Implications of migration on health and education: returned migrants and school teachers perspective in India: A qualitative study

Background: Poor tribal communities migrate from rural to urban areas to tackle their financial hardships. However, limited empirical literature collectively delves into the implications of health and educational attainments of household members of migrant households, while examining the intricate d...

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Main Authors: Bernard Attah-Otu, Nikita Jaiswal, Priya Gupta, Angan Sengupta
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-01-01
Series:Journal of Migration and Health
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666623524000783
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author Bernard Attah-Otu
Nikita Jaiswal
Priya Gupta
Angan Sengupta
author_facet Bernard Attah-Otu
Nikita Jaiswal
Priya Gupta
Angan Sengupta
author_sort Bernard Attah-Otu
collection DOAJ
description Background: Poor tribal communities migrate from rural to urban areas to tackle their financial hardships. However, limited empirical literature collectively delves into the implications of health and educational attainments of household members of migrant households, while examining the intricate dynamics of labour migration among tribal Indian communities in India. Objective: This study aims to examine the effects of labour migration on household health and education for accompanied and left-behind children. Methods: Twenty-two semi-structured interviews and two focus group discussions (6–8 participants) were conducted in four tribal communities in India from August to November 2022 comprising 14 migrant households that recently returned from migration, three left behind adolescents of school age, three primary school head teachers and two Panchayat heads (community head). Data were analysed through an inductive thematic approach. Results: Participants identified a lack of adequate housing and sanitation conditions, with intense and long labour hours as conditions at migration destinations that affect their health. Lack of maternal and child healthcare is staggering at the place of work. In particular, our findings revealed that temporary labour migrants do not enrol their children in schools; however, the case was different from permanent and long-term migrants who enrol their children in private schools. At their place of origin, school teachers reported frequent school dropouts, low enrolment, attendance and poor academic achievements among children of migrating households. There is prominent gender dynamics in academic performances, and its determinants. Early age marriage and joining labour force dropping-out of school is common. Conclusion: The results highlight the negative effects of migration as a livelihood strategy on rural communities, particularly in the health and education of household members, asking for immediate government interventions.
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spelling doaj-art-d8c5a4eb0a4f4242bd40ba926053e7a72025-08-20T02:09:05ZengElsevierJournal of Migration and Health2666-62352025-01-011110028910.1016/j.jmh.2024.100289Implications of migration on health and education: returned migrants and school teachers perspective in India: A qualitative studyBernard Attah-Otu0Nikita Jaiswal1Priya Gupta2Angan Sengupta3Amrita School for Sustainable Futures, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri Campus, Kollam, India; Corresponding author.University of New Mexico School of Medicine, USAAmrita School of Business, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Bangaluru, IndiaAmrita School of Business, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Bangaluru, Karnataka, IndiaBackground: Poor tribal communities migrate from rural to urban areas to tackle their financial hardships. However, limited empirical literature collectively delves into the implications of health and educational attainments of household members of migrant households, while examining the intricate dynamics of labour migration among tribal Indian communities in India. Objective: This study aims to examine the effects of labour migration on household health and education for accompanied and left-behind children. Methods: Twenty-two semi-structured interviews and two focus group discussions (6–8 participants) were conducted in four tribal communities in India from August to November 2022 comprising 14 migrant households that recently returned from migration, three left behind adolescents of school age, three primary school head teachers and two Panchayat heads (community head). Data were analysed through an inductive thematic approach. Results: Participants identified a lack of adequate housing and sanitation conditions, with intense and long labour hours as conditions at migration destinations that affect their health. Lack of maternal and child healthcare is staggering at the place of work. In particular, our findings revealed that temporary labour migrants do not enrol their children in schools; however, the case was different from permanent and long-term migrants who enrol their children in private schools. At their place of origin, school teachers reported frequent school dropouts, low enrolment, attendance and poor academic achievements among children of migrating households. There is prominent gender dynamics in academic performances, and its determinants. Early age marriage and joining labour force dropping-out of school is common. Conclusion: The results highlight the negative effects of migration as a livelihood strategy on rural communities, particularly in the health and education of household members, asking for immediate government interventions.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666623524000783MigrationLabour migrationHealthEducationLeft-behindAccompanied children
spellingShingle Bernard Attah-Otu
Nikita Jaiswal
Priya Gupta
Angan Sengupta
Implications of migration on health and education: returned migrants and school teachers perspective in India: A qualitative study
Journal of Migration and Health
Migration
Labour migration
Health
Education
Left-behind
Accompanied children
title Implications of migration on health and education: returned migrants and school teachers perspective in India: A qualitative study
title_full Implications of migration on health and education: returned migrants and school teachers perspective in India: A qualitative study
title_fullStr Implications of migration on health and education: returned migrants and school teachers perspective in India: A qualitative study
title_full_unstemmed Implications of migration on health and education: returned migrants and school teachers perspective in India: A qualitative study
title_short Implications of migration on health and education: returned migrants and school teachers perspective in India: A qualitative study
title_sort implications of migration on health and education returned migrants and school teachers perspective in india a qualitative study
topic Migration
Labour migration
Health
Education
Left-behind
Accompanied children
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666623524000783
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