Reproductive Medicine in Northwest Argentina: Traditional and Institutional Systems
Author Information
Author(s): Norma I Hilgert, Guillermo E Gil
Primary Institution: Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico, Universidad Nacional de Misiones, CONICET
Hypothesis
How do traditional and institutional medical systems interact in the context of reproductive health in Northwest Argentina?
Conclusion
Local reproductive medicine practices focus on maintaining a hot/cold balance, with significant reliance on medicinal plants, but there is a lack of agreement among families on their use.
Supporting Evidence
- Local populations use 108 ethnospecies for reproductive medicine.
- The more accessible the health center, the more women attend it.
- Medicinal plants play a significant role in local reproductive health practices.
- Traditional practices often conflict with institutional medical recommendations.
Takeaway
In Northwest Argentina, people use plants to help with pregnancy and childbirth, and they believe that keeping a balance of hot and cold is very important for health.
Methodology
The study involved 59 surveys conducted with 40 interviewees using a semi-structured questionnaire to gather data on medicinal plants and reproductive health practices.
Potential Biases
Potential biases may arise from the reliance on self-reported data and the subjective nature of traditional practices.
Limitations
The study may not fully capture the diversity of practices across all communities due to the limited sample size and focus on specific areas.
Participant Demographics
Participants were from rural communities in the Yungas biome of Northwest Argentina, primarily descendants of Quechuan communities.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website