Abstract
Introduction. The factors that deprive children of their rights are well known, and one of them is their belonging to indigenous peoples. Indigenous children in their early childhood are exposed to greater social inequalities, as they are born and develop in more unfavorable living conditions (Alarcón Muñoz et al., 2021; Pyerín & Weinstein, 2015). The percentage of poverty, deficits in education, social security and work is higher in indigenous early childhood (Pyerín & Weinstein, 2015). In Chile, children belonging to indigenous peoples account for around 14% of the population between 0 and 9 years of age, with the Mapuche, Aymara and Diaguita peoples being the most represented (Cillero et al., 2021; MIDESO, 2024; Narea et al., 2016). It is the duty of the state to promote that all children have the right to enjoy a healthy life, where they develop safe, protected and can receive education, to have a productive and prosperous adult life.
Objective. to analyze the conceptions of healthy child development held by the families of indigenous children, and by the health teams from PHC.
Methodology. A mixed method design was implemented including an integrative review of national and international literature on integral development in indigenous children; analysis of statistical records and surveys as baseline of health development situation of indigenous children; a qualitative study of the conceptions of integral development and its evaluation of indigenous children that emerge from the perspective of their families and the health teams of the primary health care network where they are attended; finally an analysis and integration of quantitative and qualitative results.
Results. From the integrative literature review, we established a definition about integral child development. The analysis of the statistical records and surveys led to the construction of a baseline about health development situation of indigenous children, establishing the need for specific and pertinent records. The qualitative study identified that the families' own cultural practices prevailed over those recommended by the health care team. The health care team instinctively seeks to culturally adapt the evaluations that are carried out to have an impact on the families they serve.
Conclusion. It is necessary to move beyond the cultural adaptation of child assessment instruments to collaborative work with indigenous peoples to address the cultural relevance aspects of child health care.
Notes
References:
Alarcón Muñoz, A. M., Alonqueo, P., Castro Garrido, M., & Hidalgo Standen, M. C. (2021). ¡Memo, te vienen a ver! El proceso de investigación como protocolo de visita en la cultura mapuche. Revista de Psicología, 30(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.5354/0719-0581.2021.60642
Cillero, M., Egenau, P., Cueto, E., Undurraga, E., & Pacheco, P. (2021). Nacer y crecer en pobreza y vulnerabilidad. In Alianza Erradicación de la Pobreza Infantil. http://scioteca.caf.com/bitstream/handle/123456789/1091/RED2017-Eng-8ene.pdf?MIDESO. (2024). SERIE DE RESULTADOS CASEN POBREZA MULTIDIMENSIONAL EN NIÑAS , NIÑOS Y ADOLESCENTES ENCUESTA CASEN 2006-2022.
Narea, M., Murray, M., & Tizzoni, C. (2016). Elementos socioculturales respecto al cuidado de niños y niñas en Santiago de Chile. In José María Samper. https://doi.org/10.3726/978-3-0353-0290-5/3
Sigma Membership
Alpha Beta Omicron
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Mixed/Multi Method Research
Keywords:
Primary Care, Health Equity or Social Determinants of Health, Sustainable Development Goals, Cultural Context and Care, Child Development, Indigenous Peoples, Poverty
Recommended Citation
Marquez-Doren, Francisca; Lucchini-Raies, Camila; Gonzalez-Aguero, Marcela; and Farías-Cancino, Angelica, "Conceptions of Indigenous Child Development: Perspective of Families and Health Professionals" (2025). Biennial Convention (CONV). 228.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/convention/2025/presentations_2025/228
Conference Name
48th Biennial Convention
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2025-12-09
Conceptions of Indigenous Child Development: Perspective of Families and Health Professionals
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Introduction. The factors that deprive children of their rights are well known, and one of them is their belonging to indigenous peoples. Indigenous children in their early childhood are exposed to greater social inequalities, as they are born and develop in more unfavorable living conditions (Alarcón Muñoz et al., 2021; Pyerín & Weinstein, 2015). The percentage of poverty, deficits in education, social security and work is higher in indigenous early childhood (Pyerín & Weinstein, 2015). In Chile, children belonging to indigenous peoples account for around 14% of the population between 0 and 9 years of age, with the Mapuche, Aymara and Diaguita peoples being the most represented (Cillero et al., 2021; MIDESO, 2024; Narea et al., 2016). It is the duty of the state to promote that all children have the right to enjoy a healthy life, where they develop safe, protected and can receive education, to have a productive and prosperous adult life.
Objective. to analyze the conceptions of healthy child development held by the families of indigenous children, and by the health teams from PHC.
Methodology. A mixed method design was implemented including an integrative review of national and international literature on integral development in indigenous children; analysis of statistical records and surveys as baseline of health development situation of indigenous children; a qualitative study of the conceptions of integral development and its evaluation of indigenous children that emerge from the perspective of their families and the health teams of the primary health care network where they are attended; finally an analysis and integration of quantitative and qualitative results.
Results. From the integrative literature review, we established a definition about integral child development. The analysis of the statistical records and surveys led to the construction of a baseline about health development situation of indigenous children, establishing the need for specific and pertinent records. The qualitative study identified that the families' own cultural practices prevailed over those recommended by the health care team. The health care team instinctively seeks to culturally adapt the evaluations that are carried out to have an impact on the families they serve.
Conclusion. It is necessary to move beyond the cultural adaptation of child assessment instruments to collaborative work with indigenous peoples to address the cultural relevance aspects of child health care.
Description
Understanding conceptions of comprehensive development of indigenous children, is an imperative that safeguards their health rights and promotes healthy child development. A mixed study was carried out to deepen on the conceptions of integral development of indigenous children, from Aymara, Diaguita and Mapuche peoples, that emerge from the families and PHC health teams that attend them.