Perception of health/illness associated with gender roles displaced women located in Medellín, Colombia, 2013-2014

Abstract

The objective of this study is to describe the experience of displaced women in Medellín, Colombia, and how this circumstance has an impact on the roles and perceptions of health/illness. This was a qualitative study using symbolic interactionism. Instruments from the Grounded Theory methodology were used. The study population was composed of adult women who have been displaced for at least 1 year and who live in 3 settlements in the city of Medellín. The instruments for data collection were 15 semi-structured interviews, 6 focus groups, and 6 in-depth interviews. Coding, categorization and interpretation, and, lastly, theorizing were used for analysis. What women go through displacement affects the roles they play both in relation to their family - one of the most significant components of their lives -, and in the social/community and health/illness processes, turning them into people with high degrees of vulnerability and social marginalization. Women who have been displaced face multiple obstacles, losses, and transformations, leading to a decline in their physical and mental health.