Faculty
Research
Charles Briggs & Clara Mantini-Briggs
"Research
on Mission Barrio Adentro:
An
ethnography of popular participation in Venezuela’s revolutionary healthcare
program" |
Also
available en español
RESEARCH
ACTIVITIES
 |
Estado
delta Amacuro, Municipio Antonio Días,
Siahuani, 2008. (Photo by Charles Briggs)
|
The
investigators led teams in 2005 and 2006 and made additional
visits between 2004 and 2007. The project is independent of
government institutions and opposition parties. Primary research
sites include Santa Teresa, a working/middle-class community
in Caracas; impoverished hillside communities in 23 de Enero,
also near the center of Caracas; La Guaira and Naiguatá,
respectively larger and smaller communities in coastal Vargas
State; Morón and Alpargatón, Carabobo, respectively
a small city and semi-rural area in central Venezuela; and
the Delta Amacuro rainforest.
Interviews
 |
Parroquia
Santa Teresa, Caracas 2004: Interviewer Alexandra Anastopulos
(left). |
We
interviewed 221 community members, 41 health professionals
and 28 government employees outside the health sector, stratified
according to age, gender, social class and political affiliation.
We conducted additional interviews in Maracay, Aragua; Timote,
Mérida; Los Robles, Nueva Esparta and other parts
of Caracas. Interviews were semi-structured; all were tape-recorded,
and participants were assured of anonymity.
Ethnographic
Observation and Documentary Research
 |
Estado
Delta Amacuro Municipio Antonio Dias, Muaina 2008.
|
The
two principal investigators and seven research assistants:
1) systematically observed health modules (consultorios
populares) and clinics, focusing on in-takes, clinical
interactions and waiting rooms;
2) accompanied neighborhood
Health Committee (HC) members as they went on household visits
and to meetings and rallies;
3) observed daily interactions
in homes and communities; and
4) tape-recorded public meetings.
Principal
sites were visited by multiple ethnographers to cross-check
data. Documentary materials include media coverage, photographs,
official documents, websites and video documentaries.
Survey
After
conducting the interviews, we surveyed 270 heads-of-household in
these areas (except Delta Amacuro) by sampling every tenth
house in blocks selected at random regarding healthcare utilization,
assessments of MBA, participation in HCs, definitions of
health and political views. Half were high school graduates;
17 percent had gone on to higher education. Chávez
supporters made up 48 percent of respondents while 10 percent
were aligned with the opposition or other parties and 36
percent listed no political alignment. Survey data will be
reported more extensively elsewhere.
