Using ethnography to study indigenous women's agency in reproductive health care /

In this case study, I discuss how I used ethnographic methods to examine indigenous women's agency in the area of reproductive health care in the context of Prospera, an influential Mexican national anti-poverty program. Methods included direct observations and audio-recordings of required clin...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Abarbanell, Linda (Author)
Format: eBook
Language:English
Published: London : SAGE Publications Ltd., 2020.
Series:SAGE Research Methods Cases : Medicine and Health.
Subjects:
Online Access:Connect to the full text of this electronic book
Description
Summary:In this case study, I discuss how I used ethnographic methods to examine indigenous women's agency in the area of reproductive health care in the context of Prospera, an influential Mexican national anti-poverty program. Methods included direct observations and audio-recordings of required clinical consultations, educational health care talks, home visits, and program-related meetings. These were supplemented with semi-structured interviews with health care workers and program beneficiaries/patients. I discuss the benefits and challenges of using these methods particularly for examining complex constructs such as agency and empowerment that are difficult to assess using more structured methods. I focus on the importance of knowing the local language, culture, and norms, and discuss the challenges I faced obtaining informed consent, avoiding potential conflicts of interest, and maintaining positive relationships with health care workers, community members, and local authorities.
Physical Description:1 online resource.
Bibliography:Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN:9781529744606
1529744601