Ethnicity and the use of health services in Belize
Stupp, P.W.; Macke, B.A.; Monteith, R.; Paredez, S.
Journal of Biosocial Science 26(2): 165-177
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-9320 PMID: 8014173 DOI: 10.1017/s0021932000021209Document Number: 277463
Data from the 1991 Belize Family Health Survey show differences 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 differences 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), post-partum and newborn check-ups after a birth, and immunizations 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 post-partum check-ups, after controlling for other characteristics. There are no ethnic differences for immunizations. Programmatic implications of these results are discussed.