Profile of traditional midwives in the Amazon: partnership relations between health services and political participation

Abstract

This article analyzes the profile of traditional midwives in the state of Amazonas, Brazil, highlighting the identification of socioeconomic characteristics, their places of work and the analysis of the relationship between the work of midwives and health services. This is a descriptive and analytical study. The information collected comes from an instrument applied with midwives in the municipalities of the state of Amazonas that makes up the database. It was found that most midwives interviewed have incomplete elementary education; reside in rural or riverside areas; started the activity of midwifery community context and the absence or unavailability of health services. It was found that most of the interviewees reported not attending births in health facilities and do not receive help from the health departments so that they can assist the parturients. The results show the importance of the presence and support of traditional midwives in Amazonian territories. It is necessary to strengthen their practices, involving dialogue between the various existing knowledge in the production of care.