Buena Salud Américas

Health Needs of Women at Different Stages of Life

For this focus area, the Alliance and HAF provided community engagement grants to partner agencies in Bolivia, Costa Rica, and Guatemala for the implementation of a series of community discussions to gather information and learn more about women’s health including women’s reproductive health, gynecologic diseases, menopause, and mental health.

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BOLIVIA – CIES: SALUD SEXUAL SALUD REPRODUCTIVA

CIES conducted a study to assess women’s knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding their health throughout the different stages of their lives with a focus on reproductive health. With the goal of assessing women’s knowledge, beliefs, and practices related to sexual and reproductive health issues, a set of qualitative and quantitative methodologies were implemented with the purpose of deepening the view and analysis of women's needs on sexual and reproductive health issues, granting the necessary value to the perspective of the women themselves. The study was conducted in six geographical areas of Bolivia, that included the most populated cities and municipalities surrounding large cities. About 65 women between the ages of 15 and 60 years of age participated in a series of focus groups. About 777 women also between the ages of 15 and 60 year of age responded to a survey. Amongst the results, the study found that regarding pregnancy planning younger women had the greatest difficulties in planning the most appropriate time for a pregnancy, while older women found problems limiting their fertility and faced unwanted pregnancies.

Given these results, the study concluded that there is still a high percentage of women with unmet needs for contraception and who, therefore, cannot achieve their reproductive ideals. Family planning strategies and programs need to be strengthened so women can make free and informed decisions regarding their sexual and reproductive health.

COSTA RICA – VOCES VITALES COSTA RICA

Voces Vitales Costa Rica conducted a study to assess how much information and understanding women of different backgrounds and ages have concerning their physical, sexual, and mental health. As series of focus groups were conducted with women between the ages of 18 – 45 15 from rural and urban areas and varied income levels. Results from the focus groups showed that there is unequal access to healthcare services when it comes to prevention and mental health support. Regarding the subject of sexual and reproductive health, there is a great need to learn, not only about preventive aspects of women's health, but also about establishing a healthy relationship with one's own body, to the psycho-affective experience of relationships and shared sexuality. With regard to mental and emotional health, there is a clear need for support, resources, and training in psychoeducation to address undiagnosed and/or untreated mental/emotional disorders and provide timely treatment and support. Women identified the need to support mothers with knowledge, tools, and educational resources so they can better communicate and offer their children accurate information related to issues of sexual and reproductive health as well as mental and emotional health. The study concluded that there is a need for a more holistic and more humane medical care approach, which takes the women’s true needs into consideration, both at the individual and community level as well as the preventive and palliative level.

GUATEMALA – ISDM/OSAR: INSTANCIA POR LA SALUD Y EL DESARROLLO DE LAS MUJERES

Through this qualitative study, ISDM gathered important information about the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the indigenous women of Chimaltenango in relation to their reproductive, mental and oral health, interests, and their needs for cultural relevant care. This study strengthened ISDM work to address women's health issues by life cycle, access to health services, and better forms of prevention and care that is culturally relevant for women. Focus groups were conducted in Spanish and “kaqchikel” with indigenous and non-indigenous girls and women between 10 and 60 years of age. Focus groups findings showed that the COVID 19 pandemic affected the mental and physical health of young and adult women, therefore mental health programs need to be strengthened to help prevent violence against women and suicides. The lack of access to health services during the pandemic also affected the reproductive health of women. Family planning was not available, and women became pregnant with unwanted pregnancies. Programs to empower indigenous and non-indigenous women with knowledge on reproductive health, with a focus on rights, gender and cultural relevance, need to be strengthened to prevent maternal deaths and unwanted pregnancies. The study also highlighted the importance of recognizing and valuing the role of ancestral knowledge and use of traditional medicines for disease prevention in indigenous communities.

Hablemos del cáncer y el VPH/Let's Talk About Cancer and HPV

The National Alliance for Hispanic Health (the Alliance) and its Healthy Americas Foundation (HAF) established The Buena Salud Américas Initiative to promote collaboration between governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to support community-based efforts and civil society engagement in public health policies and systems for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) throughout the Americas.

Through the work of the Buena Salud Américas Initiative, the Alliance and HAF provided community engagement grants to partner agencies in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, Peru, and Puerto Rico, to implement Hablemos del cáncer y el VPH/Let's Talk About Cancer and HPV Program address cervical cancer prevention and HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) vaccination in the Americas. This initiative provided a platform for community-based organizations to build local advocacy, increase awareness about cervical cancer and the benefits of HPV vaccination, disseminate trusted and accurate information about prevention of cervical cancer and HPV, and share successful community-based practices and educational resources. Activities included engagement in vaccination policy formulation and implementation, development of training curriculums and educational materials, implementation of traditional media and social media communication campaigns, workshops and trainings for school staff and community health workers, and community outreach activities through health fairs and community events. The following are examples of the initiatives implemented by country and agency: