Exploring sociocultural barriers to family planning among Mayans in Guatemala.

This article reports the findings of a study designed to identify the sources of resistance to family planning among the Maya-Quiche Indians of Guatemala. Over the past decade contraceptive use among Ladinos (those of Western culture) has increased substantially while rates among Mayan-Indians have remained extremely low. This study involved focus group discussions with 9 groups of 8-12 participants and interviews with 25 traditional birth attendants belonging to the Maya-Quiche the largest Indian group in Guatemala. The study found that among the Maya-Quiche there is considerable community disapproval of those who openly practice family planning. Holding great influence among the Maya-Quiche Catholic Church represents the principal source of information on family planning but it disavows its practice and instructs couples to have all the children that God sees fit give them. Community leaders and men also exert great influence on family planning decisions and they invariably oppose its practice. Maya-Quiche culture also seems to work against family planning and in favor of large families. Procreation is viewed as sacred and family planning as "sin." Children help toil the land and provide economic assistance in old age. 62% of 15-44 year-old married women interviewed knew of no modern methods of contraception. Men and older women were more aware of modern methods but regarded them with distrust and feared their side-effects. Many in the focus groups however held a favorable view of birth spacing and found the rhythm method acceptable. But few knew when women were more likely to become pregnant. The article provides recommendations on how to make family planning more acceptable to the Mayan-Indians.