Honors Theses

Date of Award

Spring 5-7-2022

Document Type

Undergraduate Thesis

Department

Croft Institute for International Studies

First Advisor

Kate Centellas

Second Advisor

Mikaela Morgane Adams

Third Advisor

Oliver Dinius

Relational Format

Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract

This thesis investigates the 2018 measles outbreaks that occurred in Colombia and Brazil as a result of importation from Venezuela, seeking to uncover underlying factors contributing to significantly greater case numbers in Brazil than in Colombia. It analyzes vaccination coverage, migrant integration, and migration policy, using a mixed-methods approach to compare the two countries. Qualitative analysis of the border zones, migration policies, health systems, and progression of the outbreaks in each country reveals that geographical and socioeconomic differences at the borders, heterogeneity of vaccination coverage, timeliness of policy responses, and disease tracing capabilities could all be possible contributors to greater disease burden in Brazil. Quantitative analysis using public opinion surveys finds differences in attitudes towards Venezuelan migrants and access to health services that may have contributed to the experiences of the Venezuelan population of each country and led to greater disease spread in Brazil. As a whole, this thesis aims to demonstrate the multi-faceted nature of cross-border disease transmission and the varied methods that may be used to combat disease spread resulting from migration crises.

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