The Right to Sexual and Reproductive Health among Migrant Workers in Taiwan: Stakeholder Perspectives through an AAAQ Analysis
- 1Harvard University
Abstract
BackgroundGlobal labor migration from LMIC to higher-income destinations has expanded rapidly, placing increasing pressure on destination-country health. Existing research on cross-border migrant workers has focused largely on occupational health, general healthcare utilization, and disease-specific risks, while there is considerably less evidence on their sexual and reproductive health. This study contributes to this understudied field by examining the policy and health-system factors that shape the sexual and reproductive health services for migrant workers in Taiwan.
MethodsA qualitative study was conducted in Taiwan between November 2025 and August 2026. 22 stakeholders were purposively recruited from academia, healthcare, nongovernmental organizations, government, labor brokerage, and employers. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and small focus groups. Interviews were conducted in Mandarin Chinese, transcribed verbatim, and translated into English. Data were analyzed using framework analysis combining deductive coding based on the AAAQ framework with inductive coding of implementation and contextual themes.
ResultsGaps were identified across all four AAAQ dimensions. Participants described limited migrant- responsive SRH programming; physical, financial, administrative, social, and information barriers; shortcomings in linguistic and cultural responsiveness; and weaknesses in interpretation, coordination, and continuity of care, despite generally favorable views of Taiwans clinical quality.
ConclusionsOur findings show that broad insurance coverage and strong clinical capacity do not by themselves ensure the realization of migrant workers SRHR. In Taiwan, rights were mediated through labor brokerage, gendered live-in work arrangements, and fragmented governance across health, labor, immigration, and social-welfare systems. Improving migrant SRHR therefore requires stronger implementation of existing protections, reduced dependence on informal intermediaries, and more integrated institutional responsibility for cross-sector migrant health needs.
Related
- Stakeholder perspectives on adolescent sexual and reproductive health service utilization in Uganda’s Busoga region: A qualitative study
- Differences in physical and mental health outcomes by occupational type among chinese migrant workers in guinea: a cross-sectional survey
- Knowledge, attitudes and care-seeking behaviours related to chronic disease management among migrant workers in Singapore: a cross-sectional study
- Exploring multidimensional perceptions of cervical cancer severity and self-efficacy in prevention through the perspectives of patients and healthcare workers
- Barriers to fruit and vegetable consumption among migrant workers in Bangkok: a mixed-methods study.
BibTeX
@misc{tang2026right,
title = {{The Right to Sexual and Reproductive Health among Migrant Workers in Taiwan: Stakeholder Perspectives through an AAAQ Analysis}},
author = {P. Tang and M. W.-H. Lu and K.-T. Yeung and B. J. Guo and K.-F. N. Wei},
howpublished = {medRxiv},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.64898/2026.08.26.26361458},
url = {https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.08.26.26361458v1},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - The Right to Sexual and Reproductive Health among Migrant Workers in Taiwan: Stakeholder Perspectives through an AAAQ Analysis
AU - P. Tang
AU - M. W.-H. Lu
AU - K.-T. Yeung
AU - B. J. Guo
AU - K.-F. N. Wei
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/26
PB - medRxiv
DO - 10.64898/2026.08.26.26361458
UR - https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.08.26.26361458v1
AB - BackgroundGlobal labor migration from LMIC to higher-income destinations has expanded rapidly, placing increasing pressure on destination-country health. Existing research on cross-border migrant workers has focused largely on occupational health, general healthcare utilization, and disease-specific risks, while there is considerably less evidence on their sexual and reproductive health. This study contributes to this understudied field by examining the policy and health-system factors that shape the sexual and reproductive health services for migrant workers in Taiwan. MethodsA qualitative study was conducted in Taiwan between November 2025 and August 2026. 22 stakeholders were purposively recruited from academia, healthcare, nongovernmental organizations, government, labor brokerage, and employers. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and small focus groups. Interviews were conducted in Mandarin Chinese, transcribed verbatim, and translated into English. Data were analyzed using framework analysis combining deductive coding based on the AAAQ framework with inductive coding of implementation and contextual themes. ResultsGaps were identified across all four AAAQ dimensions. Participants described limited migrant- responsive SRH programming; physical, financial, administrative, social, and information barriers; shortcomings in linguistic and cultural responsiveness; and weaknesses in interpretation, coordination, and continuity of care, despite generally favorable views of Taiwans clinical quality. ConclusionsOur findings show that broad insurance coverage and strong clinical capacity do not by themselves ensure the realization of migrant workers SRHR. In Taiwan, rights were mediated through labor brokerage, gendered live-in work arrangements, and fragmented governance across health, labor, immigration, and social-welfare systems. Improving migrant SRHR therefore requires stronger implementation of existing protections, reduced dependence on informal intermediaries, and more integrated institutional responsibility for cross-sector migrant health needs.
ER -