Gender Issues Influencing Zika Response in Guatemala: Technical Report

The project's focus on gender issues influencing Zika response in Guatemala is a critical component of its overall strategy. In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Zika virus outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), citing the virus's association with congenital syndrome associated with Zika (CSaZ) and Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS). Guatemala's sociodemographic overview reveals a country with significant disparities in health outcomes, particularly for women and girls. According to the National Maternal and Child Health Survey (ENSMI), Guatemala has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in Latin America and the Caribbean. The country's reproductive health indicators, as shown in Table 2, highlight the need for targeted interventions to improve maternal and child health outcomes. The Zika virus outbreak in Guatemala was characterized by a rapid spread of the virus, with the first cases reported in 2015. The Ministry of Health and Social Assistance (MSPAS) implemented a range of response activities, including surveillance, case management, and community outreach. However, the response was hindered by several factors, including inadequate funding, limited access to healthcare services, and a lack of awareness about the virus among the general public. A desk review of the Zika response in Guatemala identified several key factors that influenced the effectiveness of the response. These factors included the availability of healthcare services, the quality of care provided, and the level of community engagement. The review also highlighted the importance of addressing gender-based violence (GBV) and intimate partner violence (IPV) in the context of Zika response. The rapid gender analysis conducted by the ASSIST Project aimed to identify the gender issues influencing Zika response in Guatemala. The analysis involved a series of focus group discussions and key informant interviews with community members, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders. The findings of the analysis are presented in the following sections. Knowledge about Zika was found to be limited among community members, particularly in rural areas. Many participants reported that they had not received adequate information about the virus and its risks. The analysis also highlighted the importance of addressing gender-based violence and intimate partner violence in the context of Zika response. The analysis found that gender issues influenced condom use during pregnancy, with many women reporting that they were unable to access condoms due to lack of access to healthcare services or due to social and cultural norms. The male outreach activities matrix (Table 3) highlights the importance of engaging men in Zika prevention and care efforts. The analysis also identified several other barriers to Zika prevention and care, including limited access to healthcare services, inadequate funding, and a lack of awareness about the virus among the general public. Regional and urban-rural differences were also identified as significant factors influencing the effectiveness of the Zika response. The analysis highlighted the importance of addressing the needs of vulnerable populations, including women and girls, in the context of Zika response. The ASSIST Project implemented several changes to address gender issues limiting condom use during pregnancy, including the development of a gender-sensitive Zika response plan and the provision of training to healthcare providers on gender-based violence and intimate partner violence. The conclusion of the analysis emphasizes the importance of addressing gender issues in the context of Zika response in Guatemala. The recommendations and way forward highlight the need for continued support for the Zika response efforts, including the provision of funding and technical assistance to the Ministry of Health and Social Assistance.