Preparación y respuesta ante emergencias sensibles a poblaciones migrantes en Chile: perspectivas postpandémicas / Emergency preparedness and response sensitive of migrant populations in Chile: post-pandemic perspectives

El 31 de agosto de 2023, el Gobierno de Chile puso fin a la alerta sanitaria por COVID-19. Este hito invita a reflexionar sobre lecciones aprendidas respecto a la preparación y respuesta ante emergencias, que sean sensibles e informadas sobre la experiencia de la población migrante de nuestro país. En este marco, se presentan tres perspectivas. La primera se centra en evitar la responsabilización individual en el incumplimiento de las medidas de prevención del contagio, ya que este enfoque ignora las inequidades estructurales e históricas. Las recomendaciones de emergencia se deben construir bajo un abordaje colectivo y con la consideración de los diversos contextos socioculturales y políticos. La segunda perspectiva llama a tomar en cuenta y abordar la migración como determinante social de la salud de la población en la preparación y respuesta ante emergencias. Durante la pandemia, los cambios en la gobernanza de la migración en todo el mundo precarizaron los procesos migratorios, con riesgos para la salud física y mental de las personas que migran. Esto requiere una mejor planificación y decisiones informadas en evidencia científica para futuras pandemias. La tercera perspectiva se enfoca en promover la interculturalidad, dado que la comunicación de los riesgos de contagio y de las medidas preventivas se vio dificultada entre poblaciones migrantes con diversas cosmovisiones e interpretaciones de los procesos de salud y enfermedad. Asimismo, el responder a las necesidades de aquellas comunidades históricamente marginadas, requiere establecer modos de vida que respeten la diversidad en las narrativas y las prácticas cotidianas. Los gobiernos y sistemas sanitarios deben incorporar la migración a sus estrategias de preparación y respuesta ante emergencias, con la construcción de las condiciones para su cumplimiento óptimo.

On August 31, 2023, the Chilean government ended the health alert for COVID-19. This milestone invites us to reflect on lessons learned in emergency preparedness and response regarding migrant populations in the country. In this context, three perspectives are presented. The first focuses on avoiding pointing to individual responsibility for non-compliance with prevention measures, as this approach ignores structural and historical inequities. Emergency recommendations should be constructed considering a collective approach and diverse sociocultural and political contexts. The second perspective calls for considering and addressing migration as a social determinant of health. During the pandemic, changes in the governance of migration around the world made migration processes more precarious, with risks to the physical and mental health of migrants, which needs better planning and evidence-based decision-making in future pandemics. The third perspective focuses on promoting intercultural health, as effective communication of contagion risks and preventive measures were hampered among migrant populations with diverse worldviews and interpretations of health and disease processes. Responding to the needs of historically marginalized communities requires establishing ways of life that respect diversity in narratives and everyday practices. Governments and health systems must incorporate migration into their emergency preparedness and response strategies, creating the conditions for optimal compliance.

The social and health protection of migrants in Chile: qualitative analysis of civil society proposals for constitutional change.

BACKGROUND: A sustained period of social, economic, and political unrest took place during October of 2019 in Chile. As an institutional solution, the "Agreement for Social Peace and the New Constitution" was signed. In this document, most political parties committed to reestablishing peace and public order in Chile, agreeing on the initiation of a constitutional process. To promote participation of civil society actors, the "Popular Initiative for Norms" was enabled. This was a platform where civilians could submit proposals for constitutional norms to be discussed by the Constitutional Convention. We aimed to analyze proposals related to migrants and migrant health. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative thematic analysis of the proposals. Sixteen of them were related to migrants, and we analyzed their association to health. We also evaluated their link to the Health Goals 2030 set out by the Chilean Ministry of Health and the Global Action Plan 2019-2023 for Promoting the Health of Refugees and Migrants by the World Health Organization. RESULTS: Four main thematic categories were identified: 1) Humans rights of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers; 2) Nationality and regularization of migrants and refugees; 3) Political participation and cultural integration of migrants and refugees; and 4) Specific regulations on slavery and human trafficking. These resonated with broader frameworks established in the Health Goals 2030 (Chile) and the Global Action Plan 2019-2023 for Promoting the Health of Refugees and Migrants by the World Health Organization. CONCLUSIONS: The 'Popular Initiative for Norms' was a non-binding participatory mechanism. Although the proposals sent through were not guaranteed to be included in the constitutional draft-and despite the final draft being rejected last September 2022-the platform allowed to gain insights into civilian opinions. Our findings showed that there is an incipient yet weak recognition of the rights and situation of migrants in Chile. There was no direct mention of health nor an explicit contemplation of social determinants of health. Despite there being an urgent need to define strategies for migrants' health in Chile, this study demonstrated that civil awareness and interest are still insufficient.

Access to health services for international migrants during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study / Acesso a serviços de saúde para migrantes internacionais durante a pandemia de COVID-19: estudo qualitativo / Acceso a servicios de salud para personas migrantes internacionales durante la pandemia por COVID-19: estudio cualitativo

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.

RESUMO Objetivo: Explorar a experiência e a percepção dos migrantes internacionais no Chile sobre o acesso aos serviços de saúde durante a pandemia. Método: Estudo de caso coletivo sob o paradigma qualitativo. Foram realizadas 40 entrevistas semiestruturadas com 30 migrantes de diferentes países da América Latina e Caribe e 10 atores-chave do setor de saúde ou social em novembro e dezembro de 2020. As entrevistas foram analisadas tematicamente. Resultados: Os facilitadores percebidos para o acesso geral aos serviços de saúde estão relacionados ao trabalho formal, redes de apoio e bom tratamento, enquanto as barreiras estão ligadas ao status de imigração, lacunas de informação, discriminação, falta de habilidades interculturais e limites próprios do sistema. No contexto do acesso ao diagnóstico e tratamento da COVID-19, identificam-se principalmente barreiras: abordagem cultural da doença, lacunas de comunicação, vivências de discriminação, custos e falta de redes de apoio. Conclusão: O acesso aos serviços de saúde está vinculado à vulnerabilidade social e à violação dos direitos dos migrantes internacionais.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Explorar la experiencia y percepción de las personas migrantes internacionales en Chile en torno al acceso a servicios de salud durante la pandemia. Método: Estudio de caso colectivo bajo el paradigma cualitativo. Se llevaron a cabo 40 entrevistas semi-estructuradas con 30 personas migrantes provenientes de diferentes países de América Latina y el Caribe y 10 actores clave del sector salud o social en noviembre y diciembre 2020. Se analizaron las entrevistas temáticamente. Resultados: Los facilitadores percibidos para el acceso general a servicios de salud se relacionan con el trabajo formal, las redes de apoyo y el buen trato, mientras que las barreras se vinculan con situación migratoria, brechas de información, discriminación, falta de competencias interculturales y límites propios del sistema. En contexto de acceso a diagnóstico y tratamiento de COVID-19, se identifican principalmente barreras: abordaje cultural de la enfermedad, brechas comunicacionales, experiencias de discriminación, costos y faltas de redes de apoyo. Conclusión: El acceso a servicios de salud se vincula con vulnerabilidad social y vulneración de derechos de las personas migrantes internacionales.

Perceptions of Health Needs among Venezuelan Women Crossing the Border in Northern Chile during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

In parallel to the COVID-19 pandemic, Chile has experienced a significant influx of international migrants, many of whom are Venezuelan women who have entered the country through unauthorized crossing points. In this context, gender and migration intersect as the social determinants of health, leading to their experiencing a range of adverse events. This poses important challenges in terms of short- and long-term health outcomes, the social determinants of health, and access to healthcare. This study aims at describing Venezuelan women's perceptions of their health needs as they migrate to Chile via an unauthorized crossing point, with a focus on adverse events throughout the migration cycle, self-reported health needs, and responses. A qualitative case study was carried out with 22 participants in the Antofagasta region of Chile, including Venezuelan migrant women, healthcare professionals, and social workers from the public healthcare system, stakeholders from non-governmental and international organizations, and local government officials. The semi-structured, individual interviews were analyzed thematically. The results show that Venezuelan women face a range of adverse events throughout the migration cycle. The perceived health needs that are reported are sometimes linked to these adverse events or existed prior to migration and were exacerbated throughout the migratory cycle. Addressing these physical and mental health needs is essential for short- and long-term individual and public health; however, despite substantial efforts to ameliorate the situation, persisting gaps in access to care are reported.

Recursos y vulnerabilidades de comunidades migrantes en Chile para enfrentar la pandemia SARS-CoV-2

Objetivo Conocer, en contexto de la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2, las vulnerabilidades psicosociales y socioeconómicas de la población migrante internacional en Chile y los recursos y capitales sociales reportados desde la propia comunidad. Métodos Estudio cualitativo descriptivo. Se realizaron 40 entrevistas semiestructuradas a migrantes (N=30) e informantes claves (N=10), ejecutadas virtualmente durante el 2020. El material fue analizado mediante análisis temático. El proyecto fue aprobado por el Comité de Ética Científico de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad del Desarrollo. Resultados Como principales vulnerabilidades enfrentadas por parte de personas migrantes en pandemia se identifican: hacinamiento, precariedad laboral y necesidades económicas, uso del transporte público, desinformación y creencias en torno al COVID-19, discriminación, falta de redes de apoyo, y estatus migratorio. Como recursos se reconocen: contar con redes de apoyo, posibilidad de teletrabajo o salir a trabajar, acceso a información y a la red asistencial y municipal, apoyo gubernamental y de la sociedad civil. Adicionalmente, se reportan experiencias de diagnóstico de COVID-19, identificando dificultades en acceso a PCR y adaptaciones familiares y laborales como cambios en los hábitos de vida dentro y fuera del hogar. Discusión El estudio entrega información relevante e inédita para la construcción de políticas en salud para migrantes internacionales con foco en crisis sanitarias. Se destaca la necesidad de fortalecer adecuaciones interculturales en las estrategias de prevención del contagio y de promoción de la salud y aumentar la disponibilidad de respuesta en el acceso a salud en el marco de la pandemia, mitigando así la vulnerabilidad social en migrantes y potenciando sus recursos de afrontamiento.

Objective To know, in the context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the psychosocial and socioeconomic vulnerabilities experienced by the international migrant population in Chile, as well as the resources and social capital reported from the community itself and its support networks, and to analyze the reception and implementation of the measures recommended by the health authorities in the different stages of the pandemic in the country. Methods Descriptive qualitative study. The information was collected through 40 semi-structured individual interviews with migrants (N=30) and key informants (N=10), carried out through online communication platforms during 2020. A thematic analysis of the material was carried out. The project was approved by the Scientific Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine of the Universidad del Desarrollo. Results The main vulnerabilities experienced by migrants in the context of the pandemic include overcrowding, job insecurity and economic needs, use of public transport, misinformation and beliefs about COVID-19, experiences of discrimination and xenophobia, lack of support networks, and migratory status. The main resources are support networks, the possibility of working remotely or going out to work, access to information, access to the assistance and municipal network, and government support and civil society. In addition, experiences of diagnosis of COVID-19 are reported, identifying difficulties in accessing PCR testing, and family and work adaptations such as changes in lifestyle habits inside and outside the home. Discussion The study provides relevant and unpublished information for the construction of health policies for international migrants with a focus on sanitary crises. It highlights the need to strengthen cross-cultural strategies for the prevention of infection and health promotion, and to improve access to health in the context of the pandemic and beyond, thereby mitigating the social vulnerability experienced by migrants and enhancing their coping resources.

Prevención de la transmisión vertical de VIH en mujeres migrantes internacionales: escenario actual y desafíos / Prevention of vertical transmission of HIV in international migrant women: current scenario and challenges

La prevención de la transmisión vertical de VIH es un desafío para todos los países del mundo. Esto se ve complejizado por la construcción permanente de sociedades globales, con grado variable de población migrante internacional. Las políticas, programas y acciones sanitarias para la prevención de transmisión vertical de VIH en gestantes migrantes demandan una perspectiva intercultural, en donde se aborden todas las dimensiones sociales, culturales y de género asociadas a la infección. El entender la realidad local en cuanto a la prevención de transmisión vertical de VIH en población migrante internacional en Chile es esencial para llevar acciones concretas que favorezcan la prevención de transmisión madre-hijo de VIH. En este artículo se presentan algunos conceptos esenciales relacionados a esta temática. También se expone información internacional y nacional sobre riesgos de transmisión vertical de VIH en migrantes gestantes, la importancia del plan nacional de preven ción de transmisión vertical de VIH en nuestro país, y algunos esfuerzos que se están realizando para adaptar dicho plan a la realidad de diversidad social y cultural que migrantes gestantes presentan hoy en Chile, como un valioso insumo de salud pública con perspectiva intercultural.

Preventing vertical transmission of HIV is a challenge for all countries worldwide. The permanent construction of global societies with a variable degree of international migrant population has made it more complex. Health policies, programs, and actions for preventing vertical transmission of HIV in pregnant migrants demand an intercultural perspective, where social, cultural, and gender dimen sions associated with the infection are addressed. Understanding the local reality regarding the pre vention of vertical transmission in the international migrant population in Chile is essential to carry out concrete actions that favor the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. This article presents some essential concepts related to this topic. It also presents international and national in formation on risks of vertical transmission in pregnant migrants, the importance of the national plan for preventing vertical transmission of HIV in our country, and some ongoing efforts to adapt such plan to the reality of social and cultural diversity that pregnant migrants currently present in Chile, as a useful public health instrument with an intercultural perspective.

[The opportunity to incorporate subjective well-being in the protection of children and adolescents in Chile]. / La oportunidad de incorporar el bienestar subjetivo en la protección de la infancia y adolescencia en Chile.

Children and adolescents (CA) represent a quarter of the Chilean population, on which the country, regarding protection, has focused on the promotion of equal rights opportunities based on different international conventions. However, CA continue to die from preventable and modifiable causes in addition to experiencing severe degrees of vulnerability, a situation that has an impact on com plex emotional and cognitive effects through their life cycle. According to international evidence, the welfare of CA is directly related to social inequality indices, valuing well-being as an essential and transversal component of the rights of CA in the country. In Chile, subjective well-being is defined as the perceptions of CA regarding their living conditions, both economic, social, cultural, and health aspects and personal achievements. This concept has been studied through different instruments which could be very useful to promote the psychosocial component and quality of life of CA in na tional strategies and policies in this population. This review proposes to explicitly integrate into the public policies of CA the concept of subjective well-being in order to provide fair, positive and sys tematic opportunities for the maximum development of CA in their life cycle, empirically validating the necessary conditions for good living based on a modern human rights approach that the country has committed to.

La necesidad de incorporar los enfoques de interculturalidad, participación y determinantes sociales en salud en el abordaje de crisis sanitarias / The need to incorporate the approaches of intercultural health, participation and social determinants of health in global health crises

La pandemia del COVID-19 corresponde a una crisis sanitaria global, teniendo un impacto directo en tanto desafío para la incorporación de los saberes y prácticas en torno a los procesos de salud-enfermedad-atención de los diferentes grupos sociales, desde los enfoques de salud intercultural, participación y determinantes sociales de la salud, en tanto estrategia sanitaria para la efectiva contención de la pandemia. Se postula la necesidad urgente de tomar en consideración en la toma de decisiones la diversidad de saberes y prácticas en salud de los colectivos de personas que forman parte la sociedad, y el impacto que las medidas para detener esta crisis tendrán en la vida de las comunidades. A partir de lo expuesto en el artículo se proponen una serie de recomendaciones para el abordaje de la pandemia desde los enfoques antes descritos, entre ellas: (i) tomar en consideración las percepciones de los grupos sociales respecto a los riesgos asociados al COVID-19 y las estrategias desplegadas para mitigar dichos riesgos; (ii) generar acciones participativas que incluyan a representantes de colectivos sociales en el diseño, ejecución y monitoreo de las estrategias de salud del COVID-19; (iii) desarrollar capacidades en pares monitores en salud y prevención del COVID-19; (iv) fortalecer la atención primaria de salud y su quehacer comunitario; (v) generar capacitación continua al personal de salud en salud intercultural, participación y determinantes sociales de la salud; (vi) generar intervenciones preventivas y de promoción de la salud basadas en la comunidad y la territorialidad

The COVID-19 pandemic is a global health crisis, having a direct impact on the health and wellbeing of local communities. The article aims to think on the pandemic as a challenge for the incorporation of knowledge and practices around the health-disease-care processes of different social groups, from the approaches of intercultural health, participation in health, and social determinants of health, as a health strategy for the effective containment of the pandemic. The urgent need is to take into consideration in decision-making the diversity of knowledge and health practices of the groups of people who are part of society, and the impact that measures to stop this crisis will have on the lives of communities. Based on what is stated in the article

La oportunidad de incorporar el bienestar subjetivo en la protección de la infancia y adolescencia en Chile / The opportunity to incorporate subjective well-being in the protection of children and adolescents in Chile

Resumen: Los niños, niñas y adolescentes (NNA) representan a un cuarto de la población chilena, sobre la cual en términos de protección el país se ha enfocado en la promoción de igualdad de oportunidad de derechos en base a convenciones internacionales. Sin embargo, aún los NNA siguen muriendo por causas prevenibles y modificables, además de experimentar importantes grados de vulnerabilidad, situación que repercute en complejos efectos emocionales y cognitivos a lo largo de su ciclo vital. Según la evidencia internacional el bienestar de los NNA va directamente relacionado con los índi ces de desigualdad social, valorando el bienestar como un componente esencial y transversal a los derechos de los NNA del país. En Chile, el bienestar subjetivo se define como las percepciones de los NNA respecto de sus condiciones vitales -tanto en el aspecto económico, como social, cultural, de salud y logros personales. Este concepto se ha estudiado a través de diferentes instrumentos los cuales podrían ser de gran utilidad para promover el componente psicosocial y calidad de vida de los NNA en las estrategias y políticas nacionales en esta población. En esta revision se propone integrar de ma nera explícita en las políticas públicas de la infancia y adolescencia el concepto de bienestar subjetivo, con el fin de entregar oportunidades justas, positivas y sistemáticas para el máximo desarrollo de los NNA en su ciclo vital, validando empíricamente las condiciones necesarias del buen vivir basado en un enfoque moderno de derechos humanos al cual el país se ha comprometido.

Abstract: Children and adolescents (CA) represent a quarter of the Chilean population, on which the country, regarding protection, has focused on the promotion of equal rights opportunities based on different international conventions. However, CA continue to die from preventable and modifiable causes in addition to experiencing severe degrees of vulnerability, a situation that has an impact on com plex emotional and cognitive effects through their life cycle. According to international evidence, the welfare of CA is directly related to social inequality indices, valuing well-being as an essential and transversal component of the rights of CA in the country. In Chile, subjective well-being is defined as the perceptions of CA regarding their living conditions, both economic, social, cultural, and health aspects and personal achievements. This concept has been studied through different instruments which could be very useful to promote the psychosocial component and quality of life of CA in na tional strategies and policies in this population. This review proposes to explicitly integrate into the public policies of CA the concept of subjective well-being in order to provide fair, positive and sys tematic opportunities for the maximum development of CA in their life cycle, empirically validating the necessary conditions for good living based on a modern human rights approach that the country has committed to.

Prevention of vertical transmission of HIV in international migrant women: Current scenario and challenges. / Prevención de la transmisión vertical de VIH en mujeres migrantes internacionales: Escenario actual y desafíos.

Preventing vertical transmission of HIV is a challenge for all countries worldwide. The permanent construction of global societies with a variable degree of international migrant population has made it more complex. Health policies, programs, and actions for preventing vertical transmission of HIV in pregnant migrants demand an intercultural perspective, where social, cultural, and gender dimen sions associated with the infection are addressed. Understanding the local reality regarding the pre vention of vertical transmission in the international migrant population in Chile is essential to carry out concrete actions that favor the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. This article presents some essential concepts related to this topic. It also presents international and national in formation on risks of vertical transmission in pregnant migrants, the importance of the national plan for preventing vertical transmission of HIV in our country, and some ongoing efforts to adapt such plan to the reality of social and cultural diversity that pregnant migrants currently present in Chile, as a useful public health instrument with an intercultural perspective.

[Social determinants of the health of international migrant children in Chile: qualitative evidence.] / Determinantes sociales de la salud de niños migrantes internacionales en Chile: evidencia cualitativa.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the social determinants of health (SDH) of international migrant children, from the perceptions of caregivers, health workers and local authorities in eight municipalities in Chile. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A secondary analysis of data was conducted from a qualitative study that took place between 2014 and 2017. The original study involved semi-structured interviews and focus groups. The secondary thematic analysis of data included all emerging issues related to international migrant children and their living conditions, including use of health services. RESULTS: Findings were grouped according to the model of social determinants of health, which allow a reflection on living conditions of international migrant children and their health situation. CONCLUSIONS: This research shows the impact of SDH on international migrant children in Chile, highlighting relevant issues around this group.

OBJETIVO: Explorar los determinantes sociales de la salud (DSS) de niños migrantes, a partir de las percepciones de cuidadores y trabajadores autoridades de salud en las zonas más densas de población migrante en Chile. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó un análisis de datos secundario de un estudio realizado entre los años 2014 y 2017 desde un paradigma cualitativo de investigación. El estudio original incluyó entrevistas semiestructuradas y grupos focales. El análisis temático secundario de datos contempló todos los temas emergentes referidos a niños migrantes y condiciones de vida, incluyendo utilización de servicios de salud. RESULTADOS: Los DDS fueron agrupados de acuerdo con el Modelo de Determinantes Sociales de la Salud, el cual permite reflexionar en torno a las condiciones de vida de niños migrantes y su situación de salud. CONCLUSIONES: Esta investigación muestra el impacto de los DSS en salud de niños migrantes en Chile, resaltando temáticas relevantes en torno a este grupo.

Determinantes sociales de la salud de niños migrantes internacionales en Chile: evidencia cualitativa / Social determinants of the health of international migrant children in Chile: qualitative evidence

Resumen: Objetivo: Explorar los determinantes sociales de la salud (DSS) de niños migrantes, a partir de las percepciones de cuidadores y trabajadores/autoridades de salud en las zonas más densas de población migrante en Chile. Material y métodos: Se realizó un análisis de datos secundario de un estudio realizado entre los años 2014 y 2017 desde un paradigma cualitativo de investigación. El estudio original incluyó entrevistas semiestructuradas y grupos focales. El análisis temático secundario de datos contempló todos los temas emergentes referidos a niños migrantes y condiciones de vida, incluyendo utilización de servicios de salud. Resultados: Los DDS fueron agrupados de acuerdo con el Modelo de Determinantes Sociales de la Salud, el cual permite reflexionar en torno a las condiciones de vida de niños migrantes y su situación de salud. Conclusión: Esta investigación muestra el impacto de los DSS en salud de niños migrantes en Chile, resaltando temáticas relevantes en torno a este grupo.

Abstract: Objective: To explore the social determinants of health (SDH) of international migrant children, from the perceptions of caregivers, health workers and local authorities in eight municipalities in Chile. Materials and methods: A secondary analysis of data was conducted from a qualitative study that took place between 2014 and 2017. The original study involved semi-structured interviews and focus groups. The secondary thematic analysis of data included all emerging issues related to international migrant children and their living conditions, including use of health services. Results: Findings were grouped according to the model of social determinants of health, which allow a reflection on living conditions of international migrant children and their health situation. Conclusion: This research shows the impact of SDH on international migrant children in Chile, highlighting relevant issues around this group.