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Overview of Guatemala
Guatemala has a population of 16.3 million which makes it the most populated in Central Africa. The country still holds to many traditional beliefs regarding health and wellness. The women also had more responsibilities in taking care of the children. The people had traditional healers and curers who performed rituals on the sick to create healing.
Beliefs and Values on Child Care
A common phrase often used by the Guetemala parents is everything for my child which denotes commitment to do all good things to a child (Gibbons et al., 2020). The women play the first role in caring for their children from conception. However, the maternal services are poor causing early infant mortality and risking the life of the mother. Other aspect of illness including chronic conditions, mental illnesses, and disabilities are perceived superstitiously. The use and abuse of substances are used by young boys as they start hanging around other men.
Customs and Traditions Related to Ill-health
The customs of the Guatemala are such that there are steps in seeking medical treatment. For example, the mother is often the first to notice signs of sickness. She may perform rituals, pray, or try to comfort the child. If the symptoms continue the father is informed and depending with beliefs, they may go to a ritualist or the hospitals. Noteworthy, even when engaging the scientific medicine, the Guatemalans are still likely to add other rituals like prayers.
Languages and most common non-English speakers
Guatemala is a highly diverse and multicultural group comprising of many indigenous families. They have many tribes and ethnic groups including Achi, Akatek, Chuj, Ixil, Jakaltek, Kaqchikel, Kiche, Mam, Poqomam, Poqomchi, Qanjobal, Qechi, Tzutuijil, and Uspantek (Fien-Helfman, 2018, p.12). Sometimes, communication across villages can vary significantly and remain complex. Yet, only a few children who have received formal education can speak Spanish.
Sources of emotional and physical support
Children who suffer from chronic illness are likely to develop stress. For instance, the untrained caregivers of children suffering from cancer notes that it is vital to establish an effective communication with the children (Graetz et al., 2021). Many well-wishers and religious authorities take the role of comforting the parents and the children of the chronically ill.
Dangers: related to child sex trafficking, war, or homelessness
Guatemala has had several civil wars within the country causing violence that left the children without parents, homeless, and traumatized. During the Creompaz Case the military was found guilty of sexual offences and forcing people to disappear from their homes. The children were not exempted from the atrocities as they too suffered violence. Prostitution of teenagers is increasing causing worries over increase in HIV infections. Moreover, drug trafficking and availability of local brews expose children especially boys whose parenting is not strict on drugs (Gibbon et al., 2020).
Primary healthcare decision-maker
Ideally, the parents of a child are supposed to be the guardians and primary decision makers on health matters. However, if the parents are unable to take proper care of the child the authority can be given to other responsible relatives. In a few cases the government can decide to take over the task of caring for a child if there is exposure to violence and trafficking.
Practice Recommendations
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Increase formal education for adults and children to break communication barrier.
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Employee nurses and healthcare providers from Guatemala to serve as the role models and encourage seeking modern treatment.
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Hold campaigns against child violence, sex trafficking, and drug abuse.
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Empower locals with information on where they can report any atrocities using a toll free customer care number like the 911
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Make formal education free and provide incentives for going to school such as giving lunch and having cultural festivals.
References
Boyce, S. C., Morales-Miranda, S., Ritter, J., Triplett, D. P., Loya-Montiel, I., & Silverman, J. G. (2020). HIV infection and risk heightened among female sex workers who entered the sex trade as adolescents in Guatemala. AIDS and Behavior, 24(10), 2906-2917. Web.
Fien-Helfman, S. (2018). Traditional Mayan maternal health practices in Guatemala. The World Bank, 1-47. Web.
Gibbons, J.L., Freiburger, E.E., Poelker, K.E. (2020). Parenting adolescent girls and boys in Guatemala. In: Ashdown, B.K., Faherty, A.N. (eds) Parents and Caregivers Across Cultures. Springer, Cham. Web.
Graetz, D. E., Rivas, S. E., Wang, H., Vedaraju, Y., Fuentes, A. L., Caceres-Serrano, A., Antillon-Klussmann, F., Devidas, M., Metzger, M. L., Rodriguez-Galindo, C., & Mack, J. W. (2021). Communication priorities and experiences of caregivers of children with cancer in Guatemala. JCO Global Oncology, (7), 1529-1536. Web.
Graetz, D., Rivas, S., Fuentes, L., Cáceres-Serrano, A., Ferrara, G., Antillon-Klussmann, F., Metzger, M., Rodriguez-Galindo, C., & Mack, J. W. (2021). The evolution of parents beliefs about childhood cancer during diagnostic communication: A qualitative study in Guatemala. BMJ Global Health, 6(5), e004653. Web.
Haack, S. L., Mazar, I., Carter, E. M., Addo-Atuah, J., Ryan, M., Salazar Preciado, L. L., González Lucano, L. R., & Barrera Ralda, A. L. (2019). Cultural sensitivity and global pharmacy engagement in Latin America: Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Mexico. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 83(4), 7218. Web.
Sáenz, L. M., & Foster, G. M. (2001). Chapter 2 curers and their cures in colonial New Spain and Guatemala: The Spanish component. Mesoamerican Healers, 19-46. Web.
Taft-Morales, M. (2019). Guatemala: Political and socioeconomic conditions and US relations. Library of Congress Washington Dc. Web.
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