Venezuelan Women Research Articles

The public health challenges of female migration: the Venezuelan diaspora in Andean countries

BackgroundVenezuelan migration has experienced an unprecedented increase in the last decade, with approximately 7.7 million Venezuelan-born individuals residing in other countries as of 2024. Our study aims to identify the potential and actual demand for healthcare services (SRH) in the Venezuelan diaspora’s four primary destinations within the Andean Countries: Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Chile.MethodsUsing official data from administrative records, censuses, and sample surveys reported by the host countries and international agencies, we estimate the annual evolution of Venezuelan-born women of reproductive age (WRA) and their offspring. Additionally, we conduct two case studies focusing on Colombia and Chile to analyse the groups most vulnerable to unmet health needs.ResultsThe population of WRA has increased to between 5 and 6.8%, and births have risen to approximately 3–8% in host countries due to Venezuelan migration. Yet, we found a general decrease in health coverage for certain age groups of Venezuelan female migrants in host countries for the period 2017–2022, particularly in Chile. By 2022, an estimated 20% of healthcare needs remained unmet among children, girls, and younger Venezuelan women, contributing to greater health inequalities between Venezuelan-born adolescents and those from other countries of birth.ConclusionsOur findings highlight the escalating demand for and limited access to healthcare services among Venezuelan WRA in their destinations. Unmet healthcare needs are particularly prevalent among younger women by 2022, underscoring the urgency for health system to incorporate gender-responsive, equitable interventions and ensuring health rights for high-risk migrant groups such as infants, children, adolescents, and younger women. Addressing these challenges remains a critical task for the regional public health agenda in Latin America.

Disparities in healthcare-seeking behaviors and associated costs between Venezuelan migrants and Colombians residing in Colombia

BackgroundColombia, which hosts over 3 million of the Venezuelan diaspora, is lauded for its progressive approach to social integration, including providing migrants access to its universal health coverage system. However, barriers to healthcare persist for both migrant and host populations, with poorly understood disparities in healthcare-seeking behaviors and associated costs. This is the first study to link healthcare-seeking behaviors with costs for Venezuelan migrants in Colombia, encompassing costs of missing work or usual activities due to healthcare events.MethodsWe use self-reported survey data from Venezuelan migrants and Colombians living in Colombia (September-November 2020) to compare healthcare-seeking behaviors and cost variables by nationality using two-sampled t-tests or Chi-square tests (X2). The International Classification of Diseases was used to compare reported household illnesses for both populations. Average health service direct costs were estimated using the Colombian Government’s Suficiencia database and self-reported out-of-pocket (OOP) payments for laboratory and pharmacy services. Indirect costs were calculated by multiplying self-reported days of missed work or usual activities with estimated income levels, derived by matching characteristics using the Gran Enquesta Integrada de Hogares database. We calculate economic burdens for both populations, combining self-reported healthcare-seeking behaviors and estimated healthcare service unit costs across six healthcare-seeking behavior categories.ResultsDespite similar disease profiles, Venezuelan migrants are 21.3% more likely to forego formal care than Colombians, with 746.3% more Venezuelans reporting lack of health insurance as their primary reason. Venezuelan women and uninsured report the greatest difficulties in accessing health services, with accessing medications becoming more difficult for Venezuelan women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Colombians cost the health system more per treated illness event (US$40) than Venezuelans (US$26) in our sample, over a thirty-day period. Venezuelans incur higher costs for emergency department visits (123.5% more) and laboratory/ pharmacy OOP payments (24.7% more).ConclusionsWhile Colombians and Venezuelans share similar disease burdens, significant differences exist in access, cost, and health-seeking behaviors. Increasing Venezuelan health insurance enrollment and tackling accessibility barriers are crucial for ensuring healthcare equity and effectively integrating the migrant population. Findings suggest that improving migrant access to primary healthcare would produce savings in Colombian healthcare expenditures.

Female and Migrant Entrepreneurship in SOS Children’s Villages in the Lambayeque Region, Peru

This quantitative research analyzes the entrepreneurial competencies of in-migrant women in the Children’s Village of the Lambayeque Region. With a sample of 79 women, 39 Peruvian and 40 Venezuelan, online surveys and observation forms were operated for 18 months (2021–2022). Using a Likert scale of 55 questions and nine dimensions, competencies such as opportunity seeking, risk anticipation, persistence, self-exertion, and more were assessed. Data were analyzed using correlations, ANOVA, logistic regression, and principal component analysis (PCA). The results revealed significant differences between nationalities, with Venezuelan women having higher competencies. The study identified two principal components that explain 57.663% of the total variance, representing initiative and quality, as well as control and responsibility. These findings suggest the need for specific training programs to strengthen the entrepreneurial competencies of these women. The inductive methodology and quantitative analysis provided a clear vision of entrepreneurial competencies, contributing to the improvement of support and training programs.

Unlocking the Puzzle: Investigating the Role of Interleukin 17 Genetic Polymorphisms, Circulating Lymphocytes, and Serum Levels in Venezuelan Women with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

Unlocking the Puzzle: Investigating the Role of Interleukin 17 Genetic Polymorphisms, Circulating Lymphocytes, and Serum Levels in Venezuelan Women with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

Inequality in financial risk protection in health among displaced populations: The case of Venezuelan women in Brazil

ObjectiveWorsening economic and social conditions in Venezuela have forced many to migrate. Women and girls are particularly at risk of health vulnerability in this context. This study examines healthcare expenditure and financial risk protection inequalities among Venezuelan migrant women in Brazil. MethodsWe conducted a survey of 2012 Venezuelan women aged 15–49 who migrated to Brazil between 2018 and 2021. We estimated and decomposed concentration indices to analyse inequalities in out-of-pocket healthcare expenditures (OOPHE) and catastrophic health expenditures (CHE) across the entire socioeconomic distribution. We applied Blinder-Oaxaca decompositions to explain differences in healthcare spending between migrant and Brazilian women. ResultsVenezuelan migrant women displayed noticeable disparities in OOPHE and incidence of CHE. Approximately half of our sample of migrants reported no income, no expenditures, and hence no CHE. OOPHE and CHE incidence were concentrated among less poor migrant women, whilst for Brazilian women, CHE was concentrated among the poorer. Location, time since arrival to Brazil, higher education, and income were key contributors to socioeconomic inequality in OOPHE and CHE for migrants. The main explanatory factor for differences in OOPHE between migrants and non-migrants was differences in income profiles. ConclusionsAddressing financial risk protection in health is crucial for displaced populations, especially women and girls. While the public health system in Brazil offers universal healthcare coverage in principle, our results suggest that there is still a significant risk of lack of access to healthcare for Venezuelan migrant women, which may be driven by insufficient financial means.

Healthcare access, quality and financial risk protection among displaced Venezuelan women living in Brazil: a cross-sectional study

Millions of Venezuelans have been displaced because of deteriorating socio-economic conditions in their country. We examine key domains of universal health coverage among migrant Venezuelan women in Brazil: healthcare access, care quality and financial risk protection. We collected primary data on 2012 Venezuelan women aged 15-49 who migrated to Brazil between 2018 and 2021, in the cities of Boa Vista and Manaus, along with secondary data for Brazilian women. We used linear regression with entropy balance matching to estimate associations between migrant status and healthcare spending, utilisation and quality indicators. Our sample had a mean age of 29.5 years (S.D. 8.9), 64% (1286/2011) of mixed ethnicity, 29% (577/2011) white, 4% (71/2011) black, 3% (62/2011) indigenous and 1% (15/2011) other ethnicities. Compared to Brazilian women, migrant women had 9.5 percentage points (pp) (95% CI: 6 pp-13 pp; p<0.0001) higher catastrophic health expenditure incidence. Migrants were 27 pp (95% CI: 11 pp-43 pp; p=0.0008) more likely to receive healthcare when sought, but 37 pp (95% CI:-45 pp to-29 pp; p<0.0001) less likely to have had a pap smear in the last three years. Migrants were as likely as non-migrants to have received pap smear results within three months (95% CI:-9 pp to 22pp; p=0.39) and clinically appropriate antenatal consultations (95% CI:-10 pp to 40 pp; p=0.23). Migrant women in Brazil have relatively good healthcare access and quality outcomes. Yet a potential backlog of unmet sexual and reproductive healthcare needs and inadequate financial risk protection require policy attention. UK Economic and Social Research Council (ES/T00441X/1).

The rights of Venezuelan Indigenous women in Brazil

The large flow of indigenous refugees/migrants in Brazil represents a range of challenges in the context of social protection. Indigenous women face various forms of historical discrimination, and the situation is aggravated with the migrant and refugee population. This fact results in the exposure of this population to human rights violations in all everyday contexts, impacting civil, political, economic, social, cultural rights, access to justice, as well as the right to a life without violence. The study has as general objective to identify the rights of indigenous Venezuelan women in Brazil. A qualitative descriptive methodology was used, through a bibliographical review through the reading of literary works, articles, theses, and monographs that cover the object of study, as well as IOM Reports in Brazil. It is concluded that there is still much to be done, but, in the context of social assistance, in the analyzed location, the rights of Venezuelan indigenous women are being observed and the implemented actions are being improved.

Barriers to access to health care according to Peruvian-Venezuelan nationality in postpartum women in a public hospital in Peru.

Objective: Analyze the barriers to access to health care according to Peruvian - Venezuelan nationality in postpartum women in a Public Hospital of Peru 2022 – 2023. Methods: Observational, analytical, prospective and cross-sectional study; included a sample of 284 postpartum women of Peruvian and Venezuelan nationality, from the San Juan de Lurigancho Hospital, selected by stratified sampling. The data collection technique was a survey and the instrument was a valid and reliable questionnaire. Pearson’s chi-square or Fisher’s exact test was used to determine the difference. The association was assessed using the Poisson regression test and the sense of regression using the crude and adjusted prevalence ratio. Results: 87,3 % of postpartum women were Peruvian and 12,7 % Venezuelan. The most frequent barriers to access to health care in Peruvians were availability: not having all the services necessary for care (p &lt; 0,001) and acceptability: feeling that their beliefs or customs were affected (p &lt; 0,001). Venezuelan postpartum women reported as barriers to acceptability: having received different treatment for being a migrant (p &lt; 0,001) and having felt discrimination during care (p = 0,007). Conclusions: There is a significant difference in the barriers to access to health care in postpartum women, with availability and acceptability barriers occurring in Peruvian women and the latter in Venezuelan women.

Migration process of Venezuelan women to Brazil: living conditions and use of health services in Manaus and Boa Vista, 2018-2021.

The last decade saw the emergence of a new significant migration corridor due to the mass migration of Venezuelans to neighboring countries in South America. Since 2018, Brazil became the third host country of Venezuelan displaced populations. Little is known about how migratory processes affect needs, access to social programs, and public health services of migrant women. The goal of this study is to shed light on the socio-economic profile, living conditions, and use of health services of Venezuelan migrant women in two main reception cities in Brazil. A survey was conducted using respondent-driven sampling (RDS) in the cities of Boa Vista (Roraima), and Manaus (Amazonas). The study included 2012 Venezuelan migrant women aged between 15 and 49 years old who migrated from Venezuela to Brazil between 2018 and 2021. Relative prevalence was calculated, and the χ2 test was used to analyse the homogeneity of proportions. All analyses considered the complex sampling. The main reasons for migrating relate to difficulties obtaining food (54%) and accessing health services (37.8%) in their country of origin. They were young and mixed race (65.7%) and had high school education (69.9%). In Manaus, 3.7% of the interviewees declared that they had no family income in the last month, while in Boa Vista, it was higher (66.2%) (p-value < 0.001). Almost one-third of them sought health care in the last 15 days, and 95% of them received care. The residents of Boa Vista arrived more recently and family income and access to paid work improved with time of residence in Brazil. Given the increasing flow of Venezuelan migrants crossing to Brazil, a reception system was established for the provision of food, shelter, access to health services, and income transfer programs to migrants. This was the case despite high unemployment and poverty levels and income inequality, particularly in the city of Boa Vista. However, the majority had legal migrant status and had access to the public and universal healthcare system in Brazil (SUS). The use of the SUS was similar in both cities, acting as a buffer for the differences in opportunities offered.

A preliminary analysis of the emergency protective measures granted to migrant women in the context of sheltering in the city of Boa Vista-RR

This article aims to address violence against migrants and the implementation of emergency protective measures granted to Venezuelan women in a sheltering context in Boa Vista-RR. The research has an exploratory character and the data collection procedures were predominantly bibliographic and documentary. In the recent Venezuelan exodus, female migration has been gaining prominence in the state of Roraima, one of the most lethal for women. However, women in situations of mobility and shelter are more susceptible to suffering violence due to their multiple vulnerabilities. Those who are sheltered, despite the protection system in shelters, are also exposed to family violence. Thus, gender violence as a social issue is systemic and linked to the practices of power and male domination, typical of patriarchal logic.

“Violence Across Borders: Venezuelan Women and the Continuum of Violence in Migration and Settlement”

The ongoing conflict in Venezuela has created significant risks for women and girls. Conflict affected populations often face higher levels of vulnerability and risks of gender-based violence (GBV) at home, in transit and at destination countries. Venezuelan women face GBV at all stages of their journey. Due to their often-irregular or undocumented status in host countries, many women lack legal access to healthcare and work which leaves them vulnerable to exploitation and GBV. Using the continuum of violence model by Kelly (1988; 2012) as well as Menjívar &amp; Walsh (2017; 2019), this work underscores the complex ways in which gender, nationality and legal status interact with each other to shape patterns of migration and settlement. Focusing on the two largest receiving countries in Latin America: Colombia and Peru, this work also outlines how the structural, symbolic and interpersonal nature of GBV crosses borders amid the challenges of conflict, displacement and xenophobia.

An Exploration of the Social Support of Women in Sex Work in Cúcuta, Colombia

Social support for women in sex work is essential for their overall health and well-being. In the city of Cúcuta, Colombia, both domestic Colombian and migrant Venezuelan women utilize the sex industry to obtain an income. However, with limited resources in this area and little prior research about the current supports, this study explores the social support accessed and received, the social support desired, and identifies the formal social support available to women in sex work in Cúcuta, Colombia. To conduct this research, 28 interviews were conducted: 10 with Colombian women in sex work, 12 with Venezuelan women in sex work, and 6 with professionals representing various social service organizations. Findings indicated that most of the women relied on informal support, yet many women also expressed a desire for formal social support services, specifically related to health care, food, and housing assistance. Nonetheless, gaps persist in the availability of desired formal services This research demonstrates the importance of service providers working with women in sex work directly to understand their lived experiences, while also demonstrating self-determination and empowerment. Further research is needed to measure the implementation efficacy of formal services and the barriers to access for women in sex work.

Comparing migration experiences of Venezuelan women and girls: a mixed-method, cross-sectional analysis of refugees/migrants in Ecuador, Peru and Brazil

ObjectiveOver the past decade, geopolitical turmoil in Venezuela has resulted in the displacement of 7.1 million people, resulting in a migration and refugee crisis.Methods and analysisThis current cross-sectional, mixed-method research,...

Contraception and abortion in times of crisis: results from an online survey of Venezuelan women.

In the last decade, Venezuela has experienced a complex humanitarian crisis that has limited access to healthcare. We set out to describe Venezuelan women's experiences accessing sexual and reproductive health services, including abortion, which is heavily restricted by law. We fielded an online survey in July of 2020 among Venezuelan women recruited through social media advertisements. We conducted descriptive statistical analyses using Excel and STATA SE Version 16.0. We received 851 completed survey responses. Almost all respondents experienced significant hardship in the last year, including inflation (99%), worries about personal safety (86%), power outages (76%), and lack of access to clean water (74%) and medications (74%). Two thirds of respondents used contraception in the last two years, and almost half (44%) of respondents had difficulty accessing contraception during that same time period. About one fifth of respondents reported having had an abortion; of these, 63% used abortion pills, and 72% reported difficulties in the process. Half of those who had an abortion did it on their own, while the other half sought help - either from family members or friends (34%), from providers in the private health sector (14%), or from the Internet (12%). Venezuelan women who responded to our survey describe a harsh context with limited access to sexual and reproductive health services. However, they report relatively high rates of contraceptive use, and abortion seems to be common despite the restrictive legal setting.

Challenges of Migrant and Refugee Women in Local Integration Processes: Case of Venezuela And Colombia "Welcome All"

This paper examines why local integration processes differ between men and women from a gender perspective. The challenges that migrant and refugee women face in accessing rights and benefits are different due to the prevalence of traditional gender norms and the discrimination of power structures. How gender is defined and conceived has shaped migration patterns, the conditions during the mobilisation and the later circumstances in the host countries. Women migrants and refugees assume burdens related to sexist notions and ideas about their role in the world, and they are excluded from most of the social, cultural, political and economic spheres necessary for the process of recovery, adaptation and integration in the new contexts. This study used qualitative and quantitative research based on a case study of refugee and migrant Venezuelan women in Colombia, where was applied regressions with linear and probabilistic methods to determine the relationships and causalities between selected variables of the essential conditions to achieve local integration. The results of the exercise evidenced that even when existing equality in legal guarantees for refugees and migrant populations, there is a gap between the processes of local integration between men and women. The empirical data concluded that refugees and migrant women faced more challenges and limited access to opportunities.

Is using the Gail model to calculate the risk of breast cancer in the Venezuelan population justified?

To evaluate the accuracy of the Gail model (GM) in women who already have a diagnosis of breast cancer (BC) from the Breast Pathology Service, Hospital Oncology Department of the Venezuelan Social Security Institute (SOH-IVSS) in the period 2004-2014. To compare the accuracy of the GM in women aged above and below 40 years with a diagnosis of BC. Descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional, 830 records of patients diagnosed with BC were reviewed between 2004 and 2014. The mean age for diagnosis of the disease was 46 ± 13 years; menarche age was 13 years ± 2; age at first birth 22 ± 5 years, with a history of biopsy 32 ± 11, the percentage of relatives with a primary history of BC reported (PHBC) 9.3%. Only 41% of women with a diagnosis of BC reported Gail >1.67 (positive Gail). In the dichotomous logistic regression that related positive Gail with the independent variables, it was observed: greater probability of positive Gail if menarche age <11 years (p < 0.036), PHBC (p = 0.005), previous biopsy (p = 0.007), age at first birth 25-29 years (p = 0.019). When stratifying by age, unlike the bivariate analysis, women over 40 years of age are more likely to have a positive Gail in menarche age <11 years (p = 0.008), PHBC (p = 0.001), previous biopsy (p = 0.025) when compared with younger women, the age at first birth between 25 and 29 years was statistically significant for both groups; however, the probability was higher in younger women (p = 0.008). There is no conclusive evidence to consider that the GM is applicable to Venezuelan women due to its low precision since it only identified 41% of the patients who had BC as high risk; however, when the factors are analysed separately, we found a higher probability of a positive Gail with statistical significance in EM <11 years, PHBC, previous biopsy and age at first birth 25-29 years; When stratifying by age, we observed that the age at first birth 25-29 years in women aged 40 or less increases the probability of a positive Gail. It is necessary to develop new risk assessment models that are adapted to our female population.

Feminización de trayectorias migratorias pendulares y flotantes en la frontera colombo-venezolana

This article describes and characterizes the floating and pendular migration flows of a group of Venezuelan women in the border city of Arauca, Colombia. Using a qualitative methodological approach, field observations, in-depth interviews, focus groups, and a literature review of updated academic, regulatory, and institutional texts were conducted in an area of study with limited gender-based description. Thus, this study highlights the role of Venezuelan women as active migrant subjects and concludes that the labor, family, and social trajectories of the interviewed women are transversely modified by their migration experience, as they are subjected to various risks that expose their vulnerability as migrant women, in addition to risks derived from xenophobia and discrimination. Paradoxically, the migratory diaspora represents their only hope for having a better quality of life.

Maternal and perinatal health among pregnant patients in the context of a migratory crisis.

To compare maternal and perinatal outcomes of migrant Venezuelan women with local pregnant patients in a Colombian institution in the context of a migratory crisis. This cross-sectional study included 11 304 deliveries from the Clínica de Maternidad Rafael Calvo in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, a tertiary referral center on the north coast of Colombia. Data on maternal demographics and perinatal outcomes were obtained by chart review. In total, 595 patients were identified as Venezuelan migrants, and their perinatal outcomes were compared against those of 10 709 local pregnant patients. Despite similar baseline maternal conditions in both groups, poorer prenatal follow-up care (3 [1-5] vs. 5 [4-7] visits; P < 0.001) and severe complications were more common in Venezuelan migrant pregnant patients and their children. In addition, maternal hypertension was significantly more common in migrants (11.4% [68/595] vs. 8.3% [887/10709]; P = 0.009). Furthermore, in the group of pregnant migrant patients, the rates of severe maternal morbidity (13.4% [80/575] vs. 9.45%, [1013/10709]; P = 0.002), neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (22/595 [3.7%] vs. 237/10709 [2.23%]; P = 0.03), and perinatal mortality (11/586 [1.88%] vs. 67/10651 [0.63%]; P = 0.003) were significantly higher than in the local pregnant population. Forced migration during pregnancy may be associated with poorer prenatal care, which may predispose women and their newborns to more frequent adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Addressing HIV/AIDS and syphilis in Venezuelan migrant women from the perspective of health managers in the North of BrazilManejo de la infección por el VIH/sida y la sífilis en mujeres migrantes venezolanas desde la perspectiva de los gestores de salud en el norte de Brasil

To identify the perception of health managers regarding the actions taken and the challenges encountered in addressing HIV and syphilis in Venezuelan migrant women in Brazil. This descriptive-exploratory study using a qualitative approach was conducted from January to March 2021 in the municipalities of Boa Vista (state of Roraima) and Manaus (state of Amazonas). Audio interviews with the participants were transcribed in full and examined using thematic content analysis. Ten managers were interviewed (five in Boa Vista and five in Manaus). Content analysis identified the following domains and themes: available infrastructure for diagnosis and treatment of AIDS and syphilis - access, availability of medical appointments /waiting list, training of health teams, and psychosocial support; challenges faced by Venezuelan women - language, documentation issues, and frequent address changes; and strategies and actions adopted and expectations for addressing HIV/AIDS and syphilis in the context of migration. Despite the care provided to Venezuelan women in Brazil - guaranteed by the universal nature of the Brazilian health system - language and lack of documentation remain as barriers. Given the absence of action plans and future planning for the care of migrant women with HIV or syphilis in municipalities, it is important to develop public policies aimed at minimizing the difficulties faced by this population.

Contraceptive vaginal ring (MyRing®): multicenter study in Venezuelan women.

Objective: To evaluate the factors associated with the use of the vaginal ring in Venezuelan women of reproductive age, with a desire for contraception and with an active sexual life. Methods: Observational - descriptive, multicenter study. The sample was non-probabilistic, deliberate and voluntary. The vaginal ring was provided for three cycles and follow-up visits were made at the end of the first and third menstrual cycles. Acceptability, tolerability, compliance, menstrual cycle control, and the presence of adverse effects were evaluated. Results: A total of 140 women were included, whose mean age was 31.01 ± 8.14 years. The reasons for selecting the vaginal ring were: effectively prevents pregnancy (69.29 %), easy to use (68.57 %), method of monthly use (65.71 %). The bleeding pattern was reported as regular in 95% of the women in the second consultation and in 92.8% in the third; 88.57% reported absence of intermenstrual bleeding. There was adequate compliance in 97.86%; 96.43% expressed that it was easy to use and 92.86% comfortable at a sexual level. There were no statistically significant differences in the average weight at the second and third consultation (p &gt; 0.05), nor in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p &gt; 0.05). There were no adverse events in 77%, when there were, the most frequent were headache, nausea and mastodynia; there were no serious adverse events or pregnancy. Conclusion: The contraceptive vaginal ring is a well-tolerated option with excellent acceptance, sexual and general satisfaction, safe, with few adverse events.