Research Output

2024 2024 2023 2023 2022 2022 2021 2021 2020 2020 0 0 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 8
Now showing 1 - 10 of 26
No Thumbnail Available
Publication

Barriers and facilitators to access sexual and reproductive health services among young migrants in Tarapacá, Chile: a qualitative study

2024 , OBACH KING, ALEXANDRA ALICE , Alice Blukacz , Michelle Sadler , CARREÑO CALDERON, ALEJANDRA ANGELICA , CABIESES VALDES, BALTICA BEATRIZ , Carolina Díaz

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.

No Thumbnail Available
Publication

Hacia un cuidado ético en residencias sanitarias durante la pandemia de COVID-19: estudio cualitativo con migrantes internacionales en Chile

2022 , CABIESES VALDES, BALTICA BEATRIZ , OBACH KING, ALEXANDRA ALICE , Alice Blukacz , CARREÑO CALDERON, ALEJANDRA ANGELICA , Daniel Larenas , Emmanuel Mompoint , BECA INFANTE, JUAN PABLO

Migrantes internacionales han sido reconocidos como población de riesgo en el contexto de la pandemia de COVID-19. A nivel mundial se han desplegado diversas estrategias para la protección de esta población, como la habilitación de centros de recepción y cuarentena o aislamiento. El artículo da cuenta de los resultados de un estudio que exploró las experiencias de migrantes internacionales en residencias sanitarias dispuestas en Chile para la realización de cuarentenas seguras en el marco de la pandemia COVID-19, desde un enfoque de condiciones éticas para el cuidado. Se realizó un estudio cualitativo entre los años 2020-2021. Se efectuaron 30 entrevistas individuales semi-estructuradas en línea en las ciudades de Arica, Iquique, Antofagasta y Santiago a migrantes internacionales con experiencia de uso de residencias sanitarias; equipos de salud de residencias sanitarias; mánagers de dichos recintos; autoridades locales; y expertos nacionales. Se realizó análisis temático de la información. El estudio concluye que para migrantes internacionales, si bien la experiencia en residencias sanitarias ha significado un apoyo sanitario significativo, es imprescindible que el cuidado proporcionado, además de la exigencia que se enmarque en un enfoque de derechos y de respeto a la dignidad de cada persona, incorpore la perspectiva de la interculturalidad en su quehacer, es decir, asegurando el derecho a servicios de salud culturalmente pertinentes, respetuosos de la cultura de las personas, las minorías, los pueblos y las comunidades.

No Thumbnail Available
Publication

Health in Chile’s Recent Constitutional Process: A Qualitative Thematic Analysis of Civil Proposals

2022 , CABIESES VALDES, BALTICA BEATRIZ , Sophie Esnouf , Alice Blukacz , Manuel A. Espinoza , Edward Mezones-Holguin , René Leyva

(1) Background: In response to the recent political crisis in Chile, the “Agreement for Social Peace and the New Constitution’’ was approved. We aimed to analyze the health-related civil proposals uploaded to the official website for popular participation in the new constitution in Chile. (2) Methods: We carried out a qualitative thematic analysis of 126 health-related valid proposals. Moreover, we analyzed their link to the Health Goals 2030, established by the Ministry of Health of Chile and to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). (3) Results: Sixteen main categories were reached. In all, they were organized into four main areas: (i) the right to health and the establishment of a universal health system; (ii) effective access to selected healthcare services; (iii) improving health outcomes for all and for the relevant subgroups; and (iv) the social determinants of health, health in all the policies, and community health. We found that these four areas were strongly linked to the Health Goals 2030 for Chile and to the SDGs. (4) Conclusions: Despite the fact that the new constitutional proposal was rejected in September 2022, the civil health-related proposals and the areas of health and healthcare were of interest to the citizens as the request showed a strong demand from the population for participation in matters of health, healthcare, and public health.

No Thumbnail Available
Publication

Health conditions of migrant children and adolescents from Latin America and Caribe: A narrative review

2024 , CARREÑO CALDERON, ALEJANDRA ANGELICA , Alice Blukacz , CABIESES VALDES, BALTICA BEATRIZ , OBACH KING, ALEXANDRA ALICE , Andrea Ortega

The presence of children and adolescents in migratory flows is growing in Latin America and the Caribbean. Little is known about migration's effects on these groups' health. This article aims to investigate the evidence available on the access and use of healthcare services by migrant children and adolescents in Latin America and the Caribbean. We seek to explore the role of social determinants of health at different levels in the health conditions of these groups. Also, to identify potential recommendations for healthcare systems and public policy to address them. For this purpose, a narrative review of 52 publications was carried out based on a search of scientific literature in the Web of Science and Google Scholar databases. Five relevant topics were identified: use of emergency care associated with lack of healthcare access, preventive services, and other social determinants of health; exposure to preventable infectious diseases; mental health; sexual and reproductive health; and vaccinations and dental health. We conclude that the evidence shows the need to address the inequities and disadvantages faced by migrant children from a perspective of social determinants of health and policies that consider health as a human right regardless of the migratory status of children and adolescents, as well as that of their parents or primary caregivers.

No Thumbnail Available
Publication

Inserción sociolaboral de la población migrante y refugiada venezolana en la Región Metropolitana y la Región de los Lagos

2021 , CABIESES VALDES, BALTICA BEATRIZ , Alice Blukacz , Carolina Stefoni , WUALTER VELEZ , Juan Manuel Saldivar , Ana Mujica , CLAUDIA SILVA , KARINA JARAMILLO MAUREIRA

No Thumbnail Available
Publication

Access to health services for international migrants during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study

2023 , Alice Blukacz , CABIESES VALDES, BALTICA BEATRIZ , OBACH KING, ALEXANDRA ALICE , CARREÑO CALDERON, ALEJANDRA ANGELICA , Carolina Stefoni , PEREZ ACUÑA, CLAUDIA VERONICA

ABSTRACT Objective: To explore the experience and perception of international migrants in Chile regarding access to health services during the pandemic. Method: Collective case study following the qualitative paradigm. Forty semi-structured interviews were carried out with 30 migrants from different countries in Latin America and the Caribbean and 10 key actors from the health or social sector in November and December 2020. The interviews were analyzed thematically. Results: Perceived facilitators for general access to health services are related to formal work, support networks, and good treatment, while barriers are linked to immigration status, information gaps, discrimination, lack of cross-cultural skills, and personal limits of the system. In the context of access to COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment, the main barriers identified are: cultural approach to the disease, communication gaps, experiences of discrimination, costs, and lack of support networks. Conclusion: Access to health services is related to social vulnerability and violation of international migrants rights.

No Thumbnail Available
Publication

Adequate housing as a social determinant of the health of international migrants and locals in Chile between 2013 and 2022

2024 , Alice Blukacz , Marcela Oyarte , CABIESES VALDES, BALTICA BEATRIZ

Abstract Background Adequate housing is a fundamental right and a social determinant of health. It also represents a historically contentious topic in Latin America. Migratory flows to Chile have become increasingly precarious in the past few years, limiting opportunities for adequate housing, with potential repercussions on the health of international migrants and the general population. This study aims to analyse adequate housing as a social determinant of health among international migrants and locals between 2013 and 2022 in Chile. Methods Observational cross-sectional study based on repeated versions of the nationally representative Socioeconomic Characterization Survey in Chile. Adequate housing indicators adapted from the United Nations Housing Rights Programme guidelines were analyzed with relation to individual health, distinguishing between the local and international migrant populations. Logistic regression models were fitted for housing indicators with migration as the main independent variable and for short-term and long-term healthcare needs in locals and immigrants with housing as the main dependent variables. Models were adjusted for sociodemographic variables and considered the complex sample design. Results Descriptive findings indicated higher availability of services and infrastructure among international migrants, and a disadvantage for habitability, location, and affordability by quintiles compared to locals. Logistic regression models, adjusting for demographic variables, revealed significant associations between migration status and overcrowding (OR 6.14, 2022), poor housing materiality (OR 5.65, 2022) and proximity to healthcare centres (OR 1.4, 2022) compared to locals. Experiencing hazardous situations consistently predicted short-term healthcare needs in both migrants (OR = 1.4, 2022) and locals (OR = 2.8, 2022). Overcrowding predicted both long and short-term healthcare needs among locals across the years and long term needs among migrants in 2013 and 2015. Conclusions We found significant inequities in adequate housing between migrant populations and locals in Chile, and some inequities among both populations based on structural socioeconomic deprivation. Experiencing hazardous situations emerged as a social determinant of health among international migrants in 2022, potentially suggesting growing challenges related to social exclusion in urban areas. However, limitations such as exclusion criteria of the survey and sample sizes for data on the migrant population potentially suggest that housing challenges and their impact on health are underestimated.

No Thumbnail Available
Publication

Hacer frente a la pandemia: la salud mental de los migrantes internacionales en Chile

2020 , Alice Blukacz , CABIESES VALDES, BALTICA BEATRIZ

No Thumbnail Available
Publication

Burns: Why give special attention to adolescents in Latin America and the Caribbean from a primary health prevention perspective?

2023 , Alice Blukacz , Rodrigo Fuentes , CABIESES VALDES, BALTICA BEATRIZ , OBACH KING, ALEXANDRA ALICE , Carmina Domic , Carola Paredes , Rolando Saavedra , Jorge Rojas-Zegers

The existing evidence on burns in the underage population has focused mainly on children under ten years, leaving behind the age group defined as "adolescents" by the World Health Organization. However, adolescents present their own characteristics that differentiate them from their younger counterparts. These differences are relevant from a primary prevention perspective, focusing on preventing illness or injury. In this context, this article reflects on why adolescents need special attention in the primary prevention of burns in Latin America and the Caribbean. First, burn scenarios in adolescents are often linked to participation in risky activities due to pressure, social desirability, or low perception of the associated risks. Second, it is essential to emphasize that adolescents may experience social vulnerability, which entails a higher risk of suffering an intentional or unintentional burn. Third, the risk of burns in adolescents may be related to mental health and self-harm scenarios. These aspects need to be investigated through both quantitative and qualitative studies to design and implement primary prevention strategies relevant to this population group in the region.

No Thumbnail Available
Publication

Unequal Access and Use of Health Care Services among Settled Immigrants, Recent Immigrants, and Locals: A Comparative Analysis of a Nationally Representative Survey in Chile

2022 , Marcela Oyarte , CABIESES VALDES, BALTICA BEATRIZ , Isabel Rada , Alice Blukacz , Manuel Espinoza , Edward Mezones-Holguin

Globally, and particularly in the Latin American region, international migration continues to grow. Access and use of health care services by migrants vary according to their country of origin and residence time. We aimed to compare the access and use of health care services between international migrants (including settled migrants from Peru, Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador; Emerging migrants from Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Haiti; and migrants from other countries) and the Chilean population. After performing a secondary data analysis of population-based nationally representative surveys (CASEN 2011–2017), access and use patterns (insurance, complementary insurance, non-consultation, and non-treatment coverage) were described and compared among settled immigrants, recent emerging immigrants, others, and locals. Immigrants had a significantly higher uninsured population compared to locals. Specifically, in CASEN 2017, 19.27% of emerging (95% CI: 15.3–24.1%), 11.79% of settled (95% CI: 10.1–13.7%), and 2.25% of locals (95% CI: 2.1–2.4%) were uninsured. After 2013, settled and recent emerging migrants showed higher percentages of non-consultation. Collaborative and interculturally relevant strategies from human rights and equity perspectives are needed. Initiatives with a particular focus on recent immigrants can contribute to reducing the existing disparities in health care access and use with locals due to lack of insurance and treatment coverage.