Understanding Ethnic Variation in Pregnancy-Related Health Care in Rural Guatemala

Guatemala, one of the poorest countries in Latin America, experiences some of the highest maternal and infant mortality rates in the region. It is also one of the most stratified countries in the world with ethnicity playing a major role in the distribution of resources. Approximately half of the population is indigenous1 - i.e. descendents of the Mayans or other pre-conquest groups who maintain separate cultural identities and language while the ladino population, loosely defined as all non-indigenous people, regard themselves as part of the national Guatemalan culture, speak Spanish, wear western clothing, and are of mixed indigenous and European origins. The indigenous population is concentrated in the most disadvantaged segments of society, while the upper levels of the income and education distribution are dominated by ladinos.