Maternal and perinatal health among pregnant patients in the context of a migratory crisis

Abstract

ObjectiveTo compare maternal and perinatal outcomes of migrant Venezuelan women with local pregnant patients in a Colombian institution in the context of a migratory crisis.Study DesignThis cross‐sectional study included 11 304 deliveries from the Clínica de Maternidad Rafael Calvo in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, a tertiary referral center on the north coast of Colombia. Data on maternal demographics and perinatal outcomes were obtained by chart review.ResultsIn total, 595 patients were identified as Venezuelan migrants, and their perinatal outcomes were compared against those of 10 709 local pregnant patients. Despite similar baseline maternal conditions in both groups, poorer prenatal follow‐up care (3 [1–5] vs. 5 [4–7] visits; P < 0.001) and severe complications were more common in Venezuelan migrant pregnant patients and their children. In addition, maternal hypertension was significantly more common in migrants (11.4% [68/595] vs. 8.3% [887/10709]; P = 0.009). Furthermore, in the group of pregnant migrant patients, the rates of severe maternal morbidity (13.4% [80/575] vs. 9.45%, [1013/10709]; P = 0.002), neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (22/595 [3.7%] vs. 237/10709 [2.23%]; P = 0.03), and perinatal mortality (11/586 [1.88%] vs. 67/10651 [0.63%]; P = 0.003) were significantly higher than in the local pregnant population.ConclusionForced migration during pregnancy may be associated with poorer prenatal care, which may predispose women and their newborns to more frequent adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Using Respondent-Driven Sampling (RDS) to Identify the Healthcare Needs among Women of Reproductive Age Who Migrated from Venezuela to Brazil, 2018–2021

“…Migrant pregnant women are considered highly vulnerable and to have greater healthcare needs in terms of monitoring pregnancy. Studies have shown that migration during pregnancy may result in more adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes [ 5 , 10 ].…”

“…Previous studies with Venezuelan migrants in South American countries have shown that access to healthcare services is more complicated among migrant populations. Social integration, language barriers and discrimination are factors associated with inequality in healthcare delivery [ 9 ], and these factors are also associated with worse health outcomes [ 10 ]. Furthermore, illegal migrants face even more difficulties in accessing medical care due to their immigration status and lack of documentation in the host country [ 11 ].…”

Editorial: Women facing crises

“…Reflecting the global scope of the problem, this issue contains, among others, reports from South Korea, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Mexico, Colombia, Palestine, and Turkey on SRHR outcomes, mitigation and response strategies to crisis 2–11 . Included articles highlight the vulnerability of refugees 12 and the disastrous impact regime change can have on access to services and maternal outcomes 5 .…”