Reproductive Health in Rural Peru, Bolivia, and EcuadorKristen Connors, University of Louisville, Class of 2014

Project ObjectivesA. Further understanding of rural reproductive health B. To gain firsthand practical experience in the field of Public

HealthC. Begin to investigate issues for future thesis ethnography

researchD. Establish initial connections within academic and public

health institutions

Background• Anthropology, Spanish Majors; International Health Studies,

Latin American Studies Minors• Summer 2011: Study Abroad and Volunteer Program, Santiago,

Dominican Republic Studied Caribbean and Latin American cultures Improved Spanish fluency through immersion

Learned Medical Spanish Performed basic medical procedures Learned of major health problems, public health challenges,

disparities Fall 2011-Spring 2012: Study Abroad for two semesters in Lima,

Peru Volunteer with Inppares (IPPF affiliate)

Enrichment Project1. Internship at Inppares (Instituto Peruano de Paternidad

Responsible, IPPF affiliate) Puno, Peru: Worked for two months at Inppares with youth programming, clinic procedures, family planning counseling, and in the laboratory

2. Preliminary Thesis Research, Bolivia, Ecuador: Explored research options for next summer’s enrichment, focused on indigenous reproductive beliefs. Established contact with professionals in academia and in the field of reproductive health in La Paz, Bolivia, Guayaquil, Ecuador, and Quito, Ecuador.

3. Field Visits in Rural Peru: Visited Ayacucho and Arequipa, Peru to learn more about indigenous populations’ access to health care in different parts of the Andes. Participated in maternal health initiative in communities in Ayacucho, because of Salud Sin Limites Peru internship in Lima.

Summer 2011: Excursion to the Caribbean Sea

Youth education group during an event concerning reproductive rights

Left: mothers participating in the ARA project in Huanta, Ayacucho.

Above: one of the communities visited, typical of the rural Andes

Accomplishments• Gained greater understanding of the context for

reproductive health in Peru. Contributed to basis for internship at Salud Sin Limites

• Improved competency in family planning and learned of reproductive beliefs and customs of the indigenous and/or rural populations

• Identified challenges in attending to these target populations

• Selected possible thesis topic and collaborating partners

Floating Islands on Lake Tititcaca in Puno, Peru, home to the Uros population

Future Goals• Brown Fellows Enrichment 2013: Honors Anthropology

thesis in the Bolivian Highlands researching indigenous reproductive health beliefs in relation to contemporary family planning

Graduate School: Masters of Public Helath, Doctorate in Medical Anthropology

Career goals: work to achieve culturally accessible health care for marginalized populations through intercultural health solutions under NGO programs and public policy

Carrying out a laboratory exam

Fall 2011- Spring 2012Study abroad in Lima, PeruExcursion to Machu Pichu