Incorporation of Professionals with Training in Interculturality into Sexual and Reproductive Health Services: Feasibility Analysis

Abstract

This study evaluates the political, legal, organizational, and availability of resources for the onboarding of health professionals trained in interculturality for sexual and reproductive health care of the indigenous population in public health services. A case study was carried out using a qualitative methodology that implemented intercultural care strategies in reproductive health in two Mexican states with the presence of indigenous population. In regards of the political feasibility, the interest of the actors, positioning, and power were explored. In regards of legal feasibility, the presence of legal impediments was analyzed. In the case of organizational feasibility, we explored the organizational structure and functions of the personnel. Finally, for evaluating the availability of resources, we analyzed the budget available for hiring personnel with intercultural training. Political feasibility shows that the actors recognize the importance of including personnel with intercultural training for reproductive health care in indigenous population; despite this, in both states, there is no clear position in favor of it. In legal feasibility, no impediment for hiring these personnel was found. In organizational feasibility, the organizational structure of health services does not include a unit to oversee intercultural health services and practices and does not specify intercultural functions in the professional required profiles. In both states, there is no budget allocation for hiring personnel with an intercultural profile. Therefore, intercultural actions implemented are part of the local initiative of decision-makers to respond to reproductive health problems within indigenous population. The overall feasibility assessment does not show clear results in favor of incorporating health professionals trained in interculturality for sexual and reproductive health care for indigenous population. Therefore, it is still necessary to advocate on this issue so that intercultural hiring policies can be explicitly concretized in the acquisition of public health services.