Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on vulnerable groups, including homeless persons and migrants, in France: A qualitative study

Abstract

Social inequalities tended to increase in the context of the pandemic, particularly in relation to the measures taken to manage and reduce the risk of COVID-19. When lockdown measures required the general population “to stay home”, what were homeless people expected to do? The ECHO study is a cross-sectional, descriptive study with a convergent mixed-method design. Data were collected across shelters in France both during and immediately following the lockdown (April – June 2020). This article presents the study’s qualitative findings, with a focus on understanding both the experiences and perceptions among these populations of the measures taken to limit the COVID-19 infection. A total of 26 semi-directed individual interviews were conducted across seven shelters in both Lyon (42%) and Paris (58%). Data were analysed using thematic content analysis with partial blinded coding. Four key themes were identified: 1- Reactions to the introduction of lockdown: a sudden implementation reminiscent of prior violent or traumatic circumstances amongst participants, 2- Accommodation during lockdown: participants’ conflicting visions of the shelter, 3- Influence of the media and public communication: an abundant flow of information impacting participant’s wellbeing and representations on the pandemic, and 4- The individual impact of lockdown: perceived health and limitations to daily life activities. The most vulnerable populations have borne the heaviest burden during the pandemic. It is therefore crucial that we improve both the availability of information, and the health literacy of, all groups within the national population.

“Living in Confinement, Stopped in Time”: Migrant Social Vulnerability, Coping and Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown in France

“…Analysis of the migrants’ narratives showed how these negative effects on their social, physical, and psychological well-being converged during the lockdown. Our study findings are consistent with similar studies conducted in France [ 2 , 3 , 41 ]. First, the gap in mental and physical healthcare for migrants only worsened during the lockdown as migrants were cut off from their regular social networks of volunteers and aid workers.…”

“…Slightly more than half of the participants were from an African country (55%), while 45% were from Afghanistan. The sociodemographic data for this study is comparable to similar studies with migrants in France [ 2 , 3 ].…”

“…Evidence demonstrates that the pandemic disproportionately affected socially vul-nerable populations, including migrants [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]. The pandemic exposed and exacerbated health and social inequities among migrant and ethnic/racial groups [ 6 ].…”

“…Less is known about the firsthand impact of the COVID-19 lockdowns, specifically on migrant populations in France. One recent French qualitative study in Lyon and Paris on homeless individuals and migrants (undocumented, asylum seekers, or refugees) in shelters revealed the negative impact of the first lockdown on these populations [ 2 ]. Similarly, another qualitative article on migrants in France described the negative effects of confinement related to the COVID-19 pandemic on French-speaking Sub-Saharan undocumented migrants [ 3 ].…”

You Are Not Alone: The (In)Visible Homeless and the Role of Social Workers and Related Professionals

“…This absence has negative consequences for vulnerable groups, which requires actions to adapt communication strategies and efforts to reverse this situation. Moreover, some works focus in one specific country, as in the case of France approached by Crouzet et al [ 15 ]. The authors identify the experiences and perceptions of the vulnerable population, specifically homeless people and migrants, through qualitative data to understand how they perceive and react to the measures to limit COVID-19 infections.…”