Representations of COVID-19: the pandemic in the context of international commuting migration from mining.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the conceptions about COVID-19 among Brazilians who carry out commuting to work in clandestine mines located on the borders between Brazil, French Guiana and Suriname. METHOD: This is qualitative research, from an analytical perspective, based on Social Representation Theory. Semi-structured, audio-recorded interviews were carried out with 10 Brazilians who experience work routine in clandestine mining on the border between Brazil, French Guiana and Suriname. RESULTS: Two analytical categories emerged: "The disease of otherness"; and "Health access dimension". CONCLUSION: Disease severity was attributed to another or a human body organ, and not to individuals as a whole. Access to health services was established on issues of inequity, violence and illegal practices. The nature of a transient population, which carries out commuting and informal and clandestine work, demonstrates vulnerability to COVID-19 and a lower propensity to receive care.

Representations of COVID-19: the pandemic in the context of international commuting migration from mining / Representaciones del COVID-19: la pandemia en el contexto de la migración pendular internacional desde la minería / Representations of COVID-19: the pandemic in the context of international commuting migration from mining

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the conceptions about COVID-19 among Brazilians who carry out commuting to work in clandestine mines located on the borders between Brazil, French Guiana and Suriname. Method: This is qualitative research, from an analytical perspective, based on Social Representation Theory. Semi-structured, audio-recorded interviews were carried out with 10 Brazilians who experience work routine in clandestine mining on the border between Brazil, French Guiana and Suriname. Results: Two analytical categories emerged: "The disease of otherness"; and "Health access dimension". Conclusion: Disease severity was attributed to another or a human body organ, and not to individuals as a whole. Access to health services was established on issues of inequity, violence and illegal practices. The nature of a transient population, which carries out commuting and informal and clandestine work, demonstrates vulnerability to COVID-19 and a lower propensity to receive care.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Analizar las concepciones sobre el COVID-19 entre los brasileños que realizan desplazamientos para trabajar en minas clandestinas ubicadas en las fronteras entre Brasil, Guayana Francesa y Surinam. Método: Investigación cualitativa, desde una perspectiva analítica, basada en la Teoría de las Representaciones Sociales. Se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas y grabadas en audio a 10 brasileños que viven la rutina de trabajo en minas clandestinas en la frontera entre Brasil, Guayana Francesa y Surinam. Resultados: Se designaron dos categorías analíticas: "La enfermedad de la alteridad"; y "Dimensiones del acceso a la salud". Conclusión: La gravedad de la enfermedad se atribuyó a otro o a un órgano del cuerpo humano, y no al individuo en su conjunto. El acceso a los servicios de salud se estableció sobre temas de inequidad, violencia y prácticas ilegales. La naturaleza de la población transitoria, que realiza desplazamientos y trabajos informales y clandestinos, demuestra vulnerabilidad al COVID-19 y una menor propensión a recibir atención.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar as concepções acerca da covid-19 entre brasileiros que realizam migração pendular para trabalhar em garimpos clandestinos situados nas fronteiras entre Brasil, Guiana Francesa e Suriname. Método: Pesquisa qualitativa, em uma perspectiva analítica, alicerçada na Teoria das Representações Sociais. Foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas, áudiogravadas com 10 brasileiros que vivenciam a rotina de trabalho em garimpos clandestinos na fronteira entre Brasil, Guiana Francesa e Suriname. Resultados: Foram designadas duas categorias analíticas: "A doença da alteridade"; e "Dimensão do acesso à saúde". Conclusão: A gravidade da doença foi atribuída ao outro ou a um órgão do corpo humano, e não ao indivíduo como um todo. O acesso aos serviços de saúde instituiu-se em questões de iniquidade, violência e práticas ilegais. O caráter de população transitória, que realiza migração pendular e de trabalho informal e clandestino, demonstra vulnerabilidade à covid-19 e menor propensão a receber cuidados.