Salud Publica de Mexico
Volume 51, Issue 5, 2009, Pages 407-416

Strategies by mexican migrants in the usa to seek health care [Análisis de las alternativas de los migrantes mexicanos en Estados Unidos de América para atender sus problemas de salud] (Article)

Nigenda G.* , Ruiz-Larios J.A. , Bejarano-Arias R.M. , Alcalde-Rabanal J.E. , Bonilla-Fernández P.
  • a Centro de Investigaciones en Sistemas de Salud, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
  • b Centro de Investigaciones en Sistemas de Salud, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
  • c Centro de Investigaciones en Sistemas de Salud, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
  • d Centro de Investigaciones en Sistemas de Salud, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
  • e Centro de Investigaciones en Sistemas de Salud, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico

Abstract

Objective. To identify the strategies used by Mexican migrants to access health services in the U.S. and Mexico. Materials and Methods. Ethnographic study in five Mexican states, selected by their migration dynamics. A series of focus groups and in-depth interviews were conducted with health services users and providers. Results. Six strategies were identified and are used according to the severity of the disease: a) self-medication, b) telephone consultation with relatives, c) utilization of private services, d) travel to border towns, e) return to place of birth, f) getting medical care during their visits to places of origin. Discussion. The health care options used by Mexican migrants and their families are defined according to events related to the migration process. The implementation of public policies to protect the health of migrants on both sides of the border is critical.

Author Keywords

Mexico Health services Migrants health care

Index Keywords

male female patient attitude Humans Patient Acceptance of Health Care Transients and Migrants cross-sectional study ethnology Mexico Article Cross-Sectional Studies United States human adult migration
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-70349641161&partnerID=40&md5=ec92ebce37b918d8fac6fd5cda02e108
ISSN: 00363634
Cited by: 7
Original Language: Spanish