Irregular migrants' experiences of health disparities while living in informal settlements during the COVID‐19 pandemic

Abstract

Aims:The objective of this study was to describe and understand irregular migrants' (IMs') experiences of health disparities while living in informal settlements (ISs) during the COVID-19 pandemic.Design: Qualitative descriptive study. Methods: Thirty-four IMs originating from different African countries living in ISs took part in this study. Data were collected between January and March 2022 through three focus groups and 17 in-depth interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative data with ATLAS.ti computer software. Results: Three main themes emerged: (1) Extreme vulnerability: ISs and abuse; (2) Inequality in health treatment has increased during COVID-19; and (3) The impact of COVID-19 on the health of IMs: help from non-governmental organizations and nurses. Conclusion:Irregular migrants are at a higher risk of exposure to COVID-19 due to their precarious living conditions, administrative situation and access to the health system. It is recommended that specific programmes be strengthened to improve health care for this population. Impact:What problem did the study address? This study examines IMs' experiences of health disparities during the COVID-19 pandemic.What were the main findings? IMs are at higher risk of exposure to COVID-19 due to social, health, housing and work inequalities. Community health nurses alongside non-governmental organizations have facilitated the implementation of measures to protect this population against COVID-19.Where and on whom will the research have an impact? With the aim of improving care for IMs, strategies have been suggested for health institutions to address problems relating to accessing the health system, and to promote networking between nongovernmental organizations and community health nurses.

Psychological distress among unemployed migrants settling in southwestern Spain: A cross-sectional study

“…In this study, the population reported a mean age of 33.29 years (SD: 9.11), 55.88% were men and 44.12% were women, with a mean length of residency in Spain of 5.09 years, and 35.29% of them did not work while 64.71% of them worked in greenhouses. [43] In this case, 2 similar realities coexist in southern Spain (from east to west). Another point to note was that the participants who reported their willingness to stay in Spain presented a higher mean score compared to those who wished to return to their country of origin (14 vs 12, respectively).…”

“…In this study, the population reported a mean age of 33.29 years (SD: 9.11), 55.88% were men and 44.12% were women, with a mean length of residency in Spain of 5.09 years, and 35.29% of them did not work while 64.71% of them worked in greenhouses. [ 43 ] In this case, 2 similar realities coexist in southern Spain (from east to west).…”

“…In a qualitative study conducted in south-eastern Spain, it was identified that irregular migrants were at a higher risk of exposure to COVID-19 psychological consequences due to their precarious living conditions, administrative situation, and limited access to the health care system. [ 43 ] Indeed, the barriers to accessing the health system could be the result of the coalition of cultural experiences, marginalization and system discrimination, hence cultural mediators can perform essential work during the health promoting interventions to diminish these inequities of the health system. [ 43 , 46 ] Living in informal settlements was also a determining factor in the development of psychological distress and has a strong influence on refugee safety.…”

“…[ 43 ] Indeed, the barriers to accessing the health system could be the result of the coalition of cultural experiences, marginalization and system discrimination, hence cultural mediators can perform essential work during the health promoting interventions to diminish these inequities of the health system. [ 43 , 46 ] Living in informal settlements was also a determining factor in the development of psychological distress and has a strong influence on refugee safety. [ 47 ] Saab et al, in 2020, [ 48 ] analyzed the Lebanese population living in settlements and revealed high levels of psychological distress associated with the support by humanitarian organizations, resilience, and economic factors.…”

Experiences of male irregular migrants during their migration process and reception in Spain: lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic

“…IMs lacked sufficient resources to be able to mitigate the consequences of the pandemic (18,19). Their legal status was an obstacle to accessing regularized employment or state benefits (20), thus increasing their exposure to the virus (21,22). They also had poor living conditions (23), which made it impossible to comply with virus prevention measures (24).…”