Mujeres compañeras de migrantes: imagen social y búsqueda de servicios de salud sexual y reproductiva / Migrants' female partners: social image and the search for sexual and reproductive health services

RESUMEN

Objetivo Analizar la autoimagen e imagen social de las mujeres compañeras de migrantes (MCM) y su relación con la búsqueda de servicios de salud sexual y reproductiva (SSR) en comunidades con alto índice de intensidad migratoria a Estados Unidos de América (EUA). Método Entre octubre de 2004 y mayo de 2005 se realizaron 60 entrevistas en profundidad a MCM y 19 entrevistas semiestructuradas a integrantes de sus familias, 14 representantes de organizaciones sociales, 10 representantes de los servicios de salud y 31 hombres y mujeres residentes de la comunidad. Resultados La autoimagen e imagen social de las MCM es de mujeres "desprotegidas", "solas", "sin pareja sexual" y por lo tanto inactivas sexualmente. En consecuencia "no deben padecer ITS, usar anticonceptivos, ni embarazarse" cuando su compañero está en EUA. La búsqueda de servicios de SSR se encuentra relacionada con la autoimagen, la imagen social y el comportamiento esperado de estas mujeres predominando la noción de control familiar o social, la cual está relacionada con sus condiciones de convivencia o no con familiares. Conclusiones Las MCM que conviven con su familia o la de su compañero son sujeto de mayor control "familiar" para buscar servicios de SSR. Por el contrario, las MCM que viven solas son sujeto de mayor control "social" sobre este proceso. La autoimagen e imagen social de mujeres inactivas sexualmente parece incidir en el comportamiento social de estas mujeres y puede constituirse en un obstáculo para la búsqueda oportuna de servicios de SSR en comunidades con alta intensidad migratoria.

ABSTRACT

Objective Analysing the self-image and social image of migrants' female partners (MFP) and their relationship with the search for sexual and reproductive health services (SRHS) in communities having a high US migratory intensity index. Methods 60 MFP were subjected to in-depth interviews between October 2004 and May 2005 and 19 semi-structured interviews were held with members of their families, 14 representatives from social organisations, 10 health service representatives and 31 men and women residing in the community. Results MFP self-image and social image regards women as being "vulnerable", "alone", "lacking sexual partner" and thus being sexually inactive. Consequently, "they must not contract sexually-transmitted diseases (STD), use contraceptives or become pregnant" when their partners are in the USA. The search for SRHS services was found to be related to self-image, social image and the notion of family or social control predominated in the behaviour expected for these women which, in turn, was related to conditions regarding their coexistence (or not) with their families. Conclusions MFP living with their family or their partner's family were subject to greater "family" control in their search for SRHS services. On the contrary, MFP living alone were subjected to greater "social" control over such process. Sexuallyinactive women's self-image and social image seems to have a bearing on such women's social behaviour and could become an obstacle to the timely search for SRHS services in communities having high migratory intensity.