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BackgroundResearch ethics guidelines set a high bar for conducting research with vulnerable populations, often resulting in their exclusion from beneficial research. Our study aims to better characterise participants' vulnerabilities, agency, resourcefulness and sources of support.MethodsWe undertook qualitative research around two clinical studies involving migrant women living along the Thai-Myanmar border. We conducted 32 in-depth interviews and 10 focus group discussions with research participants, families, researchers and key informants.ResultsWe found that being 'undocumented' is at the core of many structural vulnerabilities, reflecting political, economic, social and health needs. Although migrant women lead challenging lives, they have a support network that includes family, employers, community leaders, non-governmental organisations and research networks. Migrant women choose to participate in research to access quality healthcare, gain knowledge and obtain extra money. However, research has the potential to exacerbate existing vulnerabilities, such as the burdens of cross-border travel, foregoing work and being more visible as migrants.ConclusionsOur study confirms that research is important to provide evidence-based care and was viewed by participants as offering many benefits, but it also has hidden burdens. Migrant women exercised agency and resourcefulness when navigating challenges in their lives and research participation.

Original publication

DOI

10.1093/inthealth/ihaa052

Type

Journal article

Journal

International health

Publication Date

11/2020

Volume

12

Pages

551 - 559

Addresses

Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Mae Sot, Thailand.

Keywords

Humans, Focus Groups, Qualitative Research, Ethics, Research, Transients and Migrants, Myanmar, Thailand, Female