Impact of Emigration on Health in Low Income Urban Zimbabwe
Abstract Background: Emigration is a potential determinant of health at the place of origin. This study aimed to explore the impact of emigration on health by comparing access to health and healthcare among emigration exposed and non-exposed households in urban Zimbabwe.Methods: The study design was a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods. A cross sectional survey was employed to collect concurrent and retrospective data from households in Hatcliff District in Harare, Zimbabwe. An Interviewer Administered Questionnaire (IAQ) was used for data collection. Standard questionnaires used in previous studies by IOM and WHO were used as reference points in the development of the study questionnaire.Results: The study respondents were de facto household heads. 268 (96%) household heads were successfully interviewed out of the computed target of 279. The study findings showed that emigration had a positive impact on household income (Pearson Chi-Square test of association [χ2 (4) = 12.3 (P < 0.05)]). Emigration was also associated with better access to health facilities ([χ2 (2) = 1.751 (P<0.05)]) and healthier nutrition. Emigration exposed household members were also more likely to maintain healthy lifestyle. Only 28% of households exposed to emigration reported a negative shift of healthy lifestyle compared to 72% of households not exposed to emigration.Conclusions: The study exposed emigration to be a significant determinant of health in urban places of origin. This effect seemed to be highly positive. Contrary to commonly reported negative consequences of emigration on health at the place of origin, mostly through brain drain, we conclude that there are significant positive effects for consideration when developing and implementing migration policies and programmes.