Health of International Migrant Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review

Oliva-Arocas, Adriana; Benavente, Pierina; Ronda, Elena; Díaz, Esperanza

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.816597

Cited by 18 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…With regard to the recommendations in the field of research on migration and health [ 92 ], although definitions and classifications of migrant groups were incomplete or omitted in some of the studies selected, most of the migrants presented in the studies included in this scoping review belong to groups in very vulnerable situations: refugees and asylum seekers, undocumented migrants, and precarious migrant workers. Based on the existing evidence, different migrant workers, not only those in precarious situations, have experienced the loss of jobs and/or decreasing wages affecting their health and living conditions [ 3 , 93 ]. More focus is needed on the impact that COVID-19 has had on the health and food security status of different types of international migrant workers in different countries.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted different aspects of life. The virus has killed more than six million people around the world [ 1 ], and the measures to control the spread of the virus have affected people’s mental and physical health globally [ 2 , 3 ]. In addition, COVID-19’s containment measures and the resulting global economic recession have had several devastating outcomes [ 4 , 5 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Food Insecurity among International Migrants during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review

Ahmed

Benavente

Díaz

2023

IJERPH

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The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and the measures imposed to control it have impacted food security globally, particularly among vulnerable populations. Food insecurity, in turn, has repercussions on health, exacerbating pre-existing inequalities. This scoping review maps the literature describing associations between the COVID-19 pandemic and food insecurity among migrants, with a particular view toward health. A total of 909 papers were extracted through four electronic databases, and 46 studies were included. The migrant populations described originated mainly from Latin America (11/46) and were located in North America (21/46). Most studies included refugees and asylum seekers (20/46). The main challenges described were financial hardship (28/46), the effect of migrants’ documentation status on using public food aid (13/46), and the suspension of or reduction in humanitarian assistance due to the economic recession (7/46). The impact of food insecurity on migrants’ mental and physical health was described in 26 of the 46 studies. Authorities in all destination countries should focus their attention and efforts into ensuring nutrition security for migrants in a holistic way, including their economic and legal integration, to be better prepared for health crises in the future.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Food Insecurity among International Migrants during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review

Ahmed

Benavente

Díaz

2023

IJERPH

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“…In the context of the issues raised in the Introduction, Orjuela‐Grimm et al (2022) issue a call for a new interdisciplinary research agenda to document the food insecurity dynamics and experiences of migrants on the move. In the context of the pandemic, Oliva‐Arocas et al (2022) note that migrants are ‘a group specifically affected but poorly studied’. There has been a particular dearth of analysis on the impacts of COVID‐19 on the food security of migrant populations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pathways to food insecurity: Migration, hukou and COVID‐19 in Nanjing, China

Crush

Zhong

2022

Population Space and Place

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The COVID‐19 pandemic has issued significant challenges to food systems and the food security of migrants in cities. In China, there have been no studies to date focusing on the food security of migrants during the pandemic. To fill this gap, an online questionnaire survey of food security in Nanjing City, China, was conducted in March 2020. This paper situates the research findings in the general literature on the general migrant experience during the pandemic under COVID and the specifics of the Chinese policy of hukou. Using multiple linear regression and ordered logistic regression, the paper examines the impact of migration status on food security during the pandemic. The paper finds that during the COVID‐19 outbreak in 2020, households without local Nanjing hukou were more food insecure than those with Nanjing hukou. The differences related more to the absolute quantity of food intake, rather than reduction in food quality or in levels of anxiety over food access. Migrants in China and elsewhere during COVID‐19 experienced three pathways to food insecurity—an income gap, an accessibility gap, and a benefits gap. This conceptual framework is used to structure the discussion and interpretation of survey findings and also has wider potential applicability.

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“…Their lack of financial means has an impact on accessing decent housing and the health system; they are faced with difficulties in registering and obtaining a health card in a health system with unequal provisions. This discourages IMs from accessing health services out of fear of being turned away or unable to pay for them (García et al, 2021; Oliva‐Arocas et al, 2022). ISs consist of vulnerable migrant population groups; many IMs live in abandoned farmhouses or shacks they built themselves, far from urban centres.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Jiménez-Lasserrotte

Granero‐Molina

Galindo

et al. 2023

Journal of Advanced Nursing

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Aims:The objective of this study was to describe and understand irregular migrants' (IMs') experiences of health disparities while living in informal settlements (ISs) during the COVID-19 pandemic.Design: Qualitative descriptive study. Methods: Thirty-four IMs originating from different African countries living in ISs took part in this study. Data were collected between January and March 2022 through three focus groups and 17 in-depth interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative data with ATLAS.ti computer software. Results: Three main themes emerged: (1) Extreme vulnerability: ISs and abuse; (2) Inequality in health treatment has increased during COVID-19; and (3) The impact of COVID-19 on the health of IMs: help from non-governmental organizations and nurses. Conclusion:Irregular migrants are at a higher risk of exposure to COVID-19 due to their precarious living conditions, administrative situation and access to the health system. It is recommended that specific programmes be strengthened to improve health care for this population. Impact:What problem did the study address? This study examines IMs' experiences of health disparities during the COVID-19 pandemic.What were the main findings? IMs are at higher risk of exposure to COVID-19 due to social, health, housing and work inequalities. Community health nurses alongside non-governmental organizations have facilitated the implementation of measures to protect this population against COVID-19.Where and on whom will the research have an impact? With the aim of improving care for IMs, strategies have been suggested for health institutions to address problems relating to accessing the health system, and to promote networking between nongovernmental organizations and community health nurses.

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Health of International Migrant Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review

Cited by 18 publications

References 54 publications

Food Insecurity among International Migrants during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review

Food Insecurity among International Migrants during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review

Pathways to food insecurity: Migration, hukou and COVID‐19 in Nanjing, China

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

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