Objective

To describe the lifestyles and health status of returning Venezuelan and Colombian migrants in Villa Caracas, Barranquilla, in 2018.

Methods

Descriptive, cross-sectional study with systematic sampling of dwellings. 229 people over 15 years of age from 90 homes were included.

Results

Differences were found in the routes to arrive, commuting times and stay in the settlement between Venezuelan and returning Colombian migrants. Housing conditions and access to public services are limited: less than half of the dwellings have access to aqueduct, sewerage and bathrooms. In general, self-reported health status of migrants is very good or good and the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases was relatively low, with the exception of high blood pressure. Most of the people who consulted the emergency department reported effective access. Clinically significant depressive symptoms were found in 20% of the surveyed population.

Conclusions

The migrants of Villa Caracas are under high social vulnerability conditions given their economic and environmental conditions. Despite their lack of enrollment in the Colombian health system, they reported access to emergency care.