General Characteristics of the Original Articles Included in the Scoping Review on Health and Immigration in Spain

Fundamentos: La realidad socio-demográfica configurada en España a partir de la incorporación de la población inmigrante requiere analizar las necesidades y prioridades generadas por esta situación en todos los ámbitos, incluido el de la investigación en salud. El objetivo del presente estudio es conocer las características generales de los artículos incluidos en una revisión bibliográfica sobre este tema y realizada en el marco del Subprograma de Salud e Inmigración del CIBERESP. Métodos: Revisión bibliográfica de los artículos originales publicados en español o inglés en el periodo 1998-2012. Se seleccionaron artículos realizados en España y que cumplieran la definición de inmigrante de la Organización Internacional de Migraciones. La búsqueda bibliográfica se realizó en Medline y MEDES. Se analizó la distribución temporal de la producción y las características generales de los artículos mediante frecuencias absolutas y relativas. Resultados: En la búsqueda inicial se identificaron 2.625 artículos (2.434 Medline y 191 Medes-MEDicina), finalmente se incluyeron los 311 que cumplían criterios de inclusión. La mayoría eran estudios epidemiológicos de diseño transversal realizados con datos primarios. En el 69% se comparó a la población inmigrante con la autóctona. En 217, (70%) la temática principal fue la relacionada con enfermedades transmisibles. En 256 (82%) el periodo producción fue entre 2004 y 2011. En 220 (71%) el país de origen fue la forma más común de clasificación de la población inmigrante. Conclusiones: Las enfermedades transmisibles fueron el principal objeto de investigación de los estudios desarrollados en España sobre salud de la población inmigrante. La mayoría de estudios incluyen a la población autóctona como grupo de comparación.Background: The new socio-demographic reality that came about with the incorporation of the immigrant population in Spain requires an analysis of the needs and priorities generated by this situation in all areas, including research in health. The objective of this study is to determine the general characteristics of a group of articles included in a literature review on the subject, carried out within the framework of the CIBERSP Subprogram on Migration and Health. Methods: Scoping Review of the literature published in the period 1998-2012.Articles in Spanish or English developed in Spain and that fulfil the definition of immigrant from the International Organization for Migration were selected. The literature search was performed in Medline and MEDES. The temporal distribution of the production and main characteristics of the articles are described trough absolute and relative frequencies. Results: The initial search identified 2.625 articles (Medline 2434; 191 Medes-MEDicina) 311 were including finally. Most epidemiological studies are cross-sectional design with primary data. 69% compared with native population. The main theme has been associated with infectious diseases (n=217, 70%). The period of maximum production is between 2004 and 2011(n=256, 82%). The country of origin is the most common way of classifying immigrants (n=220, 71%). Conclusions: The epidemiology of infectious prevails as the main theme of the studies performed in Spain about the health of the immigrant population. Most of the studies include native population as a comparison group

Experiences and constructions of womanhood and motherhood among Spanish Roma women

Roma women face multiple inequalities at the intersections of ethnicity, gender, and class. Framed by Romani feminism, studies have explored Roma women’s own perspectives and experiences, drawing attention to the diversity within this group and the specificities of their social position due to the complex forms of discrimination they face. Drawing on interviews with Spanish Roma women, this article contributes to and extends this strand of research by exploring Roma women’s experiences and constructions of womanhood and motherhood. We found the construction of womanhood to be focused on the effective management of responsibilities, particularly caring and household tasks. Moreover, Roma women defined motherhood as a valued experience for them and their communities. A homemaker position was associated with mattering, something, we argue, which needs to be understood in the context of racial hostility, exclusion, and precarity in which Roma women live.This article draws on data from RoMOMatteR, a research project funded by the DG Justice of the European Commission in the Call for proposals for action grants under 2017 Rights Equality and Citizenship Work REC-AG#809813

Menarche and reproductive health in Spanish Roma women from a reproductive justice perspective: a qualitative study

Objectives This study aimed to explore the perceptions of Roma women about their experience of menarche and reproductive health considering the principles of reproductive justice. Design Qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews with Roma women ages 18 through 67 in different neighbourhoods in the southeast of Spain. Using a thematic analysis, we analyzed experiences related to menarche and menstruation and their significance for reproductive health, the preparation for the phase of menarche and intergenerational support. Results The Roma women interviewed shared their approach to the experiences of menarche and menstruation as children in their family environments with a focus on access to information provided by other women in the family and community for reproductive health management. In their discourses we observed that the onset of menstruation supposes a rupture in the public and private spaces of girls and women. Conclusions The results of this study suggest that women and girls do not gain access to information that contributes to their reproductive wellbeing through their experience of menarche. Access to resources and skills to manage biological changes in adolescents could contribute to reducing the impact of cultural myths, false ideas and taboos that prevent advocacy and empowerment on issues of reproductive justice.This initiative is funded by the DG Justice of the European Commission in the call for proposals for action grants under 2017 Rights Equality and Citizenship Work REC-AG #809813. The work was supported by the Generalitat Valenciana Research and Development Programme (2022- 2024) [ref. CIAICO/2021/019]

Preventing and addressing intimate partner violence against migrant and ethnic minority women: the role of the health sector

Violence against women is an extreme manifestation of gender inequality in society and a serious violation of fundamental human rights. Intimate partner violence (IPV) is the most common type of such violence and takes place within couples. IPV can lead to death, physical injury, functional impairment, mental health problems, negative health behaviour, chronic conditions and reproductive health problems. Institutional discrimination, lack of access to or knowledge of services, and cultural differences can prevent women who are not only experiencing IPV but also migrants or members of ethnic minorities from seeking help. This policy brief aims to provide input into the role of the health sector in preventing and addressing IPV among migrant women and those of ethnic minorities. It describes the scope of the problem, presenting key evidence, and makes recommendations for health policy and health systems, health facilities and health service providers

The coverage of obesity in the Spanish newspapers (2000-2005)

Antecedentes: la obesidad es un problema de salud pública en España. Los medios de comunicación son una herramienta útil para la salud pública. Objetivo: explorar el tratamiento periodístico de la obesidad en la prensa escrita española durante 2000-2005, frecuencia de aparición, fuentes de información y enfoques, en relación con el contexto social. Materiales y métodos: análisis de contenido cuantitativo de 690 noticias publicadas en El País, El Mundo y ABC. Cálculo de frecuencias y odds ratio (OR) con intervalos de confianza (IC) del 95% y significación estadística. Resultados: incrementaron las noticias de 2000 (n=25) a 2005 (n=185). Se centraron en denuncias (36,4%) y magnitud del problema (15,7%), en detrimento de aquellas sobre iniciativas-estrategias políticas (3,8%). Destacan los hombres como fuentes informativas principales (75,5%) y las mujeres como primeras firmantes de las noticias (56,1%). Los hombres del ámbito médico-sanitario (OR=1,98;IC95%,1,11-3,57) y las mujeres del ámbito político (OR=2,54;IC95%1,46-4,42) tienen mayor probabilidad de ser la fuente informativa principal. Conclusiones: la cobertura periodística de la obesidad durante 2000-2005 aumentó, coincidiendo con el desarrollo de respuestas políticas en torno al tema. Principalmente, se denuncia el problema. Destaca la escasa cobertura periodística de iniciativas-estrategias políticas, sugiriendo incipiente interacción entre la agenda política y mediática.Antecedents: obesity is a public health problem in Spain. Mass media are considered a useful tool for public health. Objectives: to explore press coverage of obesity in Spanish newspapers between 2000-2005, taking into account the social context in relation to frequency of occurrence, main sources of information and focus. Materials and methods: quantitative content analysis of 690 news published in El Pais, El Mundo and ABC were performed. Calculation of frequencies and odds ratio (OR) with confidence intervals (CI) of 95% and statistical significance were performed. Results: press coverage of obesity increased between 2000 (n=25) to 2005 (n=185). Mainly it was focused on complaints (36,4%) and magnitude of the problem (15,7%) at the expense of news about initiatives-political strategies (3,8%). It was highlighted that men were the main sources of information (75,5%) and women as first signatories of the news (56,1%). Men from the medical/sanitary field (OR=1,98;CI 95%,1,11-3,57) and women from the field of policy (OR=2,54; CI 95%,1,46-4,42) were more likely to be the main source of information. Conclusions: media coverage of obesity in the period 2000-2005 increased, coinciding with the development of policy responses on this issue. Mainly, the news has reported the existence of the problem. It highlights the limited coverage of initiatives-policy strategies that could be related to an incipient interaction between the political and the media agenda

Legislación sobre la violencia contra la mujer: panorama de los elementos fundamentales

This study aimed to determine if legislation on violence against women (VAW) worldwide contains key components recommended by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the United Nations (UN) to help strengthen VAW prevention and provide better integrated victim protection, support, and care. A systematic search for VAW legislation using international legal databases and other electronic sources plus data from previous research identified 124 countries/territories with some type of VAW legislation. Full legal texts were found for legislation from 104 countries/territories. Those available in English, Portuguese, and Spanish were downloaded and compiled and the selection criteria applied (use of any of the common terms related to VAW, including intimate partner violence (IPV), and reference to at least two of six sectors (education, health, judicial system, mass media, police, and social services) with regard to VAW interventions (protection, support, and care). A final sample from 80 countries/territories was selected and analyzed for the presence of key components recommended by PAHO and the UN (reference to the term "violence against women" in the title; definitions of different types of VAW; identification of women as beneficiaries; and promotion of (reference to) the participation of multiple sectors in VAW interventions). Few countries/territories specifically identified women as the beneficiaries of their VAW legislation, including those that labeled their legislation "domestic violence" law ( n = 51), of which only two explicitly mentioned women as complainants/survivors. Only 28 countries/territories defined the main forms of VAW (economic, physical, psychological, and sexual) in their VAW legislation. Most highlighted the role of the judicial system, followed by that of social services and the police. Only 28 mentioned the health sector. Despite considerable efforts worldwide to strengthen VAW legislation, most VAW laws do not incorporate the key recommended components. Significant limitations were found in the legislative content, its application, and the extent to which it provided women with integrated protection, support, and care. In developing new VAW legislation, policymakers should consider the vital role of health services.El estudio se centró en determinar si la legislación sobre la violencia contra la mujer en el mundo contiene los elementos fundamentales que recomiendan la Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS) y las Naciones Unidas (NU) para ayudar a fortalecer la prevención de la violencia contra la mujer y brindar mejor protección, apoyo y atención integrados a las víctimas. Se llevó a cabo una búsqueda sistemática de la legislación sobre la violencia contra la mujer utilizando bases de datos jurídicas internacionales y otras fuentes electrónicas, además de los datos de investigaciones anteriores, y se identificaron 124 países o territorios con algún tipo de legislación sobre la violencia contra la mujer. Se encontraron textos jurídicos completos con legislación de 104 países o territorios. Se descargaron y compilaron aquellos disponibles en inglés, portugués y español, y se sometieron a los criterios de selección (uso de alguno de los términos frecuentes relacionados con la violencia contra la mujer, inclusive la violencia de pareja, y referencia al menos a dos entre seis sectores de servicios [educación, salud, sistema judicial, medios masivos de comunicación, policía y servicios sociales] respecto de las intervenciones relacionadas con la violencia contra la mujer [protección, apoyo y atención]). Se seleccionó una muestra final de 80 países o territorios y se analizó en ella la presencia de los componentes clave recomendados por la OPS y las NU (referencia a la “violencia contra la mujer” en el título; definiciones de diferentes formas de violencia contra la mujer; identificación de las mujeres como beneficiarias; y promoción de [referencia a] la participación de múltiples sectores en las intervenciones relacionadas con la violencia contra la mujer). Pocos países o territorios identificaron específicamente a las mujeres como beneficiarias de su legislación sobre violencia contra la mujer, incluidos los que denominaban su legislación como ley de “violencia doméstica” (n = 51), de los cuales solo dos mencionaban explícitamente a las mujeres como demandantes o supervivientes. Solo 28 países o territorios definieron las formas principales de violencia contra la mujer (económica, física, psicológica y sexual) en su legislación sobre la violencia contra la mujer. La mayoría destacaron la función del sistema judicial, seguida por la función de los servicios sociales y la policía. Solo 28 hicieron mención al sector de la salud. A pesar de los considerables esfuerzos que se han hecho en todo el mundo para fortalecer la legislación sobre la violencia contra la mujer, la mayoría de las leyes relativas a la violencia contra la mujer no incorporan los componentes clave recomendados. Se han encontrado importantes limitaciones en el contenido legislativo, en su aplicación y en la medida en que se proporcionó a las mujeres protección, apoyo y atención integrados. A la hora de elaborar la nueva legislación sobre la violencia contra la mujer, las instancias normativas deben considerar la función vital de los servicios de salud.This research was made possible thanks to sponsorship from the Women’s Health Observatory (Observatorio de Salud de la Mujer) of the Spanish Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality (Ministerio de Sanidad, Servicios Sociales e Igualdad)

Worldwide violence against women legislation: an equity approach

OBJECTIVES: To describe the recommendations and interventions addressing violence against women (VAW) in vulnerable women (disabled, pregnant, ethnic minority, immigrant and older women) in key documents and laws enacted in different countries. METHODS: Content analysis of key documents for the development of VAW policies and laws: The United Nations Handbook for Legislation on Violence Against Women Advance Version, the Model of Laws and Policies on Intrafamiliar Violence Against Women of the Pan-American Health Organization and Recommendation No. R(2002)5 of the Committee of Ministers of the European Council. The content of the 62 VAW laws was also analyzed. RESULTS: Key documents demonstrate the importance of eliminating any obstacle facing disabled, pregnant, immigrant, ethnic minority or older women when accessing VAW services. Only 12 laws mention one or more of these groups of vulnerable women. Pregnant, disabled and ethnic minority women are the groups most often mentioned. In these laws, references to punitive measures, action plans and specific strategies to guarantee access to VAW resources are the most common interventions. CONCLUSION: Decisive interventions addressing the specific needs of disabled, pregnant, immigrant, ethnic minority and older women are needed in order to achieve a broader equity approach in VAW legislation