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Intersections of Immigration and Sexual/Reproductive Health: An Umbrella Literature Review with a Focus on Health Equity

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  • Violeta Alarcão

    (Centro de Investigação e Estudos de Sociologia, ISCTE—Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (ISCTE-IUL), Avenida das Forças Armadas, 1649-026 Lisboa, Portugal
    Instituto de Saúde Ambiental (ISAMB), Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • Miodraga Stefanovska-Petkovska

    (Instituto de Saúde Ambiental (ISAMB), Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • Ana Virgolino

    (Instituto de Saúde Ambiental (ISAMB), Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • Osvaldo Santos

    (Instituto de Saúde Ambiental (ISAMB), Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
    Unbreakable Idea Research, Lda, 2550-426 Painho, Portugal)

  • Andreia Costa

    (Instituto de Saúde Ambiental (ISAMB), Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
    Escola Superior de Enfermagem de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal)

Abstract

Identifying the opportunities and barriers of promoting and fulfilling the sexual health rights of migrants remains a challenge that requires systematic assessment. Such an assessment would include estimating the influence of acculturation processes on sexual and reproductive health, and mapping intersectional inequities that influence migrants’ sexual and reproductive health in comparison with the native population. The aim of this research was to locate, select, and critically assess/summarize scientific evidence regarding the social, cultural, and structural factors influencing migrants’ sexual and reproductive health outcomes in comparison with native population. An umbrella review of systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses, following preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) standards was undertaken. Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched from their start date until June 2019. The quality of the included articles was determined using the assessment of multiple systematic reviews tool (AMSTAR 2). From the 36 selected studies, only 12 compared migrant with native populations. Overall, the findings indicated that migrants tend to underuse maternal health services and have an increased risk of poor sexual and reproductive health outcomes. Specific intersectional inequities were identified and discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Violeta Alarcão & Miodraga Stefanovska-Petkovska & Ana Virgolino & Osvaldo Santos & Andreia Costa, 2021. "Intersections of Immigration and Sexual/Reproductive Health: An Umbrella Literature Review with a Focus on Health Equity," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-29, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:10:y:2021:i:2:p:63-:d:496397
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gagnon, A.J. & Zimbeck, M. & Zeitlin, J., 2009. "Migration to western industrialised countries and perinatal health: A systematic review," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 69(6), pages 934-946, September.
    2. Kayvan Bozorgmehr & Oliver Razum, 2015. "Effect of Restricting Access to Health Care on Health Expenditures among Asylum-Seekers and Refugees: A Quasi-Experimental Study in Germany, 1994–2013," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(7), pages 1-22, July.
    3. Bollini, Paola & Pampallona, Sandro & Wanner, Philippe & Kupelnick, Bruce, 2009. "Pregnancy outcome of migrant women and integration policy: A systematic review of the international literature," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 68(3), pages 452-461, February.
    4. Armstrong, K. & Ravenell, K.L. & McMurphy, S. & Putt, M., 2007. "Racial/ethnic differences in physician distrust in the United States," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 97(7), pages 1283-1289.
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