579 The myth of a better life: unpacking the precarities of migration and their impact on health and wellbeing in a South African border region

Abstract EP3.3, e-Poster Terminal 3, September 4, 2025, 10:05 - 10:25 Background The Musina Municipality sits on the South African side of the border with Zimbabwe, and presents a complex relationship between migration, precarity, and health. Internal migrants from elsewhere in South Africa, international migrants’ refugees, asylum seekers, and undocumented migrants often move seeking better socio-economic opportunities, which are closely tied to their overall health and wellbeing. Yet challenging living and working conditions negatively affect their physical, mental, and social health, widening the gap between expectations and reality. Migrants face a dilemma: whether to pursue improved health and wellbeing in the host country or return home due to worsening conditions and limited access to essential services. Methods The study employed a multi-methods approach, triangulating data from 628 administered surveys and 64 in-depth interviews (IDIs) with migrants in Musina (2024 – 2025). The study adopted a combination of convenience and purposive sampling for the IDIs and multi-stage random sampling for the survey. The survey data was collected using REDcap and analysed using R whilst qualitative data was analysed thematically using Atlas-Ti. Findings Our paper highlights precarious livelihood activities –encompassing both formal and informal income-generating strategies - and how they are associated with health hazards and lack of social security that undermines the health and well-being of migrants in Musina. Despite facing adversity, migrants don’t see themselves as ‘vulnerable victims’ but actively adapt through resilience and determination to generate income. Their ability to “poach on adversity” and craft alternative livelihood strategies reflects not only economic resourcefulness but also strong sense of agency that contributes positively to their overall health and well-being. Conclusion The study contributes to our understanding of the complex interplay between migration, precarity, and migrant wellbeing in a border area, underscoring the needs for targeted interventions to address the challenges faced by migrant populations. Keywords myths, expectations, health, wellbeing, livelihoods, precarities