Nursing care for migrant and refugee families: emerging issue

ABSTRACT

The impact of migratory movements is, worldwide, an emerging theme for nursing because of the health implications of individuals and their migrant or refugee families. These movements, whether voluntary or involuntary, are motivated by social, economic, cultural, religious or environmental factors.1International migration is a concern for achieving the goals of the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 and it is estimated that 258 million people live in a country other than their birth, of which 68.5 million are refugees and represents an increase of 49% since 2000.2The terms migrants and refugees are used interchangeably, but their meanings are different. Refugees are out of their country of origin because they fear persecution, conflict, violence or other circumstances that impose the need for "international protection." Already, migrant individuals live a voluntary process; for example, someone who crosses a border in search of better economic opportunities.3These movements bring significant socio-cultural impacts related to the abandonment of material goods; loss of employment; undocumented status, food insecurity, increased morbidity and mortality. In addition, the process of acculturation involves the rupture of social networks, changes in the way of life, uprooting, humiliation and the sensation of not belonging to any place. These are barriers that influence the level of health of families.4