Preventable perinatal deaths in indigenous Wixárika communities: an ethnographic study of pregnancy, childbirth and structural violence

The Wixárika ethnic group of Northwestern Mexico is accustomed to high rates of maternal and infant mortal ity, and until the 1970s they had no vehicle access, schools or medical care of any kind. Although today their most accessible villages can be reached within 2 5 h by unpaved track, approximately half of their popu lation of approximately 35,000 continue to live a further six to 8 h away on foot. As we demonstrate and discuss below, distance from medical facilities is only one of the structural factors that continue to lead to high rates of perinatal mortality in their communities.