Reproductive behavior of ethnic groups in Antioquia, Colombi ; Comportamiento reproductivo en las etnias de Antioquia-Colombia

Objective. To identify the reproductive timing, intensity, and rhythm of the Embera, (Eyabida, Dobida, and Chamibida subgroups) and Zenues ethnic groups. Material and Methods. A sociodemographic study was conducted during 1996-1997 in Antioquia, Colombia, on a non-random population sample, stratified by ethnic group, to compare reproductive behaviors within and between these ethnic groups. Statistical analysis for independent samples was conducted using the software program Epi-Info. Analysis included the Student’s t test for difference of means, and the chi-squared test for difference of proportions. Results. Reproductive behavior was characterized by ages at first intercourse of 14.5 and 15.8 years; the average interval before pregnancy was 1 to 1.3 years, followed by 48% to 73.3% of short-spaced intergenesic intervals. Reproductive stress was 50% during reproductive life, reaching an accelerated rhythm at 30 -34 years of age, with a high fecundity ratio averaging 10.5 births, except for the better educated Chamibida that had 4 births on average. Conclusions. Mainstream health policies directed at controlling birthrates are far from appropriate because they do not take into account the specific reproductive behaviors of these ethnic groups. The English version of this paper is available at: http://www.insp.mx/salud/index.html ; Objetivo. Caracterizar el calendario, la intensidad y el ritmo reproductivos en dos etnias: los Embera en los subgrupos Eyabida, Dobida y Chamibida, y los Zenúes. Material y métodos. Es un estudio sociodemográfico comparativo con la técnica de historia reproductiva. En una muestra no aleatoria, estratificada por etnia, se hacen comparaciones intra e interétnicas entre 1996 y 1997, en el Departamento de Antioquia, Colombia. Las pruebas estadísticas aplicadas para muestras independientes, utilizando el procesador EpiInfo fueron t de Student para la diferencia de promedios y ji cuadrada para diferencia de proporciones. Resultados. El comportamiento reproductivo se caracteriza por una ...