Perceptions of Health Needs among Venezuelan Women Crossing the Border in Northern Chile during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

In parallel to the COVID-19 pandemic, Chile has experienced a significant influx of international migrants, many of whom are Venezuelan women who have entered the country through unauthorized crossing points. In this context, gender and migration intersect as the social determinants of health, leading to their experiencing a range of adverse events. This poses important challenges in terms of short- and long-term health outcomes, the social determinants of health, and access to healthcare. This study aims at describing Venezuelan women’s perceptions of their health needs as they migrate to Chile via an unauthorized crossing point, with a focus on adverse events throughout the migration cycle, self-reported health needs, and responses. A qualitative case study was carried out with 22 participants in the Antofagasta region of Chile, including Venezuelan migrant women, healthcare professionals, and social workers from the public healthcare system, stakeholders from non-governmental and international organizations, and local government officials. The semi-structured, individual interviews were analyzed thematically. The results show that Venezuelan women face a range of adverse events throughout the migration cycle. The perceived health needs that are reported are sometimes linked to these adverse events or existed prior to migration and were exacerbated throughout the migratory cycle. Addressing these physical and mental health needs is essential for short- and long-term individual and public health; however, despite substantial efforts to ameliorate the situation, persisting gaps in access to care are reported.

Experiences of Pregnant Venezuelan Migrants/Refugees in Brazil, Ecuador and Peru: A Qualitative Analysis

“…In addition to challenges previously identi ed, our data provides insights into xenophobia in healthcare settings. A publication by IOM states that the discrimination Venezuelan migrants/refugees women experience in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru is a multifactorial phenomenon [29]. They propose that there are 3 main groups that experience high levels of discrimination: 1) LGBTQ+, 2) women who identify as Afro-Venezuelan and mestizo, and 3) women with irregular migration status [30].…”

“…Rates of violence inside shelters were high and women had a hard time coping with these incidents [31]. Another study by Blukaz et al, discussed that GBV particularly common for migrating Venezuelan women [29]. GBV can be de ned as "violence directed against a person because of that person's gender, or violence that affects persons of a particular gender disproportionately" [30].…”

“…GBV can be de ned as "violence directed against a person because of that person's gender, or violence that affects persons of a particular gender disproportionately" [30]. Women are vulnerable while crossing borders due to the power imbalances between themselves and the border security with transactional sex occurring commonly and often unspoken of [29,33,34]. The violence experienced speci cally by pregnant Venezuelan women is not documented in the scienti c literature, a gap which this study seeks in part to ll.…”

Necesidades en salud sexual y reproductiva en mujeres migrantes venezolanas

“…Las migrantes pueden enfrentar barreras para acceder a servicios de atención médica (6) . Es fundamental que los sistemas de salud en los países receptores reconozcan y aborden estas necesidades de salud reproductiva en las migrantes y sus niños (7)(8)(9)(10) , proporcionando servicios culturalmente sensibles, accesibles y de calidad para garantizar el bienestar y la autonomía reproductiva de esta población.…”

Barriers and facilitators to access sexual and reproductive health services among young migrants in Tarapacá, Chile: a qualitative study

“…Furthermore, international migrants who experience structural vulnerability face greater exposure to social exclusion, marginalisation and limited access to health services, both in transit and upon arrival in the host country [ 11 – 14 ]. Barriers to access healthcare reported by international migrants in Chile include lack of compliance with the decree mentioned earlier by public healthcare centres, lack of culturally and linguistically relevant information for migrant communities on their right to health and on where to seek health care, as well as administrative barriers such as extended waiting times and limited available time for medical appointments [ 11 , 12 , 14 , 15 ]. Specifically, young migrants might encounter difficulties finding accurate information on accessing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services; they may fear experienced or anticipated discrimination; or those who are undocumented might be afraid of accessing the health system due to possible deportations [ 11 , 12 , 14 ].…”