Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 16, Issue 1, 2014, Pages 53-59

Migrants suffering violence while in transit through Mexico: Factors Associated with the decision to continue or turn back (Article)

Servan-Mori E. , Leyva-Flores R.* , Xibille C.I. , Torres-Pereda P. , Garcia-Cerde R.
  • a Centre for Evaluation and Survey Research, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Mexico
  • b Centre for Health Systems Research, National Institute of Public Health, Av. Universidad 655., Colonia Santa Maria Ahuacatitlan, Cuernavaca Morelos, Mexico
  • c Centre for Health Systems Research, National Institute of Public Health, Av. Universidad 655., Colonia Santa Maria Ahuacatitlan, Cuernavaca Morelos, Mexico
  • d Centre for Health Systems Research, National Institute of Public Health, Av. Universidad 655., Colonia Santa Maria Ahuacatitlan, Cuernavaca Morelos, Mexico
  • e Centre for Health Systems Research, National Institute of Public Health, Av. Universidad 655., Colonia Santa Maria Ahuacatitlan, Cuernavaca Morelos, Mexico

Abstract

To identify and analyze the factors associated with the decision of migrants suffering violence while in transit through Mexico, to continue on their trip or turn back. Cross-sectional study combining quantitative and qualitative analyses. Socio-demographic and health characteristics, as well as types of violence and factors associated with the decision to continue on the trip, were explored for 862 migrants. 35 migrants were interviewed to explore their perceptions of migration, socioeconomic and political situations in their countries of origin, risks, violence experienced, and the decision to continue on their trip. Of the 862 migrants, 21.1 % experienced violence during their transit through Mexico towards the USA. Of these, 88.5 % decided to continue on their journey. This decision was positively associated with age (OR = 1.075, p < 0.05), number of children (OR = 3.161, p < 0.10), homicide rate in the country of origin (OR = 1.043, p < 0.10) and proximity to the northern border. No differences were observed by sex, schooling, days in transit and the presence of health problems. The decision to continue the journey to the United States was related to structural factors in the countries of origin, rather than risks in transit. It is necessary to implement mechanisms to promote and protect the human rights of migrants during their whole journey (origin, transit and destination). © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York.

Author Keywords

Mexico international migration Structural violence human rights

Index Keywords

human travel violence statistics and numerical data Mexico Cross-Sectional Studies human rights interview cross-sectional study Humans Interviews as Topic male female risk factor Risk Factors adult migration crime victim Transients and Migrants decision making Crime Victims
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84895025203&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-012-9759-3&partnerID=40&md5=58096f813e36e796de15c5c6a3a3c3ec
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-012-9759-3
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 13
Original Language: English