The Health Experiences of Young Internal Migrants in Ghana—Identifying Priorities for Sustainable Health Promotion

Abstract

The Sustainable Development Goals underscore the importance of migration to the achievement of health, and global migration presents both opportunities and challenges for the development of health promotion. Despite such recognition, very little work has focused on health promotion with young migrants, including how migration shapes opportunities for positive health. This paper reports findings from a qualitative study that sought to advance knowledge of the health experiences of young internal migrants in Ghana (n = 14) and considers ways to harness these perspectives in the development of sustainable health promotion solutions. Methods included community consultations, participatory workshops and interviews with young migrants aged 14–21 years. Findings highlighted how the social determinants of health affected young migrants’ opportunities to support their health. Our analysis highlights how a lack of access to adequate food, shelter and health services often resulted in the adoption of alternative health practices, including the use of herbal remedies. Supporting positive livelihoods as part of tackling the social determinants of health is crucial to mitigate the impacts of poverty and inequalities on young migrants’ health practices and outcomes. We conclude by considering how to advance relevant health promotion with young migrants living in contexts of vulnerability.

Internal Migration and Access to Health Insurance in Ghana: A Gendered Perspective

“…There is a diverse but targeted focus on welfare among migrants, particularly, female migrants from Northern Ghana in urban areas in the south (Adjei et al, 2017;Awumbila & Ardayfio-Schandorf, 2008;Kwankye et al, 2007). In recent times, research on gender, migration and health have been more qualitative in approach and focused on smaller selected geographical areas in Ghana (Malagón et al 2021;Spencer et al, 2022;Opuni et al, 2023). Studies on the gendered dynamics of migration impact on access to healthcare within the Ghanaian context using nationally representative dataset, which will allow for generalisation of findings are nonexistent.…”