Venezuelan migrant population in Colombia: health indicators in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract

<ns4:p><ns4:bold>Background:</ns4:bold> The number of Venezuelan migrants in Colombia has dramatically increased over the past years, which poses great challenges to the Colombian health system. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare some health indicators related to the Sustainable Development Goals between the Venezuelan migrant population and the Colombian population.</ns4:p><ns4:p> <ns4:bold>Methods:</ns4:bold> A longitudinal, descriptive analysis of the maternal mortality ratio; the neonatal, infant and under-five mortality; the proportionate mortality due to undernourishment; and the rates of alleged sexual felony, intimate partner violence and domestic violence in the Venezuelan migrant population in Colombia and in the Colombian population in the 2015-2019 period was conducted. Maternal and child health and undernourishment indicators were estimated for the 2015-18 period, while the gender-based violence indicators were obtained only for 2018-19, since those were the years with information available for each of these indicators. Data was extracted from official sources, such as the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE), National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences (INMLCF) and Migración Colombia. The categorical and numerical variables were described through percentages and rates, respectively.</ns4:p><ns4:p> <ns4:bold>Results:</ns4:bold> Venezuelan migrants in Colombia had higher rates of maternal, neonatal, infant and under-five mortality, as well as proportionate mortality due to undernourishment, than the Colombian population throughout the study years, although the difference between them decreased at the end of the period. As for the gender-based violence indicators, the Colombian population showed higher rates than the Venezuelan migrants, and both Colombian and Venezuelan female victims showed higher rates in these violence indicators than their male counterparts of the same nationality.</ns4:p><ns4:p> <ns4:bold>Conclusions:</ns4:bold> Some apparent inequalities still persist despite the efforts of the Colombian government to attend to the health needs of the Venezuelan migrant population. Colombia must keep and strengthen migratory inclusion in its public policies to impact on migrants’ health.</ns4:p>

Perinatal Outcomes Among Venezuelan Immigrants in Colombia: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…The first initiative enabled health services access for regular migrants, and comprehensive care for pregnant women and children less than a year old, independently of their migratory status; while irregular migrants can only access emergency services. [ 6 ] The second strategy outlined investment in health services, humanitarian needs including water, sanitation and hygiene, resources for education, and employment opportunities [ 7 ].…”

Longitudinal health survey of women from Venezuela in Colombia (ELSA-VENCOL): First report

“…While national information systems have been important for monitoring the health needs of Venezuelan migrants and their use of health services, they still have several limitations [ 21 ]. Health information that is obtained from these sources largely depends on access to health services, which is low among migrants.…”

“…Health information that is obtained from these sources largely depends on access to health services, which is low among migrants. Coverage is also limited and there are known lags and problems with the quality of migrants’ health information [ 21 ]. In addition, the scope of these data is limited, as they do not allow the use of a multidimensional approach to migrant health and are therefore insufficient to assess and monitor migrant health at the population level.…”

Longitudinal health survey of women from Venezuela in Colombia (ELSA-VENCOL): first report

“…There is the fact that the health information that is obtained largely depends on access to health services, which is low among migrants. The coverage is also limited and there are lags and problems with the quality of the health information on migrants [14]. In addition, the scope of these data is limited, as they do not enable the use of a multidimensional approach to migrant health, and they are insufficient for evaluating and monitoring migrant health at the population level.…”