Resumo

LAZA VASQUEZ, CELMIRA  e  RUIZ DE CARDENAS, CARMEN HELENA. Traditional midwifery knowledge in the Cimitarra River Valley: Taking Care of life. av.enferm. [online]. 2009, vol.27, n.2, pp.113-126. ISSN 0121-4500.

Focalized ethnography and Spradley's technique were used to collect and analyze information. Diversity and universality stated in Leninger's study of culture were regarded as a theoretical reference. The objective was to describe care given by traditional midwives, using their traditional beliefs and practices, on women during delivery in the rural area of the Cimitarra river valley, Mid Magdalena river basin. It took place in the Cimitarra River and in the town Barrancabermeja, where seven traditional midwives participated. Data was collected using ethnographic interview and participative observation during 2007 and 2008. Spradley's technique was used for the analysis of the information. " Traditional midwifery knowledge in the Cimitarra River Valley. Taking care of life" emerges as a core subject, plus it contains five separate cultural domains: preparation for birth, identify the moment of birth, assist the woman during delivery, the health of the mother and child after delivery. General health care is connected to the need to " survive" despite war, violence and state abandonment. In this region, health care practices are based on cultural and religious beliefs, daily rural work and oral traditions and invoking religious beliefs; These factors are all set amidst the complex environmental context, in which there is uncertainty due to lack of knowledge and fear of potential legal issues.

Palavras-chave : midwives; practical; health care; parturition; culture.

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