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Local concepts of infant illness among Mam‐Mayan women and impact on feeding practices: a qualitative study in the Western Highlands of Guatemala
Author(s) -
Kincaid Mariah,
Bermudez Odilia I.,
Chomat Anne Marie,
Escobar Marta,
Garcia Maria,
Garcia Rosario,
Scott Marilyn E.,
Koski Kristine G.,
Solomons Noel W.
Publication year - 2013
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.27.1_supplement.841.13
Subject(s) - breastfeeding , focus group , medicine , qualitative research , comprehension , etiology , environmental health , breast feeding , family medicine , pediatrics , psychiatry , social science , linguistics , philosophy , marketing , sociology , business
Objectives To examine maternal beliefs regarding etiology, presentation and treatment of prevalent child illnesses in rural Mam‐Mayan Guatemalan communities. Methods 9 pregnant and 9 early‐lactating women already enrolled in a concurrent maternal‐infant health study participated in semi‐structured, in‐depth interviews. Two focus groups were conducted with community women. All interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and analyzed with HyperResearch. Findings Most women ascribe infant parasitic, diarrheal and respiratory illnesses to a mix of local/culture‐bound and biomedical concepts of illness. Traditional herbs are routinely used to treat or prevent these conditions. Compliance with food requests made by the infant was mentioned as being protective against parasites, including during the first 6mo of life. Whereas “cold air” was associated with respiratory illness, specific foods considered “cold” in local narratives (fruits, chicken, avocado, potatoes) were associated with gastrointestinal illness. Conclusions Maternal beliefs about childhood illness influence infant feeding practices and may determine both exclusivity of breastfeeding during lactation and infant diet variety. Better comprehension is needed of how socio‐cultural realities impact health‐related behaviors and feeding practice outcomes. Funding: TUSM, IDSA, ASTMH