The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among migrants in shelters in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico

Abstract

Migrants, especially those in camps and shelters, may be a vulnerable population during the COVID-19 pandemic, but little is known about the impact of the pandemic on them in low- and middle-income countries. We assessed SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity and RNA prevalence correlates of seropositivity (emphasizing social conditions) and the socioeconomic impact of the pandemic among migrants living in shelters in Tijuana, a city on the US-Mexico border. We conducted a cross-sectional, non-probability survey of migrants living in shelters in Tijuana in November-December 2020 and February-April 2021. Participants completed a questionnaire and provided anterior nasal swab and blood samples for detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA and antibodies (IgG and IgM), respectively. We explored whether SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with sociodemographic variables. was associated with sociodemographic and migratory variables, access to health services, protective behaviors, and health-related factors. In total, 481 participants were enrolled, 67.7% from northern Central America, 55.3% female, mean age 33.2 years. Seven (1.5%) participants had positive nasal swabs for SARS-CoV-2 RNA and 53.0% were SARS-CoV-2 seropositive. Avoiding public transportation (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.39 to 0.90) and months living in Tijuana (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.10) were associated with seropositivity. Sleeping on the street or in other risky places and having diabetes were marginally associated with seropositivity. Most participants (90.2%) had experienced some socioeconomic impact of the pandemic (eg, decreased income, loss of employment). Compared with the results of other studies conducted in the general population of Mexico at a similar time point, migrants living in shelters were at increased risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2, and suffered considerable adverse socioeconomic impacts as a consequence of the pandemic. Expanded public health and social support systems are needed to protect migrants.