Cultural and geographical barriers often prevent Nicaragua’s indigenous women from taking advantage of maternity services – few health staff speak their languages and a traditional birth hasn’t been possible at health facilities.
Health Poverty Action is working with both Traditional Birth Attendants and local health staff to provide medical care that suits the women’s medical needs and cultural sensitivities.
Changing habits
In the past, the indigenous Miskitu and Sumo-Mayagna women of Nicaragua have given birth at home without skilled assistance – at a greater risk to themselves and their babies.
For the first time, this project promises to provide for the cultural needs of these women. More than 4,000 women are benefiting as a result each year, including around 500 pregnant women and their babies.
This project:
- Equips Traditional Birth Attendants with knowledge and medical supplies
- Helps local health workers learn how to provide culturally sensitive care
- Educates indigenous women about their health
- Encourages them to take advantage of facilities.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, this project aims to replicate this culturally sensitive model of maternity care elsewhere in Nicaragua.
We are raising awareness among Traditional Birth Attendants about practices which can sometimes be harmful, such as massaging the stomach to change the baby’s position, which can lead to the umbilical cord strangling the newborn.
As a result of the project, women are becoming more aware of the availability of services and are happier to use them:
“I’m not scared about my upcoming birth, because a Traditional Birth Attendant is going to attend to me, with the nurse.
I want to have this baby here at the health post, because the conditions at the health post are better than at home, and it’s safer here. If there are any complications during this birth, I would definitely go to hospital.”
Ultimately, more indigenous women are feeling comfortable using formal health services to give birth, reducing the risks for mother and baby.
Last modified: 28/06/2011
