Latin American Youths’ Migration Journeys and Settlement in the Tarapacá Region in Chile: Implications for Sexual and Reproductive Health
Journal
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
ISSN
1660-4601
Date Issued
2022
Type
Resource Types::text::journal::journal article
URL Institutional Repository
Abstract
<jats:p>The sexual and reproductive health of young migrants has not been sufficiently addressed in mobility studies. In this article, we dwell on some aspects of this issue in the migration process of Latin American youth. We conducted a qualitative study in the region of Tarapacá, Chile, carrying out in-depth interviews with key informants, health staff and young migrants between 18 and 25 years old. The results show some motivations to migrate related to sexual and reproductive health: young pregnant women, LGBTQI+ and HIV-positive people seeking access to health care and social contexts of reduced gender discrimination. During the migration process, young people are exposed to various kinds of sexual violence, and in their settlement in Chile, to situations of racism, stigma and discrimination in society as a whole and in access to and during sexual and reproductive health care. Health care for young migrants is mainly focused on maternal care and reproductive issues, while sexual health as a whole is disregarded. We argue that sexual health must be addressed as a central dimension of the lived experiences of young migrants, and that the social, cultural and structural factors that undermine their sexual and reproductive health must be addressed in order to provide culturally competent health services.</jats:p>
Cite this document
Obach, A., Carreño, A., & Sadler, M. (2022). Latin american youths’ migration journeys and settlement in the tarapacá region in chile: Implications for sexual and reproductive health. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(20), 13583. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013583
Subjects
adolescent
;
international migrants
;
reproductive health services
;
sexual health
;
adolescent
;
adult
;
chile
;
female
;
health services accessibility
;
humans
;
latin america
;
pregnancy
;
reproductive health
;
sexual behavior
;
sexual health
;
transients and migrants
;
young adult
;
chile
;
tarapaca
;
adolescence
;
health services
;
homosexuality
;
latino people
;
reproductive health
;
sexual behavior
;
young population
;
adolescent
;
adult
;
article
;
chile
;
controlled study
;
female
;
health care access
;
health service
;
human
;
human immunodeficiency virus
;
interview
;
juvenile
;
male
;
maternal care
;
migrant
;
motivation
;
nonhuman
;
personal experience
;
pregnant woman
;
qualitative research
;
racism
;
sexism
;
sexual health
;
sexual violence
;
social environment
;
stigma
;
chile
;
health care delivery
;
migration
;
pregnancy
;
reproductive health
;
sexual behavior
;
south and central america
;
young adult