Health

Fight against AIDS in Kuna Yala pits workers against traditions

The indigenous area has the country’s third-highest rate of HIV and AIDS.

la prensa

uphill battle: Social workers find themselves struggling to discuss issues related to sex within indigenous communities.1125393

Elvira Guillén faces the difficult task of talking to fellow residents of Kuna Yala about sex, and in particular family planning and the control of sexually-transmitted diseases.

“In the region, there is a lack of information,” said Guillén, adding that cultural taboos and traditions complicate the issue even more.

Because the Kuna speak very metaphorically, Guillén finds herself having to avoid talking directly about issues such as sexual intercourse. Discussing sex in a frank manner would offend her audience, and probably make people stop listening to her.

She also has to deal with a history of mistrust surrounding the issue of family planning.

“People think that what we want is for fewer Kunas to be born,” Guillén said.

The issue, however, is one that can sometimes mean the difference between life and death. HIV and AIDS is a serious problem in the community, as Kuna Yala has the third-highest rate of infection in the country, behind Panama and Colón.

According to Néstor Pérez, regional coordinator for HIV-AIDS in Kuna Yala, the infection rate is currently 12 cases per 10,000 residents. He said part of the problem is the steady migration of Kuna back and forth between Panama City.

“The population of Kuna Yala is mobile,” Pérez said. “People go to the city, then return to the region and infect a partner.”

Right now, 14 Kunas are receiving therapy in a clinic that opened in December 2007 in Ailigandí.

In addition to the cultural problems facing social workers, they also face a problem of geography.

“In Kuna Yala, the communities are dispersed,” Pérez said. “It is difficult to get information to all the communities.”

Elgar Casiano, Kuna Yala's regional medical director, added that, in isolated communities, diseases tend to spread very quickly within the smaller populations.