Reproductive behavior in riverside women: health survey in an isolated community in the Middle Solimões, Amazonas, Brazil

Abstract

Health surveys conducted in geographically isolated communities help to characterize reproductive behavior and its conditioning factors. The aim of this study was to know the profile of sexual, reproductive health and socio-cultural and economic aspects in riverside women from the Middle Solimões, Amazonas/Brazil. This retrospective and descriptive study was with women from Vila Sião Community, Alvarães/AM. Twenty-eight women, 18-57 years old, were individually interviewed using a form to obtain sociocultural data, sexual and reproductive life history. The results of the descriptive analyzes indicated that the interviewees are mixed race, with elementary education, married and who work in family agriculture. Regarding the interviewees' sexual life history, it was noted that the relationships are long lasting, with the same partner, and the first pregnancy occurred during adolescence. Gestational indicators showed a predominance of home birth. These women had a high fertility coefficient. However, the history of gestational loss attributed to eclampsia, home accidents, and illness emphasizes the importance of prenatal care for the promotion of pregnant woman and baby health. From these results it is concluded that the internalization of health services is essential for specialized medical assistance to reach the riverside and isolated communities of Amazonas, Brazil.