A QUALITATIVE STUDY ON ACCESS BARRIERS TO MENTAL HEALTHCARE SERVICES BY SYRIAN REFUGEE WOMEN IN WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA

Introduction: Refugees have higher risk of developing mental illness like anxiety, depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder as they flee from violence. Women refugees may have unique mental healthcare needs due to their vulnerability to gender-based violence and abuse during flight from war. The research question of this study was what the health system can do better to address the mental healthcare needs of refugee women in Winnipeg. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 9 Syrian refugee women and 6 service providers/decision makers. The interviews were analyzed using qualitative inductive analysis and coded for themes based on recurring issues. Results: Limited understanding of mental health and illness among refugees, stigma, and the need for culturally competent care were noted by the service providers. System navigation, language, unemployment and safety of family members left behind in Syria were the main concerns of the refugee women. While there are many programs available for refugee women in Winnipeg, lack of collaboration and coordination among providers was identified. Conclusions: This study recommends that service providers use resources developed by UNHCR and Canadian physicians in providing culturally competent care, decision makers take leadership roles in implementing better collaboration among agencies, employers be open in hiring refugees and everyone in the society ensures that the refugee women feel welcomed and included.

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How to adapt sexual and reproductive health services to the needs and circumstances of trans people— a qualitative study in Colombia

International Journal for Equity in Health ◽

10.1186/s12939-020-01250-z ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mariana Calderón-Jaramillo ◽

Ángel Mendoza ◽

Natalia Acevedo ◽

Luz Janeth Forero-Martínez ◽

Sandra Marcela Sánchez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Health ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Health Services ◽

Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽

Healthcare Services ◽

Health Needs ◽

Access Barriers ◽

Care Providers ◽

Reproductive Health Services ◽

Trans People

Abstract Background People living a trans-life require access to equitable healthcare services, policies and research that address their needs. However, trans people have experienced different forms of violence, discrimination, stigma, and unfair access barriers when dealing with healthcare providers. Therefore, adapting sexual and reproductive health services with the purpose of providing more equitable, inclusive and discrimination-free healthcare services is an urgent need. The article presents an example of how operative research can be used in order to adjust sexual and reproductive healthcare services to trans people’s needs, identities and circumstances. Methods This is a qualitative study written from a constructivist perspective, and it is based on the voices and experiences of trans people in four major cities in Colombia. The research used a combination of focus groups of discussion (n = 6) and in-depth interviews with trans people (n = 13) in Barranquilla, Bogota, Cali and Medellin. This research had two specific objectives: i) identifying the main sexual and reproductive health needs of people living a trans-life; and ii) generating new evidence in order to guide the adaptation of sexual and reproductive health services centered to trans people’s needs, identities, and circumstances. Qualitative data codification and analysis was using NVivo. Results Once access barriers to sexual and reproductive health services, unmet sexual and reproductive health needs were identified, the research helped define strategies to adapt sexual and reproductive health services to the needs, identities, and circumstances of people living a trans-life in Colombia. Amongst the main barriers found were healthcare costs, lack of insurance, stigmatization, discrimination and abuse by health care providers. Perhaps among the most notable sexual and reproductive health needs presented were trans-specific services such as sensitive assistance for the transition process, endocrinology appointments, and sex reaffirmation surgeries. Conclusions The evidence obtained from this research allowed Profamilia, a Colombian healthcare provider, to adapt the sexual and reproductive health services it provides to people living a trans-life in Colombia. Furthermore, it was possible for Profamilia to design and implement an inclusive sexual and reproductive health program that specifically addresses trans people’s needs, identities, and circumstances.

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‘It’s a bit taboo’: a qualitative study of Norwegian adolescents’ perceptions of mental healthcare services

Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties ◽

10.1080/13632752.2016.1248692 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 22 (2) ◽

pp. 111-126 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Kjersti Balle Tharaldsen ◽

Paul Stallard ◽

Pim Cuijpers ◽

Edvin Bru ◽

Jon Fauskanger Bjaastad

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Mental Healthcare ◽

Healthcare Services

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“COVID affected us all:” the birth and postnatal health experiences of resettled Syrian refugee women during COVID-19 in Canada

Reproductive Health ◽

10.1186/s12978-021-01309-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Emma Stirling Cameron ◽

Howard Ramos ◽

Megan Aston ◽

Marwa Kuri ◽

Lois Jackson

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Barriers To Care ◽

Healthcare Services ◽

Public Health Nurse ◽

Constructivist Grounded Theory ◽

Refugee Women ◽

Syrian Refugee ◽

Mental Wellness ◽

Services And Supports ◽

Informal Supports

Abstract Background Prior to COVID-19, postnatal resettled refugee women in Canada reported barriers to healthcare and low levels of social support, contributing to maternal health morbidities. The COVID-19 pandemic appears to be further exacerbating health inequities for marginalized populations. The experiences of resettled refugee women are not fully known. Aim To understand Syrian refugee women’s experiences accessing postnatal healthcare services and supports during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Semi-structured, virtual interviews were conducted with eight resettled Syrian refugee women living in Nova Scotia (Canada) who were postnatal between March and August 2020. Data analysis was informed by constructivist grounded theory. Findings Three themes emerged: “the impacts of COVID-19 on postnatal healthcare;” “loss of informal support;” and “grief and anxiety.” Women experienced difficult healthcare interactions, including socially and physically isolated deliveries, challenges accessing in-person interpreters, and cancelled or unavailable in-home services (e.g., public health nurse and doula visits). Increased childcare responsibilities and limited informal supports due to pandemic restrictions left women feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. Stay-at-home orders resulted in some women reporting feelings of isolation and loss, as they were unable to share in person postnatal moments with friends and family, ultimately impacting their mental wellness. Conclusions COVID-19 and associated public health restrictions had significant impacts on postnatal Syrian refugee women. Data presented in this study demonstrated the ways in which the pandemic environment and related restrictions amplified pre-existing barriers to care and postnatal health inequalities for resettled refugee women—particularly a lack of postnatal informal supports and systemic barriers to care.

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Birth Experience in Syrian Refugee Women in Turkey: A Descriptive Phenomenological Qualitative Study

Women & Health ◽

10.1080/03630242.2021.1922570 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Şengül Yaman Sözbir ◽

Rabiye Erenoğlu ◽

Sultan Ayaz Alkaya

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Birth Experience ◽

Refugee Women ◽

Syrian Refugee

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“COVID Affected Us All:” The Birth and Postnatal Health Experiences of Resettled Syrian Refugee Women During COVID-19 in Canada

10.21203/rs.3.rs-885648/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Emma Stirling Cameron ◽

Howard Ramos ◽

Megan Aston ◽

Marwa Kuri ◽

Lois Jackson

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Barriers To Care ◽

Healthcare Services ◽

Public Health Nurse ◽

Constructivist Grounded Theory ◽

Refugee Women ◽

Syrian Refugee ◽

Mental Wellness ◽

Services And Supports ◽

Informal Supports

Abstract Background: Prior to COVID-19, postnatal resettled refugee women in Canada reported barriers to healthcare and low levels of social support, contributing to maternal health morbidities. The COVID-19 pandemic appears to be further exacerbating health inequities for marginalized populations—yet the experiences of resettled refugee women are not fully known. Aim: To understand Syrian refugee women’s experiences accessing postnatal healthcare services and supports during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with eight resettled Syrian refugee women living in Nova Scotia (Canada) who were postnatal between March and August 2020. Data analysis was informed by constructivist grounded theory. Findings: Three themes emerged: “the impacts of COVID-19 on postnatal healthcare;” “loss of informal support;” and “grief and anxiety.” Women experienced difficult healthcare interactions, including socially and physically isolated deliveries, challenges accessing in-person interpreters, and cancelled or unavailable in-home services (e.g., public health nurse and doula visits). Increased childcare responsibilities and limited informal supports due to pandemic restrictions left women feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. Stay-at-home orders resulted in some women reporting feelings of isolation and loss, as they were unable to share in person postnatal moments with friends and family, ultimately impacting their mental wellness. Conclusions: COVID-19 and associated public health restrictions had significant impacts on postnatal Syrian refugee women. Data presented in this study demonstrated the ways in which the pandemic environment and related restrictions amplified pre-existing barriers to care and postnatal health inequalities for resettled refugee women—particularly a lack of postnatal informal supports and systemic barriers to care.

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