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Body mapping to explore reproductive ethno-physiological beliefs and knowledge of contraception in Timor-Leste
Wallace, Heather Julie McDonald, Susan Belton, Suzanne Miranda, Agueda Isolina da Costa, Eurico da Conceicao Matos, Livio Henderson, Helen Taft, Angela
Wallace, Heather Julie
McDonald, Susan
Belton, Suzanne
Miranda, Agueda Isolina
da Costa, Eurico
da Conceicao Matos, Livio
Henderson, Helen
Taft, Angela
Abstract
Maternal mortality remains a significant public health challenge for Timor-Leste. Although access to quality family planning measures may greatly reduce such deaths, consideration of indigenous perceptions, and how they influence reproductive health decision-making and behavior, is crucial if health services are to provide initiatives that are accepted and helpful in improving reproductive health outcomes. We aimed to demonstrate that body mapping is an effective method to traverse language and culture to gain emic insights and indigenous worldviews. The authors’ two qualitative research projects (2013 and 2015) used a decolonizing methodology in four districts of Timor-Leste, body mapping with 67 men and 40 women to illuminate ethno-physiology and indigenous beliefs about conception, reproduction, and contraception. Body mapping provided a beneficial conduit for identifying established indigenous reproductive perceptions, understandings, and vocabulary, plus fears surrounding contraception. This may inform health service provision and engagement, ultimately improving the reproductive health of community members.
Keywords
body mapping, ethno-physiology, ethno-anatomy, reproductive health, contraception, qualitative, decolonizing Timor-Leste, South East Asia
Date
2018
Type
Journal article
Journal
Qualitative Health Research
Book
Volume
28
Issue
7
Page Range
1171-1184
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
All rights reserved
File Access
Controlled