Barriers and facilitators to access sexual and reproductive health services among young migrants in Tarapacá, Chile: a qualitative study
Abstract Background Chile has become a destination country for immigrants from Latin America, including youth. Guaranteeing access and use of sexual and reproductive health services for young migrants is crucial because of their overlapping experiences of transitioning to a new country and to adulth...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-02-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-17884-5 |
| _version_ | 1797272973048020992 |
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| author | Alexandra Obach Alice Blukacz Michelle Sadler Alejandra Carreño Calderón Báltica Cabieses Carolina Díaz |
| author_facet | Alexandra Obach Alice Blukacz Michelle Sadler Alejandra Carreño Calderón Báltica Cabieses Carolina Díaz |
| author_sort | Alexandra Obach |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Chile has become a destination country for immigrants from Latin America, including youth. Guaranteeing access and use of sexual and reproductive health services for young migrants is crucial because of their overlapping experiences of transitioning to a new country and to adulthood. However, the existing evidence shows barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive healthcare among young migrant populations. In this context, the main objective of this article is to identify the barriers and facilitators that young migrants experience to access sexual and reproductive healthcare in the Tarapacá region of Chile. Methods A qualitative study was conducted in the Tarapacá region of Chile. Semi-structured interviews with 25 young migrants from Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador, as well as 10 health workers, were carried out. The interviews were transcribed and thematically analysed. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Universidad del Desarrollo (#2019-22). Results Young migrants face barriers linked to structural shortcomings within the healthcare system, which may be similar to those faced by the local population. Barriers are also derived from reductionist sexual and reproductive health approaches, which prioritise the prevention of pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, and HIV, with a predominantly heteronormative focus. The prevailing narratives from the health system are those of risk and lack of control and self-care among young people, and they are exacerbated in the case of migrants. Young migrants, especially from the Caribbean, are stereotyped as over-sexualised and liberal in comparison to the local population and believed to be engaging in riskier sexual behaviours that should be kept under check. This may translate into experiences of discrimination and mistreatment when receiving care. Facilitators include good-quality information and community-level interventions. Conclusions This study shows a limited approach to the sexual and reproductive health of young migrants in Chile, severely hampering their reproductive and sexual rights. Policies and initiatives must work towards removing structural barriers, changing narratives, and empowering young migrants regarding their sexual and reproductive health. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T14:37:01Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8e2637a501264f51ac640f563c976f8b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T14:37:01Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-8e2637a501264f51ac640f563c976f8b2024-03-05T20:35:45ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582024-02-0124111510.1186/s12889-024-17884-5Barriers and facilitators to access sexual and reproductive health services among young migrants in Tarapacá, Chile: a qualitative studyAlexandra Obach0Alice Blukacz1Michelle Sadler2Alejandra Carreño Calderón3Báltica Cabieses4Carolina Díaz5Centro de Salud Global Intercultural, Instituto de Ciencias e Innovación en Medicina, Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, y Facultad de Psicología, Universidad del DesarrolloCentro de Salud Global Intercultural, Instituto de Ciencias e Innovación en Medicina, Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, y Facultad de Psicología, Universidad del DesarrolloDepartamento de Historia y Ciencias Sociales, Facultad de Artes Liberales, Universidad Adolfo IbáñezCentro de Salud Global Intercultural, Instituto de Ciencias e Innovación en Medicina, Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, y Facultad de Psicología, Universidad del DesarrolloCentro de Salud Global Intercultural, Instituto de Ciencias e Innovación en Medicina, Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, y Facultad de Psicología, Universidad del DesarrolloCentro de Salud Global Intercultural, Instituto de Ciencias e Innovación en Medicina, Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, y Facultad de Psicología, Universidad del DesarrolloAbstract Background Chile has become a destination country for immigrants from Latin America, including youth. Guaranteeing access and use of sexual and reproductive health services for young migrants is crucial because of their overlapping experiences of transitioning to a new country and to adulthood. However, the existing evidence shows barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive healthcare among young migrant populations. In this context, the main objective of this article is to identify the barriers and facilitators that young migrants experience to access sexual and reproductive healthcare in the Tarapacá region of Chile. Methods A qualitative study was conducted in the Tarapacá region of Chile. Semi-structured interviews with 25 young migrants from Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador, as well as 10 health workers, were carried out. The interviews were transcribed and thematically analysed. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Universidad del Desarrollo (#2019-22). Results Young migrants face barriers linked to structural shortcomings within the healthcare system, which may be similar to those faced by the local population. Barriers are also derived from reductionist sexual and reproductive health approaches, which prioritise the prevention of pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, and HIV, with a predominantly heteronormative focus. The prevailing narratives from the health system are those of risk and lack of control and self-care among young people, and they are exacerbated in the case of migrants. Young migrants, especially from the Caribbean, are stereotyped as over-sexualised and liberal in comparison to the local population and believed to be engaging in riskier sexual behaviours that should be kept under check. This may translate into experiences of discrimination and mistreatment when receiving care. Facilitators include good-quality information and community-level interventions. Conclusions This study shows a limited approach to the sexual and reproductive health of young migrants in Chile, severely hampering their reproductive and sexual rights. Policies and initiatives must work towards removing structural barriers, changing narratives, and empowering young migrants regarding their sexual and reproductive health.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-17884-5Reproductive healthSexual healthAccessHealthcare servicesMigrationYouth |
| spellingShingle | Alexandra Obach Alice Blukacz Michelle Sadler Alejandra Carreño Calderón Báltica Cabieses Carolina Díaz Barriers and facilitators to access sexual and reproductive health services among young migrants in Tarapacá, Chile: a qualitative study BMC Public Health Reproductive health Sexual health Access Healthcare services Migration Youth |
| title | Barriers and facilitators to access sexual and reproductive health services among young migrants in Tarapacá, Chile: a qualitative study |
| title_full | Barriers and facilitators to access sexual and reproductive health services among young migrants in Tarapacá, Chile: a qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Barriers and facilitators to access sexual and reproductive health services among young migrants in Tarapacá, Chile: a qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Barriers and facilitators to access sexual and reproductive health services among young migrants in Tarapacá, Chile: a qualitative study |
| title_short | Barriers and facilitators to access sexual and reproductive health services among young migrants in Tarapacá, Chile: a qualitative study |
| title_sort | barriers and facilitators to access sexual and reproductive health services among young migrants in tarapaca chile a qualitative study |
| topic | Reproductive health Sexual health Access Healthcare services Migration Youth |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-17884-5 |
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