Sr. Schuler et al., MISINFORMATION, MISTRUST, AND MISTREATMENT - FAMILY-PLANNING AMONG BOLIVIAN MARKET WOMEN, Studies in family planning, 25(4), 1994, pp. 211-221
Results of an ethnographic study suggest that, despite stereotypes to
the contrary, urban Aymara women in Bolivia want to regulate their fer
tility, and sociocultural norms support fertility regulation. However,
the norms also make such regulation difficult to achieve. One barrier
is a deep suspicion of modern medicine and medical practitioners, who
are not seen as reliable sources of information. This suspicion is re
inforced when the quality of health services is inadequate. Among urba
n Aymara, the level of acceptability of most modern methods of contrac
eption is low. Many would prefer to use traditional methods, even when
use of these methods entails considerable sacrifice and risk of confl
ict with their partners, unwanted pregnancies, and recourse to unsafe
abortion.