Exploratory cross-sectional study of migration, BMI and blood pressure in rural and urban Peruvian indigenous women

Internal migration and urbanisation are important determinants of health in Latin America, particularly among Indigenous populations. To evaluate associations of migration and health, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 185 Indigenous women in a rural Andean community (n = 92) and a low-income urban Lima community (n = 93). Migration status was defined by birthplace versus self-reported current residence. Anthropometry, blood pressure (BP), sociodemographic and migration-related data were collected. Regression models tested associations of migration with body mass index (BMI) and systolic/diastolic BP, adjusting for confounders. Exploratory interaction models assessed modification by community. Additional analyses examined migration timing, distance, duration and frequency. Migration was associated with a 4%–5% increase in systolic and 6% increase in diastolic BP; BMI was not significant. Community modified these effects: migrant and non-migrant urban women had significantly higher systolic BP compared to rural non-migrants, and urban migrant women had significantly higher diastolic BP compared to rural non-migrants. Migration timing, duration and distance were not linked to BP or BMI. Multiple migrations predicted higher diastolic BP. In conclusion, migration was associated with increased BP, with effects differing by rural versus urban setting. Findings underscore the need to study how mobility and community context influence Indigenous women's health.