Medical pluralism and ethnomedicine among the Toba (Qom) from Bermejito River (Chaco, Argentina). Challenges and contributions to intercultural management of health in the Chaco forest

The following article is conceived as part of a study of ethnomedicine of the people Toba (Qom) of the Central Chaco, Argentina, and aims to show - by characterizing of it and of the current state of health and disease processes - some of the challenges of intercultural management in health in the r...

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Autor principal: Martínez, Gustavo Javier
Formato: Artículo revista
Lenguaje:Español
Publicado: Facultad de Filosofía y Humanidades. Museo de Antropología 2011
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Acceso en línea:https://revistas.unc.edu.ar/index.php/antropologia/article/view/5491
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Sumario:The following article is conceived as part of a study of ethnomedicine of the people Toba (Qom) of the Central Chaco, Argentina, and aims to show - by characterizing of it and of the current state of health and disease processes - some of the challenges of intercultural management in health in the region known as “Impenetrable chaqueño”. To do this, we will stop at the consideration of three aspects: traditional medical practices in the medical local system, maternal-infant health, and health problems related to the environment. From the methodological point of view we discuss some theoretical frameworks and current status on these issues by analyzing fieldwork information obtained from qualitative, quantitative and participatory methods. In the analysis we consider the complexity of the current ethnomedical system in the region; the conflicts and coordination among the different scenarios and local actors; representations and ways of thinking and acting of Toba women linked to the life cycle; and finally, knowledge, attitudes and practices of the natives in relation to the environmental changes and diseases associated with them. As a corollary and synthesis of each issue, we discuss possible guidelines and actions in order to the intercultural management of health, considering the current context of medical pluralism and the contribution of various interdisciplinary research approaches, such as ethnoecological perspectives, and the studies from critical and communitarian epidemiology.