IR Home > Publishing > Active Journals > Maya America > Vol. 7 > Iss. 1 (2025)

Guatemalan Maya Women’s Attitudes Towards Biomedical Contraception After Migrating to the United States

Shreenaya Prabu, International Research Institute of North Carolina
Iris Parshley, International Research Institute of North Carolina
Robert Malkin, International Research Institute of North Carolina

Abstract

Medical providers in the United States who discuss the use of contraceptives with Maya women migrants might discover strong reluctance and complex beliefs about the social and physical benefits of biomedical contraceptive measures. This research report presents information about contraceptive usage among Maya in Guatemala and how usage or attitudes toward contraception might have changed while living in the United States. The research team, during 2024, interviewed six adult female Guatemalan Maya refugees over Zoom to understand their thoughts toward contraceptive use before and after migrating. Discussion points included: lack of sexual education in Guatemala, health concerns arising from using contraception, correlation between acculturation into American culture and openness to contraception, beliefs about contraceptives that originated in Guatemala, and the impact of religion in their decision to use contraception. This research will help organizations tailor their approaches and interventions to consider the concerns of Maya women, fostering a deeper understanding and effective communication.

Publication Date

8-14-2025

Keywords

Contraception, Maya, Guatemala, Refugee, Birth Control, Biomedical

Author Bio(s)

Shreenaya Prabu, an undergraduate and Honors student at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, is pursuing a major in Electrical Engineering with a Biomedical Specialization, alongside minors in Biology and Chemistry. Iris Parshley earned her Master of Global Health from Duke University and is presently engaged in child cancer research at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Robert Malkin, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Duke University, serves as the Academic Director of The International Research Institute of North Carolina (IRI-NC), which is dedicated to advancing medical instrumentation for underserved populations worldwide. IRI-NC is an extracurricular opportunity for high school students and undergraduate students to conduct research under the guidance of mentors. Shreenaya Prabu developed the research project, conducted interviews, and wrote the manuscript. Iris Parshley oversaw the interview preparation and interviews and assisted in writing and editing the manuscript. Dr. Robert Malkin supervised the work, contacted the organization for the interviews, and edited the manuscript.