Vulnerability and health promotion of Haitian immigrants: reflections based on Paulo Freire's dialogic práxis.

Jeane Barros De Souza,Angélica Zanettini Konrad,Fernanda Walker,Juliana Praxedes Campagnoni,Ivonete Teresinha Schulter Buss Heidemann,Maira Lidia Schleicher

doi:10.1590/s1980-220x2020011403728

Abstract

To understand the perceptions of Haitian immigrants about the possibilities to promote health, in the face of the vulnerabilities they experience. This is a qualitative, participatory action study, based on Paulo Freire's Research Itinerary, which has three phases: thematic investigation; encoding and decoding; critical unveiling. Ten Haitian immigrants, students of a public university in Brazil, participated in the Culture Circle. In the face of vulnerabilities, Haitian immigrants expressed the need to participate in university social groups, to have moments of integration with Brazilians, to know their rights, to master the Portuguese language, to adapt socially and culturally and to the food, to engage in the promotion of mental health and quality of life through physical activities and leisure. The discussions led to a process of action-reflection-action, in which immigrants reframed their reality, looking for strategies to promote health and empowering themselves in the search for a healthier life.

Highlights

Migration flows in the world have become part of international policies for the protection of human rights
In the face of vulnerabilities, Haitian immigrants expressed the need to participate in university social groups, to have moments of integration with Brazilians, to know their rights, to master the Portuguese language, to adapt socially and culturally and to the food, to engage in the promotion of mental health and quality of life through physical activities and leisure
Vulnerability and health promotion of Haitian immigrants: reflections based on Paulo Freire’s dialogic praxis Chart 1 – Representation of the three generating themes discussed in the Culture Circle

Summary

Introduction

Migration flows in the world have become part of international policies for the protection of human rights. The subject has been debated in Brazilian policies, mainly due to the significant number of Haitian immigrants moving to the country, increased after the Brazilian government closed a deal with Haiti, the poorest nation in Latin America, granting them the humanitarian visa from 2012(1) on. In 2016, Brazil had 73,000 Haitians registered with the Federal Police, looking for employment, housing, protection of their rights, and decent living conditions. 6.815) is the Brazilian document that ensures them the same rights as the native citizens, including the right to a work permit, social security, and access to the Unified Health System (The Brazilian SUS). The Brazilian Federal Constitution of 1988 guarantees the rights to health, education, food, housing, work, leisure, and security for Brazilians and immigrants who have a visa. There are difficulties in enforcing these rights, as many immigrants do not have a job or have worse conditions compared to those of Brazilians, resulting in low socioeconomic conditions[2]

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Conclusion