Abstract

ARIAS-VALENCIA, María Mercedes. Reproductive schedule (timing) of u'wa (tunebo) indian women of Boyacá, Colombia. Pap. poblac [online]. 2013, vol.19, n.75, pp.159-181. ISSN 2448-7147.

The purpose of this study is to present the result of a research project performed in u'wa (Tunebo) communities in Boyaca, Colombia. Specifically, we tried to characterize some fertility aspects of u'wa women relating to their reproductive schedule (timing), their menarche ages, their conjugal ages, their first pregnancy ages, their first birth ages, as well as the interval between pregnancies and breastfeeding times. The methodology included the survey of 115 reproductive and birth histories obtained through domiciliary visits of small u'wa villages in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 (50 days of field work total). The census was provided by Cubara's Municipal Hospital, which attends U'wa people. In connection with the results, the measured ages were: menarche, 13 years old, first union or conjugal union and first child birth, 16.4 and 18.1 respectively. The average time between pregnancies was 20,6 months, and the average for breastfeeding was 24.3 months; 78.1 per cent of u'wa women breastfeeding from 12 to 35 months, which benefits children's health. The education level in women is low; most of them did not attend school. The reproductive schedule (timing) was characterized and compared to other studies of indian communities. The results are discussed in light of the fertility next determinants and U'wa ethnology indicators.

Keywords : Fertility; u'wa (tunebo) indian people; Colombia.

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