P3.089: Health status and living conditions of north-bound migrant minors in Mexico at place of origin and during the migration journey: A cross-sectional, mixed-methods study

Background: The passage of north-bound migrants through Mexico has increased dramatically in the last decade, with an increasing proportion of minors. Although the negative impact that the migratory journey can have on the well-being of minors is known, there is little evidence about the state of health and living conditions of north-bound migrant children and adolescents in Mexico throughout their migratory journey and during the predeparture period. The aim of this study was to better characterize the evolution of health status and its contributing factors in this population through the different stages of migration.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, mixed-methods study with migrant caregivers staying with minors in shelters in the cities of Piedras Negras, Saltillo, and Monterrey in northern Mexico. Quantitative data were collected through surveys using validated tools to assess minors’ well-being and health-related social needs and were analyzed descriptively and inferentially. Qualitative data were obtained through focus group discussions using a semi-structured interview guide and analyzed through thematic analysis. Data collection was completed July-September 2024.

Results: One hundred eighteen primary caregivers of migrant children and adolescents responded to the surveys. The caregivers shared information from 200 minors before and during the journey, with an average age of 7.4 years and mainly Honduran and Venezuelan origin (64.3% and 13.3%, respectively). Sixteen primary caregivers participated in four focus group discussions.
Caregivers reported precarious and unsafe living conditions at origin and along the journey, as well as a series of barriers hindering access to health services. A large portion of the minors had health-related social needs in terms of unstable or poor-quality housing (65.3%), food instability (76.5%), unreliable transportation (43.4%), difficulty paying utility bills (89.8%), and abuse (39%) in their place of origin. The minors also experienced significant shortcomings during most of the travel time, including not sleeping indoors (49.5%), not having access to bathrooms (50%), not having enough water to drink (45%), not having enough nutritious food (58%), not having access to hygiene products/measures (70.5%), and not having enough clothing (63.5%). Furthermore, they had unmet health needs at both place of origin (21.3%) and during the journey (16.5%).
Deterioration in the mental and physical health of minors was observed between the pre-departure and travel periods, with higher levels of body pain in all minors as well as a deterioration of self-esteem and mental health in children over five years of age and of physical abilities and behavior in children 1-5 years of age.

Conclusion: Our study illuminates adversities faced by migrant children and adolescents in Latin America along the migratory journey and reports reductions in their well-being. There remains a need to continue supporting the implementation of interventions that contribute to the well-being of minors in transit in the region.