Indigenous maternal health in women from Nasa and Misak ethnicities from Cauca, Colombia: tensions, subordination, and intercultural dialogue between two medical systems

Abstract

This study sought to understand the components of the relationship between mothers from Nasa and Misak ethnicities from Cauca, Colombia, and both the indigenous and Western health care services for maternal health, through qualitative approach harmonizing the model of construction of meaning and grounded theory. Elements about health, illness and motherhood conceptualization inside each system were rescued. These elements are expressed in care practices, being the labor the moment of greatest tension. Patterns of relationships between actors of both medical systems were also identified. An indigenous health system with low development and progressive loss of values, in conjunction with a Western medical system without culturally appropriate health services, results in mothers in an environment of uncertainty where it is not possible to carry out traditional practices, nor having access to proper allopathic services.