The impact of COVID‐19 on migrant women in son Gotleu (Palma) and the development of outreach tools to improve health and social care

Abstract

Aims The objectives of this research protocol are as follows: to examine the influence of the COVID‐19 pandemic on health and social care for migrant women in the Son Gotleu district of Palma de Mallorca, Spain, and to develop outreach tools to target this specific group. Design This is a qualitative study that uses content analysis to obtain in‐depth knowledge of personal experience (manifest content) and contextual experience (latent content) in a specific social setting. Methods The study population are migrant women living in Son Gotleu district, who are segmented by their age and experience of COVID‐19, defined as positive or negative according to whether or not they have been infected with the disease. Results The shortcomings and needs relating to communication and health care that affect this group's current and future quality of life will be identified. Conclusion The study of migrant women offers a gateway allowing vulnerability in health care to be detected. An awareness of their needs will allow prototype tools to be developed to facilitate communication and care for general and acute health needs between the scientific community and the vulnerable population.

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

“…Studies suggest that the COVID‐19 pandemic is widening the social, economic and health gap that characterizes the migrant population in an irregular situation (Allande‐Cussó et al, 2022). The exclusion and vulnerability linked to ISs increases the risk of diseases that can affect the health of this group, raising more social and health inequalities (García et al, 2021; García‐Pazo et al, 2022). In line with the results of this study, McNeely et al (2020) confirm the inaccessibility to basic services.…”

“…Added to this factor is a lack of knowledge about the disease or the availability of vaccination, as well as a low perception of the risk of the disease (Thomas et al, 2021). With the closure of borders in Morocco and mandatory isolation measures in Spain, many of the IMs were living outdoors and unable to look for any type of food to cover their basic needs (García-Pazo et al, 2022). In this regard, NGOs play an important role in meeting the basic needs of vaccine and helping them to trust in the health system (Thomas et al, 2021).…”

“…Environmental conditions can be a threat to public health and negatively impact the physical and mental health of this population (Oliva‐Arocas et al, 2022). IMs experience violence, social marginalization, hunger, low‐income jobs and a high prevalence of diseases such as diabetes or cardiac disorders that promote the development of infectious diseases such as SARs‐CoV‐2 (COVID‐19) (García‐Pazo et al, 2022). COVID‐19 has caused an unprecedented crisis, killing millions of people around the world.…”