Experiences of access to maternal and child healthcare for undocumented migrants in Switzerland
PhD Project | 01.02.2024 - 31.01.2026
What is this study about?
The aim of this study is to explore and analyse the experiences of access to healthcare during pregnancy or the first 2 years of life of the child (first 1000 days) by mothers lacking legal status in Switzerland.
The aim is to observe the experiences of access to care during pregnancy and the following two years which are the most important period for building up long-lasting health. We are particularly interested in studying how irregular migrant women navigate the healthcare system, access resources or find solutions to meet their healthcare needs.
This multicentric study is organized by the University of Basel and co-funded by the Geneva Health School, University of Applied Sciences (HEdS).
Data collection and publications
Starting from September 1st 2024, the participant recruitment phase has ended. We are now completing the data analysis phase and will start soon the writing phase. All updates concerning related publications will be published here. Thank you for your interest!
For further information, please contact us: health_1000d@unibas.ch
Publications
Montagnoli, C. et al. (2026) ‘Building paths to healthcare: an explorative qualitative study among undocumented mothers experiencing maternal and infant healthcare access in Switzerland’, BMJ Public Health, 4(3), p. e002791. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjph-2025-002791.
Montagnoli, Caterina
and Bolt, Hannah
and Wangmo, Tenzin
and Elger, Bernice et al. (2026) ‘“My pregnancy was very difficult because I was alone all the time and undocumented”: Reproductive loneliness among undocumented mothers in western and central Switzerland’, European Journal of Midwifery [Preprint].
Montagnoli, C. et al. (2025) ‘Facilitators and barriers of maternal and infant healthcare access for undocumented migrants in the first 1000 days of life: a systematic review of the literature’, Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters, 33(1), pp. 1–30. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/26410397.2025.2560189.
Montagnoli, Caterina and Wanner, Philippe (2023) ‘Are pregnancy outcomes affected by the lack of legal status? A demographic study based on 850,288 live births in Switzerland’, BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 23(1). Available at: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-023-05870-5.
Members (3)
Bernice Simone Elger
Tenzin Wangmo
