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The pattern of offering ritual fluids (agüitas) to infants and toddlers in the Guatemalan highlands in metropolitan Quetzaltenango
Author(s) -
Doak Colleen M,
Staare Robine,
Beukoms Ilse,
Campos Maiza,
Vossenaar Marieke,
Solomons Noel W
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.828.6
Subject(s) - ethnic group , logistic regression , medicine , diarrhea , demography , population , metropolitan area , pediatrics , environmental health , pathology , sociology , anthropology
Background In many cultures, simple herbal infusions, thin gruels or sweetened water (‘ agüitas ’ in Guatemalan parlance) are given to infants and toddlers. Objective To examine the prevalence and timing of introduction of agüitas during early life in a low‐income population of metropolitan Quetzaltenango. Methods 452 responses about ever introduction of agüitas through ages 5 to 23 mo were analyzed using logistic regression to explore relationships between growth (stunting) and morbidity (diarrheal and respiratory infection) and timing of first consuming agüitas . Results For 452 dyads, 354 (78%) were agüitas ‐users, independent of sex or ethnicity. Of those given agüitas , half were introduced within the first 2 mo. These subjects were 1.6 times more likely to be stunted (CI=1.0, 2.5) after adjusting for ethnicity. Early introduction of agüitas was strongly associated with more reported instances of diarrhea (OR=3.4; CI=2.1, 5.4) and respiratory infections OR=2.5 (CI=1.6,4.0), irrespective of ethnicity. Conclusion The high prevalence and early introduction of agüitas are consistent with other findings showing agüitas to be deeply rooted in the culture of infant rearing. Understanding these associations requires an in‐depth understanding of the meaning and use of agüitas . Funded by the Nestlé Foundation and Sight and Life, Switzerland