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Ethnicity and the use of health services in Belize

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 July 2008

Paul W. Stupp ,
Beth A. Macke ,
Richard Monteith  and
Sandra Paredez
Paul W. Stupp
Affiliation:
Division of Reproductive Health, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta
Beth A. Macke
Affiliation:
Division of Reproductive Health, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta Department of Sociology, Emory University, Atlanta
Richard Monteith
Affiliation:
International Health Program Office, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Sandra Paredez
Affiliation:
Central Statistical Office, Ministry of Finance, Belmopan, Belize, Central America.
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Summary

Data from the 1991 Belize Family Health Survey show differentials in the use of maternal and child health services between ethnic groups (Creole, Mestizo, Maya/Ketchi and Garifuna). Multivariate analysis is used to explore whether such differentials can truly be attributed to ethnicity or to other characteristics that distinguish the ethnic groups. Health services considered are: family planning, place of delivery (hospital/other), postpartum and newborn check-ups after a birth, and immunisations for children. The language usually spoken in the household is found to be important for interpreting ethnic differentials. Mayan-speaking Maya/Ketchis are significantly less likely to use family planning services or to give birth in a hospital. Spanish-speakers (Mestizos and Maya/Ketchis) are less likely to use newborn and postpartum check-ups, after controlling for other characteristics. There are no ethnic differentials for immunisations. Programmatic implications of these results are discussed.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Biosocial Science , Volume 26 , Issue 2 , April 1994 , pp. 165 - 177
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1994

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