Leveraging social networks to support reproductive health and economic wellbeing among Guatemalan Maya women

Objective: Maya women in Guatemala are disproportionately affected by poverty and negative reproductive health outcomes. Although social networks are valued in many Indigenous cultures, few studies have explored whether health education programmes can leverage these networks to improve reproductive health and economic wellbeing. Design: This qualitative study explored the role that social networks play in both health education and economic empowerment among women involved in a Maya reproductive health women's group. Setting: Western highlands region of Guatemala. Method: Semi-structured in-depth interviews, each lasting 2-3hours, were conducted with 19 women (aged 18-40years) who had participated in a formal women's network. Topics addressed included personal experience with the group, aspirations for the future and attitudes towards reproductive health and economic wellbeing. Results: Respondents stated that by engaging in formal group activities and interacting with others in the network, they were able to find their voice. They described gaining self-confidence needed to speak about reproductive health with pre-adolescent and adolescent girls as well as other community members. Respondents also discussed learning new ideas/skills and detailed future aspirations of planning their family and reaching educational/career goals. Conclusion: The study illustrates the potential of social networks to provide individuals with knowledge and skills, along with new ways of thinking about themselves and their futures. Health education programmes aspiring to improve the reproductive health and economic wellbeing of vulnerable groups, such as Maya women, should seek to leverage the benefits of such social networks.