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Society for Medical Anthropology
Volunteered - Oral Presentation Session
Lillie Dao
American University
Enrique Terán (Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Colegio de Ciencias de la Salud. Quito, Ecuador.)
Mercedes Flores (Universidad Técnica del Norte, Facultad de Enfermería. Ibarra, Ecuador.)
Isabel Hernandez, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador. Facultad de Enfermería. Quito, Ecuador)
Matilde Farinango, Ministerio de Salud Pública del Ecuador. Distrito 17D10. Cayambe, Ecuador.)
Julie Baldwin (Northern Arizona University (Center for Health Equity Research. Flagstaff, AZ, USA)
Dinorah Martinez Tyson (MPH (University of South Florida (College of Public Health. Tampa, FL, USA)
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and HIV/AIDS are two urgent epidemics that have a complex, mutually reinforcing relationship which disproportionately affects indigenous women in Ecuador. Specifically, 67% of women have reported being a survivor of some type of violence whereas the global statistic for violence against women is only 34%. Concurrently, there is evidence that indicates a higher risk of HIV transmission among indigenous populations in Ecuador. In 2017, Ecuador’s National Assembly approved a bill to end violence against women. With alarmingly high and increasing rates of IPV and HIV/AIDS among indigenous women in Ecuador, it is critical to understand indigenous women’s perspectives on the context of how the national policy environment addresses IPV and HIV/AIDS in their community. Guided by Syndemic Theory, two community-engaged pilot study was conducted with Indigenous Kichwa women in the Highland Andean region of Ecuador to explore the intersections of IPV and HIV/AIDS as they relate to the national policy environment. Preliminary results review the following salient themes as discussed by focus group participants: (1) Kichwa women leaders as civic participants for the inclusion of Indigenous rights in the bill to end violence against women, (2) adultery and substance abuse as pathways between IPV and HIV/AIDS, (3) IPV affects women more than men, and (4) violence persists despite enacted laws. We conclude that there is a disconnect between approved national policies and programs on the ground that address HIV/AIDS and IPV with indigenous communities. Related, family-centered education appears to be absent and is urgently needed.