Reproductive health and Bolivian migration in restrictive contexts of access to the health system in Córdoba, Argentina

BAEZA, BRÍGIDA; AIZENBERG, LILA

Health Sociology Review

Taylor and Francis

Lugar: Melbourne; Año: 2017 vol. 26 p. 254 - 265

Although issues of health have been thoroughly analysed in thefield of migration studies, there are still very few studies that seekto understand the reproductive health of women in migratoryprocesses. This article analyses the reproductive health of Bolivianmigrant women living in the city of Córdoba, Argentina, throughan analysis focused on the community assets that migrantsdeploy in the health-disease-care process within restrictivecontexts of access to the health system. The research consisted ofan exploratory study using in-depth interviews with Bolivianmigrant women and health professionals through theimplementation of semi-structured guidelines. The work showsthat, in an environment characterised by a health system that actsto exclude, migrant women develop a series of rational strategieswhere they draw on community assets embodied in forms of selfcare of the body and in community networks. Based on a processof reframing memories related to health practices in the Andeanworld, these women incorporate these assets and more easilyconfront the obstacles that they must overcome as migrants indifferent stages of their reproductive health.