Prenatal care of Venezuelans in Colombia: migrants navigating the healthcare system

Abstract

This study explored the experiences of irregular Venezuelan migrants in accessing prenatal health services in Colombia, taking into account the economic, social and cultural resources mobilized by them to access care. Data were retrieved from the qualitative component of a multimethod research conducted with pregnant immigrants in Barranquilla, Colombia, between 2018 and 2019, and triangulated with a review of the norms established by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection. It was identified that this population having limited economic capital, used social capital from personal networks and migrant organizations. They obtained cultural capital in health in the form of information about the health system and used their cultural competencies to interact with this system.