Formal and informal social support and social ties among recent male and female migrants from Puebla, Mexico

Background: An understanding of how the process of migration influences the formation of formal and informal network ties that influence health care seeking and health related behaviors is critical to understanding how these factors influence overall health among newly arrived migrants. Methods: Using semi-structured, in-depth surveys, we conducted 40 interviews with an equal number of recent (≤5 years in the US) male and female migrants from Puebla, Mexico currently residing in New York City. Participants were recruited from community based organizations and community venues and asked to provide information about the context of their social relationships and types of formal support outlets they accessed, both in the US and in Puebla prior to migration. A qualitative analysis was conducted to understand formal and informal support networks and ties among male and female Poblanos. Results: These results highlight the importance of transnational ties for both women and men who have recently migrated to NYC. In addition, women were more likely to foster cross-cultural social ties and networks and use these ties to obtain health care information and linkages to formal community health-related resources. Whereas, men maintained initial social ties used to facilitate the process of migration and were less likely to use these ties to access health-related services. Conclusion: Awareness of the differential contribution of existing transnational ties and new social ties and the use of these support networks among newly migrated women as compared to men is critical to ensuring that both groups are connected to health-related services.