Sexual and reproductive behaviors of the indigenous women: findings from Mexico (English version)

At the time of designing family planning programs focused on the indigenous population, it should be considered their historical situation of cultural marginality. Historically, in Mexico there is a confrontation between indigenous and no indigenous population, so there is a clear lack of confidence (and in part well founded) of these groups to accept any government programs. The indigenous are convinced that health care programs are not going to respect their culture. As indigenous usually live in poverty and extreme poverty, poor education and cultural and geographical isolation, therefore they have poor knowledge of reproductive health, gender equity, physiology or sexuality. It is recognized the need to address indigenous peoples as distinct groups that require special care programs. In this study we have analyzed the sexual and reproductive behaviors of the indigenous women in Mexico. Also we have calculated an Indicator of Risk to HIV Infection (RHIV) among indigenous women. Result indicates that majority of women have sexual and reproductive health problem as well as our indicator majority of indigenous women are in high risk to HIV infection in Mexico.