de IST, afirmou que o estigma da comunidade na qual elas vivem, a falta de promoção da educação em saúde, as situações maritais e a ausência do uso de preservativos nas relações sexuais, a ausência de acessibilidade aos serviços de saúde explicam o porquê da existência do risco elevado em contrair IST nas mulheres dessa localidade (Tasnim, et al, 2020).…”