Food insecurity and coping strategies in international migrants in transit through Mexico

Caroline Irene Deschak; Cesar Infante; Verónica Mundo-Rosas; Alondra Coral Aragón-Gama; Manuela Orjuela-Grimm

doi:10.1016/j.jmh.2022.100099

Food insecurity and coping strategies in international migrants in transit through Mexico

J Migr Health. 2022 Apr 4:5:100099. doi: 10.1016/j.jmh.2022.100099. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Caroline Irene Deschak¹, Cesar Infante², Verónica Mundo-Rosas³, Alondra Coral Aragón-Gama⁴, Manuela Orjuela-Grimm⁵

Affiliations

¹ Mexican School of Public Health, Colonia Santa Maria Ahuacatitlan, National Institute of Public Health, Av. Universidad 655, Cuernavaca, Morelos CP 62100, México.
² Center for Health Systems Research, Colonia Santa Maria Ahuacatitlan, National Institute of Public Health, Av. Universidad 655, Cuernavaca, Morelos CP 62100, México.
³ Center for Evaluation and Survey Research, Colonia Santa Maria Ahuacatitlan, National Institute of Public Health, Av. Universidad 655, Cuernavaca, Morelos CP 62100, México.
⁴ Center for Nutrition and Health Research, Colonia Santa Maria Ahuacatitlan, National Institute of Public Health, Av. Universidad 655, Cuernavaca, Morelos CP 62100, México.
⁵ Department of Epidemiology and Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, 722 west 168th Street, Rm 730, New York, NY 10032, United States.

Abstract

Background: Although migrants in transit through Mexico have been known to consume insufficient food, data measuring food insecurity (FI) in this vulnerable population is scarce. This study assesses FI in migrants transiting Mexico by examining economic, physical and social food access.

Methods: Using a mixed-methods design and a convenience sample of migrants residing in a temporary shelter in Saltillo, Coahuila in northern Mexico, we applied 1) the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (adapted), and 2) a semi-structured interview exploring FI coping strategies.

Results: Of the 54 participants, 74.1% reported moderate or severe FI and 24.1% reported severe FI, especially reduced food quantity. Interviewees reported poverty, cargo train travel, and crime as FI contributing factors. All interviewees used FI coping strategies, principally altering food intake and using social resources. Many strategies reported implied negative consequences for both nutrition and general health.

Conclusions: This study provides a comprehensive assessment of FI in a mobile population using a standard international measure. Results confirm widespread and severe FI, highlighting a potential humanitarian crisis requiring both national and international attention. Further research is critical to inform strategies for guaranteeing the right to food access for migrants in transit through third (non-destination) countries.

Keywords: Coping; Food access; Food security; Mexico; Migration; Transit.