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. 2023 Nov 17;57(spe):e20220382.
doi: 10.1590/1980-220X-REEUSP-2022-0382en. eCollection 2023.

Representations of COVID-19: the pandemic in the context of international commuting migration from mining

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Lise Maria Carvalho Mendes  1 , Antonio Sabino da Silva Neto  2 , Nayara Gonçalves Barbosa  3 , Larissa de Freitas Cardoso  1 , Rosemary Ferreira de Andrade  4 , Flávia Azevedo Gomes-Sponholz  1
Affiliations

Representations of COVID-19: the pandemic in the context of international commuting migration from mining

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Lise Maria Carvalho Mendes et al. Rev Esc Enferm USP. .

Abstract
in English, Portuguese, Spanish

Objective: To analyze the conceptions about COVID-19 among Brazilians who carry out commuting to work in clandestine mines located on the borders between Brazil, French Guiana and Suriname.

Method: This is qualitative research, from an analytical perspective, based on Social Representation Theory. Semi-structured, audio-recorded interviews were carried out with 10 Brazilians who experience work routine in clandestine mining on the border between Brazil, French Guiana and Suriname.

Results: Two analytical categories emerged: "The disease of otherness"; and "Health access dimension".

Conclusion: Disease severity was attributed to another or a human body organ, and not to individuals as a whole. Access to health services was established on issues of inequity, violence and illegal practices. The nature of a transient population, which carries out commuting and informal and clandestine work, demonstrates vulnerability to COVID-19 and a lower propensity to receive care.

Objetivo:: Analisar as concepções acerca da covid-19 entre brasileiros que realizam migração pendular para trabalhar em garimpos clandestinos situados nas fronteiras entre Brasil, Guiana Francesa e Suriname.

Método:: Pesquisa qualitativa, em uma perspectiva analítica, alicerçada na Teoria das Representações Sociais. Foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas, áudiogravadas com 10 brasileiros que vivenciam a rotina de trabalho em garimpos clandestinos na fronteira entre Brasil, Guiana Francesa e Suriname.

Resultados:: Foram designadas duas categorias analíticas: “A doença da alteridade”; e “Dimensão do acesso à saúde”.

Conclusão:: A gravidade da doença foi atribuída ao outro ou a um órgão do corpo humano, e não ao indivíduo como um todo. O acesso aos serviços de saúde instituiu-se em questões de iniquidade, violência e práticas ilegais. O caráter de população transitória, que realiza migração pendular e de trabalho informal e clandestino, demonstra vulnerabilidade à covid-19 e menor propensão a receber cuidados.

Objetivo:: Analizar las concepciones sobre el COVID-19 entre los brasileños que realizan desplazamientos para trabajar en minas clandestinas ubicadas en las fronteras entre Brasil, Guayana Francesa y Surinam.

Método:: Investigación cualitativa, desde una perspectiva analítica, basada en la Teoría de las Representaciones Sociales. Se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas y grabadas en audio a 10 brasileños que viven la rutina de trabajo en minas clandestinas en la frontera entre Brasil, Guayana Francesa y Surinam.

Resultados:: Se designaron dos categorías analíticas: “La enfermedad de la alteridad”; y “Dimensiones del acceso a la salud”.

Conclusión:: La gravedad de la enfermedad se atribuyó a otro o a un órgano del cuerpo humano, y no al individuo en su conjunto. El acceso a los servicios de salud se estableció sobre temas de inequidad, violencia y prácticas ilegales. La naturaleza de la población transitoria, que realiza desplazamientos y trabajos informales y clandestinos, demuestra vulnerabilidad al COVID-19 y una menor propensión a recibir atención.

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