Migrants in Latin America: Disparities in Health Status and in Access to Healthcare

Pierola, Denisse; Chatruc, Marisol Rodríguez

doi:10.2139/ssrn.3682760

Cited by 1 publication

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“…Timely detection and management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, and other genital infections can prevent related morbidity and mortality among, and transmission from, migrants travelling through Central America. Recent studies on transit migration within Latin America and the European Union (EU) have noted that improving access to primary health care, including STI and HIV testing, among migrant people in transit can significantly reduce future health consequences of untreated conditions, as well as provide direct and indirect economic advantages for the host countries ( 17 , 18 ). HIV/STI transmission can occur partly due to high risk of sexual violence and abuse: 180 cases of rape within the Gap were reported to Doctors Without Borders during the period May-September 2021 ( 8 , 16 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“You are the first person to ask me how I’m doing sexually”: sexual and reproductive health needs and sexual behaviours among migrant people in transit through Panama

Panchenko,

Mayaud,

Baranyi Nicholls

et al. 2023

Front. Reprod. Health

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BackgroundUnprecedented numbers of migrant people transiting through the Darién Gap at the Panama-Colombia border were recorded in 2021 and 2022. Data on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs and service provision among migrant people in transit is generally extremely sparse. This study aimed to collect personal accounts of sexual behaviours and SRH needs and access to services among migrant people in transit through Panama.MethodsWe conducted a rapid-assessment qualitative study using semi-structured interviews during June-July 2022. Participants were migrant people in transit at three locations across Panama: (i) at the Migrant Reception Station (MRS) in Darién province at the Panama-Colombia border, (ii) in the city of David near the Costa Rica-Panama border, and (iii) at the Costa Rica-Panama border. Migrant peoples (>18 years) were invited to participate using purposive sampling.ResultsOverall, 26 adult migrant people (16 men, 10 women) across the three sites participated in the study. We identified three overarching themes from the interviews: (1) increased need for SRH service provision, (2) experiences of sex, relationships, and transactional sex, and (3) vulnerability to exploitation and sexual violence. All accounts reported that no formal SRH care was present during the journey through the Gap and described as inconsistent at the MRS in Darién. Provision of gynaecological or genital examinations, laboratory testing for urinary tract or STI, and prenatal care were mentioned to be the most pressing needs. Participants reported a change in their sexual behaviour while travelling, whether a decline in sexual libido or preference towards short-term partners. Most female participants recounted constantly fearing sexual violence during the journey through the Gap and several respondents reported witnessing incidents of sexual and other forms of violence.ConclusionThere are significant unmet needs regarding SRH care during the journey of migrant people transiting through the Darién Gap, at the MRS in the Darién province, and across Panama. Provision of antenatal care, rapid testing for HIV/STI, condom distribution, and care for victims of sexual violence would significantly reduce adverse SRH outcomes and improve the well-being of migrant people, even when in transit.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%