Salud Publica de Mexico
Volume 50, Issue 3, 2008, Pages 241-250

Women who are left behind: The impact of international migration on the process of seeking health care [Las mujeres que se quedan: Migración e implicación en los procesos de búsqueda de atención de servicios de salud] (Article)

Caballero M. , Leyva-Flores R.* , Ochoa-Marín S.C. , Zarco Á. , Guerrero C.
  • a Centro de Investigación en Sistemas de Salud, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Mexico
  • b Centro de Investigación en Sistemas de Salud, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Mexico, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Av. Universidad 655, 62508 Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
  • c Facultad de Enfermería, Universidad de Antioquia, Colombia
  • d Programa de Maestría en Antropología Social, Centro de Investigaciones en Estudios Superiores en Antropología Social, Occidente-Sureste, Mexico
  • e Programa de Doctorado en Antropología de la Medicina, Universidad Rovira I Virgili, Tarragona, Spain

Abstract

Objective. To analyze how women who are left behind seek care in communities with a high migration index. Material and Methods. This is a cross-sectional study which used a qualitative approach. Sixty in-depth interviews were conducted between October 2004 and May 2005 with female partners of migrants in two communities (urban / rural) from a region in central Mexico with high migration to the United States. Results. Migration determines two forms of familial reorganization: one in which female partners of migrants reintegrate with their families; and one in which they remain on their own. Women who reintegrate with their families receive more support, but are also subjected to more control, rendering them with less capability to seek care, particularly related to sexual and reproductive health. Women who remain on their own have less support but have more control and capacity to seek care, with privacy and independence. Conclusions. The familial reorganization influences timely health care-seeking behaviour of female partners of migrants. The situations identified can function as obstacles or facilitators to mobilize healthcare resources.

Author Keywords

Mexico Health, women Migration Family

Index Keywords

urban population human middle aged statistics Internationality rural population international cooperation Mexico Cross-Sectional Studies interview cross-sectional study Humans Interviews as Topic female Socioeconomic Factors socioeconomics Article adult migration patient attitude Emigration and Immigration Patient Acceptance of Health Care
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-44349182597&partnerID=40&md5=4423ccec653e4a3ec22948c397bd8d0d
ISSN: 00363634
Cited by: 11
Original Language: Spanish