Breaking barriers to access to sexual and reproductive health for migrant women in Castel Volturno, Italy: Combining a public health with an anthropological perspective

Castel Volturno, a municipality in the province of Caserta, north of Naples, epitomizes Italy’s broader challenges with migration, socio-economic instability, and fragmented public services. Once a seaside resort, irregular urbanization and waves of migration since the 1980s have transformed the area into a hub for displaced populations, particularly migrants from sub-Saharan Africa. While this demographic shift has created informal housing and employment opportunities, it has also highlighted systemic healthcare gaps and socio-economic vulnerabilities. This study investigates how migrant women in Castel Volturno, Campania, Italy, experience and navigate access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care. The study has two primary objectives: (1) to identify and contextualize barriers and facilitators shaping migrant women's access to SRH services, and (2) to explore the resilient and adaptive practices migrant women employ to overcome these challenges. Adopting public health and anthropological perspectives, the study uses semi-structured interviews and participant observation with migrant women, healthcare providers, and policymakers. This approach examines systemic barriers and cultural practices, combining structural analysis with an exploration of migrant women’s lived experiences and informal networks. The research uncovers significant obstacles to SRH care, including bureaucratic complexities, linguistic and communication barriers, and logistical challenges in accessing healthcare facilities. At the same time, it highlights migrant women’s collective behaviors, informal organizational systems, and perceptions of SRH care, including the integration of traditional medical practices. These findings reveal the agency and adaptive strategies employed by migrant women to navigate the healthcare system. The study also emphasizes the critical role of non-governmental organizations in facilitating access to care and providing cultural mediation. The conclusions call for systemic reforms, such as integrating cultural mediators within public healthcare services and decentralizing SRH care facilities, to address geographical and logistical barriers. Additionally, the research underscores the importance of recognizing and supporting the informal networks that migrant communities rely on, as these grassroots strategies can bridge gaps in formal healthcare provision and promote more inclusive and responsive care systems.