SURGICAL PROCEDURES PERFORMED ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, FROM THE LEGAL AMAZON IN HEALTH CARE

Abstract

Introduction: The research carried out in the Gavião and Arara indigenous villages aimed to identify the most recurrent surgical procedures among the indigenous people of these communities, focusing on gender differences and the difficulties faced to carry out the research, duly authorized by the CEP and FUNAI. Methodology: Data collection in indigenous peoples, through forms with closed questions about procedures performed on the interviewed population. Results and Discussion: In the village of Gavião, 30 women and 20 men were interviewed, and in the village of Arara, 17 women and 10 men. The data show that 15 men from the Gavião village had never undergone any surgical procedure, while 5 had already undergone surgeries. Among the women, 16 had never undergone surgery, and 14 reported having already undergone some procedure. In the Arara village, 7 men had not undergone surgeries and 3 said they had already had them. Among the women, 4 had not undergone surgery and 13 had already undergone surgical procedures. The research also showed a strong context of machismo in the Gavião village, which represses women in several aspects, especially in access to health care. These cultural issues can impact the way women seek medical care and accept surgical treatments, something that aligns with what is observed in other Indigenous communities in Brazil, where cultural barriers and machismo play a significant role in health inequalities. In addition, researchers faced significant challenges, such as difficulty in obtaining the necessary permits and complicated access to villages. This scenario is common in studies with indigenous populations, as reported by Pedrana et al. (2022), who highlight the importance of intercultural health that integrates traditional knowledge and the formal health system, recognizing the specific cultural needs of indigenous peoples. Similarly, Jardim et al. (2023) emphasize that the creation of health programs that respect the culture and barriers to access to indigenous communities is essential to overcome the historical inequalities faced by these groups. Conclusion: It is concluded that the research brings to light the need for public policies that consider the cultural and geographical specificities of Indigenous communities, providing a more inclusive and accessible health system.