Reproductive health among Venezuelan migrant women at the north western border of Brazil: A qualitative study

Maria Y Makuch; Maria Jose D Osis; Cinthia Brasil; Helder S F de Amorim; Luis Bahamondes

doi:10.1016/j.jmh.2021.100060

Reproductive health among Venezuelan migrant women at the north western border of Brazil: A qualitative study

J Migr Health. 2021 Jul 7:4:100060. doi: 10.1016/j.jmh.2021.100060. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Maria Y Makuch^{1

2}, Maria Jose D Osis^{1

2

3}, Cinthia Brasil⁴, Helder S F de Amorim⁵, Luis Bahamondes^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Caixa Postal 6181, Campinas 13084-971, SP, Brazil.
² Centre for Reproductive Health in Campinas (Cemicamp), Campinas, SP, Brazil.
³ Department of Collective Health, Faculty of Medicine of Jundiaí, Jundiai, SP, Brazil.
⁴ Direction of Basic Attention Care, Health Secretary, Municipality of Boa Vista, Boa Vista, RR, Brazil.
⁵ Direction of Basic Attention Care, Health Secretary, State of Roraima, Boa Vista, RR, Brazil.

Abstract

Background: Venezuela has been immersed in an economic and social crisis with a high number of migrant people. An important proportion of Venezuelan migrants have crossed the north western border Brazil-Venezuela were the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has established 13 shelters. Our objectives were to know perspectives and views of Venezuelan migrant women hosted at UNHCR shelters on some SRH issues.

Methods: We conducted a qualitative study between November 2019 and February 2020 with 12 focus group discussions (FGDs), with 111 Venezuelan migrant women of reproductive age (18-49 years old). FGDs were performed in a closed space that guaranteed confidentiality, were recorded, verbatim transcribed and data were analised for thematic manifest content.

Findings: The themes identified were perspectives on: i) health care for pregnant and postnatal women, ii) access to modern contraceptive methods, and iii) HIV and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Despite the general satisfaction with obstetric care, women noted few challenges pertaining to their experiences during first entry to antenatal care, labour, delivery and postnatal care. They were in agreement that access to long-acting reversible contraceptives was difficult, mainly to the copper-intrauterine device (IUD); which when available it was erratic. Hormonal-IUD and implants were almost inexistent. This was of major concern to the women, as it prevented them from the ability to plan their reproductive lives. Although knowledge on STDs/HIV prevention and transmission was adequate; the predominance of traditional gender imbalance in the relations was observed and these attitudes have been discussed as a barrier for migrant women to protect themselves against HIV/STD infection.

Conclusion: These migrant women needed help to understand the language and functioning of the healthcare system, to overcome barriers and challenges while seeking access to SRH care. They faced significant gender vulnerability that needs to be addressed within their new life. Our findings could be useful for health authorities and international organisations to start actions to improve SRH and mitigate suffering.

Keywords: Brazil; Focus groups; Migrants; Qualitative study; Sexual and reproductive health; Venezuela; Women.