Structural Violence, Tuberculosis and Healthcare Processes: Bolivian Immigrants in Buenos Aires and São Paulo

Abstract

This chapter presents some results of a comparative ethnographicstudy conducted during 2015 16 in Buenos Aires (Argentina) andSão Paulo (Brazil). The research proposed a regional comparativeperspective focusing on adult Bolivian immigrants of both sexes whowork and/or reside, often with their families, in clothes sweatshopsin the centre of São Paulo and in south-west Buenos Aires. Ourinvestigation also studied the public health centres that were locatedclose to the sweatshops in each city.This multi-sited ethnography took place in the work home environment, in the health services, and among immigrant organizations and groups. The fi eldwork combined participant observation, in-depth interviews and the analysis of narratives. The methodology applied to our research made it possible to fi nd out and describe certain health issues related to specifi c risk situations found in the lives, work and accommodation of these immigrants during their integration process after arrival at their destination, and detect why and in what context these situations arise. The analysis focuses on the sphere of public health in both cities. We explored ways in which these immigrantsexperience their illness and how they describe, interpret and explain it, and act in relation to it, tracking the analysis in their therapeuticitineraries.