ArticlePublic health2025
Structural barriers to prenatal care for migrant women at the United States-Mexico border: a qualitative study.
Article in Public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
objectivesRecent United States (US) immigration policies have left thousands of asylum seekers stranded in Mexican border cities with limited access to healthcare. Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable, often facing substantial barriers to receiving adequate prenatal care (PNC). This study aimed to describe the state of PNC delivery at the US-Mexico border through the challenges, experiences, and perspectives of healthcare workers (HCWs). STUDY
designQualitative study.
methodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 HCWs (6 nurses and 4 physicians) who volunteered at non-governmental organization (NGO)-operated clinics in Matamoros and Reynosa between 2019 and 2023. Interviews were conducted in June-July 2023 and analyzed using thematic analysis.
resultsThree inductive themes emerged: (1) structural violence; (2) resource limitations; and (3) care fragmentation. Participants reported that PNC frequently fell below international standards. Continuity of care was disrupted by patient transience, limited infrastructure, and reliance on short-term staffing. Additional barriers included shortages of specialized providers, fragmented medical records, institutional racism, and the impacts of cartel-related violence.
conclusionsThis study underscores the structural and systemic barriers shaping maternal healthcare delivery in humanitarian border settings. Improving care for pregnant migrants will require comprehensive policy reform, strategic resource allocation, and rights-based, cross-border approaches. Future research should engage migrant communities and local providers to develop responsive models that bridge the gap between inclusive policy and frontline care.
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