Health conditions of migrant men during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-cultural reflection in the light of Leininger’s Theory

The COVID-19 pandemic accentuated social, economic, and health inequalities, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations. This study aimed to analyze the health conditions of immigrant, refugee, and asylum-seeking men during the COVID-19 pandemic, in the light of the Theory of Culture Care Diversity and Universality (TCCDU). This is a narrative literature review of a theoretical-reflective nature, based on the TCCDU, proposed by Madeleine Leininger. Twelve problematic issues related to the health conditions of migrant men were identified, highlighting social precarization, institutional racism, vaccine hesitancy, and the deficit in psychosocial care. The pandemic intensified structural inequalities and negatively impacted physical, mental, and social health. The analysis based on the TCCDU allowed the interpretation of these problematic issues according to the modalities of cultural care preservation or maintenance, cultural care accommodation or negotiation, and cultural care repatterning or restructuring. The pandemic highlighted the urgency for culturally sensitive policies and culturally competent nursing actions. Culturally congruent care constitutes a relevant strategy for reducing access barriers and promoting equity and social justice in the healthcare of migrant men.