Dissertation Research: Traditional Birth Attendants, Their Training, and Maternal Health in Belize

该项目将支持一位文化人类学家的论文研究，他将研究伯利兹传统助产士(助产士)的生物医学培训对产妇健康的影响。目的是描述传统和生物医学培训的助产士在产科理论和实践方面的相似和不同之处，并确定这些群体如何影响产妇死亡率。研究方法包括参与者观察、健康史和体检。这项研究之所以重要，是因为儿童健康和孕产妇疾病是发展中国家主要关注的主题。了解传统知识和实践对这些方面的影响可以帮助医疗政策制定者设计更有效的计划。

This project will support the dissertation research of a cultural anthropologist who will study the effect of biomedical training of traditional birth attendants (midwives) on maternal health in Belize. The objectives are to describe similarities and differences in the obstetric theory and practice of traditionally and biomedically trained birth attendants, and to determine how these groups affect maternal mortality. The methodology includes participant observation, health histories and physical examinations. This research is important because child health and maternal illness are topics of major concern in the developing world. The understanding of how traditional knowledge and practice impact on these can help health care policy makers design more effective programs.