The effects of food insecurity and limited healthcare access on the health and well-being of cross-border migrants in Musina Town, South Africa: an exploratory study

Sep 30, 2026

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Cross-border migrants in South Africa—often facing unstable jobs, low incomes, and limited access to social protections—experience food insecurity and health challenges. A mixed-methods study triangulated data from 628 survey interviews and 64 in-depth interviews with migrants, using purposive sampling for key informants and random sampling for in-depth and follow-up interviews. Findings show constrained living conditions, restricted healthcare access, mistreatment by providers, and insufficient social support, contributing to depression, stress, and anxiety. Robust government policies are recommended to secure healthcare, food rations, and social protection.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Methodology

Data collection and analysis

Key findings

Recommendations

vi80 European Journal of Public Health, Vol. 35, Supplement 6, 2025 Methodology: The study employed a mixed-methods approach that included qualitative and quantitative data collection. It involved triangulating information from 628 survey interviews and 64 indepth interviews with migrants. The study used a purposive sampling method for key informant interviews, while random sampling was employed for the migrants’ in-depth interviews and the qualitative follow-up interviews. The survey data was collected using REDCap and analysed using SPSS, while the qualitative data was analysed thematically using Atlas.Ti. Key Findings: The preliminary findings reveal the challenging living conditions, unstable employment, food insecurities, and restricted access to healthcare services that migrants face, which negatively affect their health and well-being. Moreover, the results indicate that cross-border migrants in Musina town receive limited social support and often experience mistreatment and harassment from healthcare providers. Although Section 27 of the South African Constitution emphasises that everyone has the right to healthcare, food, water, and social assistance, many cross-border migrants do not benefit from these rights. All these factors contribute to migrants’ experiences of depression, stress, and anxiety as they navigate their daily lives to cope with their challenging experiences in the host country. Recommendation: The South African government must implement robust policies that ensure social protection and access to essential services, including healthcare and food rations, to address the health and well-being challenges faced by cross-border migrants. Abstract citation ID: ckaf180.219 576 The effects of food insecurity and limited healthcare access on the health and well-being of cross-border migrants in Musina Town, South Africa: an exploratory study Stanley Muravha1 1University Of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa OP 36: Challenges and Opportunities for Health 2, B207 (FCSH), September 5, 2025, 10:15-11:15 Background: Cross-border migrants in South Africa, mainly from Africa, face food insecurity and health issues due to unstable jobs, low incomes, and limited access to social protections. Barriers to benefits like grants, food, and healthcare worsen their health and increase vulnerability.

FAQs

How did the study collect and analyze data?

It used a mixed-methods design, combining qualitative and quantitative collection. Survey data from 628 interviews was collected with REDCap and analyzed using SPSS, while qualitative data was analyzed thematically using Atlas.Ti.

What main health impacts were reported for cross-border migrants?

The results linked food insecurity and limited healthcare access to poorer health and well-being, including depression, stress, and anxiety.

What barriers to healthcare and benefits did the study highlight?

Many migrants faced restricted access to healthcare services, mistreatment and harassment from healthcare providers, and barriers to benefits such as grants, food, and social assistance.

What policy action does the study recommend?

The South African government should implement robust policies that ensure social protection and access to essential services, including healthcare and food rations, for cross-border migrants.

Sep 30, 2026

Upload by Sarah