Posted by TJResearcher on March 26, 2001 at 16:49:38:
In Reply to: Re: Chicas know very little about STD's posted by Explorer8939 on March 26, 2001 at 13:16:27:
|
Not only do many women harbor misconceptions about reproductive health and STD's (even sex workers), they also have some pretty interesting (though usually ineffective) ways of diagnosing and treating 'women problems'. Its generally thought that sex workers will be more well versed in such matters, but the fact that the sex worker union has guest speakers who talk about protection, diagnosis and treatment demonstrates there is a real issue here. These kind of questions make up a significant portion of my interview for the sexworkers in Zona Norte. Anyone ever noticed the line of vendors along the Western edge of Zona Rosa north of the cathedral? Take a look there sometime and note the products marketed to "chicas" ("ballerinas"). They sell all kinds of magical and herbal preparations for all sex related stuff... Also, maybe ya'll didn't know, but abortion is still illegal in Mexico. Guess what the leading cause of death among women of child-bearing age is? P.S. In medical anthropology, we call the study of these kinds of beliefs and practices ethnomedicine. I'm teaching a class on it next year :) For AIDS researchers, they distribute what they call KAP's surveys (Knowledge, Attitude, Practices). Just thought I'd throw this in while I'm packing for my trip to the tropics.
|
|