Returned but Not Restored: Experiences of Health and Access to Care Among Return Migrants in Sub-Saharan Africa A Scoping Review

Abstract

Return migrants in Sub-Saharan Africa constitute a diverse population ranging from highly skilled individuals returning voluntarily to vulnerable individuals returning under forced or adverse conditions whose circumstances of return often expose them to severe hardships and health risks. Despite the increasing prevalence of return migration in the region, comprehensive evidence regarding these returnees' health status, mental well-being, and healthcare access remains markedly sparse. This scoping review synthesizes existing literature to assess the health profiles and healthcare-seeking experiences of return migrants in Sub-Saharan Africa. The findings reveal a critical shortage of empirical research, underscoring urgent gaps in data regarding how health vulnerabilities unfold post-return. Addressing these gaps requires expanded empirical inquiry to guide targeted health policies and facilitate effective healthcare re-integration for returnee populations across the region.