Passage 5
Migrants detained and held in immigration and other detention settings in the U.S.
have faced increased risk of COVID-19 infection…this study sought to estimate
rates of COVID-19 testing, infection, care seeking, and vaccination among Mexican
migrants detained by U.S. immigration authorities and forcibly returned to Mexico.
We conducted a cross-sectional probability survey of Mexican migrants deported
from the U.S. to three Mexican border cities: Tijuana, Ciudad Juárez, and Matamoros (N
= 306)...survey measures included self-reported history of COVID-19 testing, infection,
care seeking, vaccination, intentions to vaccinate, and other prevention and risk factors.
Weighted data were used to estimate population-level prevalence rates. Bivariate tests
and adjusted logistic regression models were estimated to identify associations between
these COVID-19 outcomes and demographic, migration, and contextual factors.
Age, English fluency, and length of detention were positively associated with testing
and vaccination history, whereas detention in an immigration center and length of
time living in the U.S. were negatively related to testing, infection, and vaccination
history. Survey city and survey quarter also showed adjusted associations with
testing, infection, and vaccination history, reflecting potential variations in access to
services across geographic regions and over time as the pandemic unfolded.
This study provides insights into the extent of COVID-19 testing, infection, care, and
vaccination among Mexican migrants deported from the U.S., an underserved and
understudied migrant population. The results show that at least a third had a history
of diagnosed or suspected infection, and over 44% were held in crowded conditions.
The study also demonstrates insufficient access to testing and care for COVID-19,
but higher-than-expected levels of vaccination and willingness to get vaccinated
among those not yet immunized. As we prepare for future waves of the pandemic
and potentially more transmissible and/or deadly variants, decarceration and other
measures aimed at reducing COVID-19 risk and increasing access to preventive
services and treatment among detained migrants must be planned and implemented.
Figure 1: COVID-19 testing, infection, and vaccination among deported Mexican
migrants: Results from a survey on the Mexico-U.S. border. Adapted from MartínezDonate et al. (2022).
When studying vulnerable populations, such as migrants who have been deported,
it is crucial to minimize the impact of bias upon study results. Which of the
following types of studies would be most likely to reduce research-related biases?
A) Case-control study
B) Survey-based study
C) Observational study
D) Environmental study
Correct answer is A
There are various forms a research study can take, with some being more objective
and some being more subjective by design. As the subjectivity of a study design
increases, so too does the potential influence of bias upon the results of the study.
Of all the options presented, a case-control study is the most objective, and thus
the study design that is most likely to reduce biases. Researchers leading a case
control study select certain cases, or subjects who have experienced a particular
outcome (e.g. cancer or lung disease), and then match these “cases” with “controls,”
who are similar in terms of demographic factors (e.g. age). The researchers then will
examine the differences between the cases and controls and try to determine what
led to the outcome of interest. By including a control group in this type of study,
and by matching cases and controls in terms of demographic factors, at least some
biases are eliminated. For this reason, Answer A is correct.
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