ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Objective. To understand the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) experiences of migrant women and girls of reproductive age (15-49 years) from the Northern Triangle of Central America (El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras) during their journey to the United States. Methods. A descriptive, qualitative research design included 39 in-depth interviews with migrant women and unaccompanied migrant girls from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras from January to June 2022. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling. Interviews were transcribed, coded and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results. Migrant women and girls lack information and resources to manage their SRH during migration. The SRH of those traveling with smugglers is compromised due to their limited access to menstrual pads, water and sanitation services; the risks of transactional sex and sexual violence; the high risk of sexually transmitted infections; the inability to report sexual violence; the lack of access to SRH and prenatal services; and limited knowledge about their sexual and reproductive rights. Conclusions. There is a significant need for improved interventions during the predeparture phase of migration to inform migrant women and girls about the SRH risks they may encounter and to provide information and resources to support their SRH throughout their journey. Special attention should be directed towards trying to reach girls and women who will travel with smugglers.
RESUMEN Objetivo. Conocer las experiencias relacionadas con la salud sexual y reproductiva (SSR) de mujeres y niñas migrantes en edad reproductiva (15-49 años) del Triángulo Norte de América Central (El Salvador, Guatemala y Honduras) durante su viaje hacia Estados Unidos. Métodos. Se llevó a cabo una investigación descriptiva y cualitativa que incluyó 39 entrevistas en profundidad a mujeres y niñas no acompañadas migrantes de El Salvador, Guatemala y Honduras, entre enero y junio de 2022. El reclutamiento de las participantes se llevó a cabo mediante un muestreo intencional. Las entrevistas fueron transcritas, codificadas y analizadas mediante análisis temático. Resultados. Las mujeres y niñas migrantes carecen de información y recursos para cuidar su SSR durante la migración. La SSR de las personas que viajan con traficantes de personas se ve afectada por un acceso limitado a toallas menstruales, agua y servicios sanitarios; los riesgos del sexo transaccional y la violencia sexual; el alto riesgo de infecciones de transmisión sexual; la imposibilidad de denunciar la violencia sexual; la falta de acceso a servicios de SSR y prenatales; y el conocimiento limitado sobre sus derechos sexuales y reproductivos. Conclusiones. Existe una necesidad significativa de mejorar las intervenciones durante la fase previa a la migración para informar a las mujeres y niñas migrantes sobre los riesgos relacionados con la SSR que pueden encontrar y proporcionar información y recursos para apoyar su SSR a lo largo de su viaje. Debe prestarse especial atención a intentar llegar a las niñas y mujeres que viajarán con traficantes de personas.
RESUMO Objetivo. Conhecer as experiências de saúde sexual e reprodutiva (SSR) de mulheres e meninas migrantes na idade reprodutiva (15-49 anos) do Triângulo Norte da América Central (El Salvador, Guatemala e Honduras) durante sua viagem aos Estados Unidos. Método. Foi realizada uma pesquisa descritiva e qualitativa que incluiu 39 entrevistas em profundidade com mulheres e meninas não acompanhadas migrantes de El Salvador, Guatemala e Honduras, entre janeiro e junho de 2022. As entrevistas foram transcritas, codificadas e analisadas mediante análise temática. Resultados. As mulheres e meninas migrantes carecem de informações e recursos para cuidar seu SSR durante a migração. La SSR das pessoas que viajam com traficantes de pessoas é afetada pelo acesso limitado a absorventes menstruais, água e serviços sanitários; os riscos de sexo transacional e violência sexual; o alto risco de infecções de transmissão sexual; a impossibilidade de denunciar a violência sexual; a falta de acesso a serviços de SSR e pré-natais; e o conhecimento limitado sobre seus direitos sexuais e reprodutivos. Conclusões. Há uma necessidade significativa de melhorar as intervenções durante a fase anterior à migração para informar as mulheres e meninas migrantes sobre os riscos de SSR que podem encontrar e fornecer informações e recursos para apoiar seu SSR ao longo de sua viagem. Deve ser dada atenção especial para tentar chegar as meninas e mulheres que viajarão com traficantes de pessoas.
ABSTRACT
RESUMEN La población migrante internacional en situación irregular (MISI) suele encontrarse en una condición de particular vulnerabilidad que impacta en su salud, y sumado a esto, enfrenta múltiples barreras que dificultan e incluso impiden su acceso a los servicios de salud. La presente revisión tiene por objetivo identificar y describir iniciativas que abordan el acceso a los servicios de salud en población MISI. Para ello, se realizó una revisión narrativa en PubMed, Embase, Health Systems Evidence, Cochrane, LILACS y Scielo entre julio y agosto de 2017. Se encontraron 787 artículos, de los cuales se incluyeron 26, los que dieron cuenta de 31 iniciativas. La mayoría de estas iniciativas se sitúan en América Septentrional (61%), Asia Sudoriental (10%) y Europa Septentrional (10%); se refieren mayoritariamente a servicios de nivel primario (48%) y terciario (52%), servicios de urgencia/emergencia (39%), brindan accesibilidad administrativa (65%) y financiera (45%), y responden a necesidades en la etapa de «destino¼ del proceso migratorio (97%). Se puede concluir que existen diversas iniciativas que abordan la problemática del acceso a los servicios de salud de la población MISI. No obstante, no se hallaron iniciativas dirigidas a la rehabilitación y salud sexual; contacto y calidad; perspectiva de género y competencia cultural en salud.
ABSTRACT The population of international migrants in an irregular situation (IMIS) often finds itself in a condition of particular vulnerability that has an impact on its health. Additionally to this, these migrants face multiple barriers that hinder or even impede their access to health services. This review aims at identifying and describing initiatives that address access to health services in the IMIS population. To this end, a narrative review was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Health Systems Evidence, Cochrane, LILACS, and Scielo, between July and August of 2017. Seven hundred and eighty-seven (787) articles were found, of which 26 have been included, accounting for 31 initiatives. Most of these initiatives are located in North America (61%), South-East Asia (10%), and Northern Europe (10%). They refer mostly to primary (48%) and tertiary (52%) services; urgency/emergency services (39%); provide administrative (65%) and financial accessibility (45%); and respond to needs at the "destination" stage of the migration process (97%). It can be concluded that there are several initiatives that deal with the problems faced by the IMIS population in terms of access to healthcare services. However, no initiatives were found aimed at rehabilitation and sexual health; contact and quality, gender perspective, and cultural competence in health.
Subject(s)
Humans , Emigrants and Immigrants , Health Services Accessibility/organization & administrationABSTRACT
Objective. To identify policies that increase access to health care for undocumented Mexican immigrants. Materials and methods. Four focus groups (n=34 participants) were conducted with uninsured Mexican immigrants in Los Angeles, California. The feasibility and desirability of different policy proposals for increasing access were discussed by each group. Results. Respondents raised significant problems with policies including binational health insurance, expanded employer-provided health insurance, and telemedicine. The only solution with a consensus that the change would be feasible, result in improved access, and they had confidence in was expanded access to community health centers (CHC's). Conclusions. Given the limited access to most specialists at CHC's and the continued barriers to hospital care for those without health insurance, the most effective way of improving the complete range of health services to undocumented immigrants is through immigration reform that will bring these workers under the other health care reform provisions.
Objetivo. Identificar políticas para mejorar el acceso a la salud en migrantes indocumentados mexicanos en los Estados Unidos. Material y métodos. Se realizaron cuatro grupos focales (34 participantes) con migrantes mexicanos sin seguro médico residentes de Los Ángeles, California. Se discutieron la factibilidad y pertinencia de varias propuestas de políticas de mejora en el acceso. Resultados. Los participantes identificaron limitaciones profundas con propuestas como seguro binacional de salud, expansión de seguro por medio de trabajo y programas de telemedicina. La única con consenso de factibilidad, accesibilidad y pertinencia fue el crecimiento de la red de centros a la atención de salud comunitaria (CHC por sus siglas en ingles). Conclusiones. Dado la escasez de especialistas en CHC y las barreras para acudir a hospitales cuando no cuentan con seguro médico en EUA, la manera más eficaz para mejorar acceso para migrantes indocumentados es por medio de una reforma de las leyes de migración.