scholarly journals Challenges of women refugees in utilising reproductive health services in public health institutions in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yvonne Munyaneza ◽  
Euphemia M. Mhlongo
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Women Refugees ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Public Healthcare ◽  
Reproductive Health Services ◽  
Negative Experiences ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Positive Experiences

Background: Reproductive health services are essential for everyone worldwide. In South Africa, the available literature does not address reproductive health as a full package for women refugees and their experiences. This study addressed women refugees in relation to reproductive healthcare services they receive from public healthcare facilities.Aim: The aim of the study was to document the day-to-day experiences of women refugees and uncover their challenges regarding utilisation of reproductive health services in public institutions of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.Setting: The study was conducted in eThekwini district, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, and did not consider participants who are located beyond the above-mentioned city’s borders.Methods: A qualitative, descriptive design was used. A semi-structured interview guide was used to collect data through face-to-face in-depth interviews with eight women refugees. Thematic content analysis guided the study.Results: Two major themes emerged: negative experiences or challenges, and positive experiences. The most dominant negative experiences included medical xenophobia and discrimination, language barrier, unprofessionalism, failure to obtain consent and lack of confidentiality, ill-treatment, financial challenges, internalised fear, religious and cultural hegemony, and the shortage of health personnel and overcrowding of public hospitals. The positive experiences included positive treatment and care and social support.Conclusion: The findings revealed that women refugees in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, face many challenges such as medical xenophobia and discrimination in their attempt to seek reproductive health services in public healthcare facilities, making them even more vulnerable. Assisting women refugees with their reproductive health needs will remediate the challenges they face.

scholarly journals Medical Xenophobia: The Voices of Women Refugees in Durban, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yvonne Munyaneza ◽  
Euphemia Mbali Mhlongo
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Women Refugees ◽  
Reproductive Health Services ◽  
Negative Experiences ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Public Health Institutions ◽  
Positive Experiences ◽  
Health Institutions

ABSTRACTBackgroundWomen refugees are mostly affected due to their specific needs for reproductive health services. In their attempt to utilize reproductive health care services, women refugees face medical xenophobia by the health care professionals. Upon their arrival in South Africa, refugee women do not undergo any screening, and this exposes them to health risks making them more prone to all different types of diseases, as many of them are survivors of rape and other acts of sexual violence.ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to describe the voices of women refugees regarding reproductive health services in public health institutions in Durban KwaZulu-NatalMethodsA qualitative, descriptive design was used. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews with eight women refugees living in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. Thematic content analysis guided the study.ResultsTwo main themes emerged from the data: negative experiences/challenges, and positive experiences. The negative experiences included medical xenophobia and discrimination, language barrier, unprofessionalism, failure to obtain consent and lack of confidentiality, ill-treatment, financial challenges, internalised fear, religious and cultural domination, the shortage of health personnel and overcrowding of public hospitals. The positive experiences included positive treatment, care and social support.ConclusionThe study concluded that discrimination and medical xenophobia remain a challenge for women refugees seeking reproductive health services in public health institutions in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

scholarly journals Medical Xenophobia: The Voices of Women Refugees in Durban, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (13) ◽  
pp. 25
Author(s):  
Yvonne Munyaneza ◽  
Euphemia Mbali Mhlongo
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Women Refugees ◽  
Reproductive Health Services ◽  
Negative Experiences ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Public Health Institutions ◽  
Positive Experiences ◽  
Health Institutions

BACKGROUND: Women refugees are mostly affected due to their specific needs for reproductive health services. In their attempt to utilize reproductive health care services, women refugees face medical xenophobia by the health care professionals. Upon their arrival in South Africa, refugee women do not undergo any screening, and this exposes them to health risks making them more prone to all different types of diseases, as many of them are survivors of rape and other acts of sexual violence. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to describe the voices of women refugees regarding reproductive health services in public health institutions in Durban KwaZulu-Natal METHODS: A qualitative, descriptive design was used. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews with eight women refugees living in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. Thematic content analysis guided the study. RESULTS: Two main themes emerged from the data: negative experiences/challenges, and positive experiences. The negative experiences included medical xenophobia and discrimination, language barrier, unprofessionalism, failure to obtain consent and lack of confidentiality, ill-treatment, financial challenges, internalised fear, religious and cultural domination, the shortage of staff and overcrowding of public hospitals. The positive experiences included positive care and treatment. CONCLUSION: The study concluded that discrimination and medical xenophobia remain a challenge for women refugees seeking reproductive health services in public health institutions in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

scholarly journals Reproductive intentions and choices among HIV-infected individuals in Cape Town, South Africa: Lessons for reproductive policy and service provision from a qualitative study

2005 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Cape Town ◽  
Reproductive Health Services ◽  
Reproductive Intentions

While many HIV-infected individuals do not wish to have children, others want children despite their infected status. The desire and intent to have children among HIV-infected individuals may increase because of improved quality of life and survival following commencement of antiretroviral treatment. In developing countries such as South Africa, where the largest number of people living with HIV/AIDS worldwide reside, specific government reproductive health policy and service provision for HIV-infected individuals is underdeveloped. This policy brief presents findings from a qualitative study that explored HIV-infected individuals’ reproductive intentions, decision-making, and need for reproductive health services. The study also assessed the opinions of health-service providers, policymakers, and influential figures within nongovernmental organizations who are likely to play important roles in the shaping and delivery of reproductive health services. Conducted at two health centers in the Cape Town metropolitan area in South Africa from May 2004 to January 2005, the study focused on issues that impact reproductive choice and decision-making and identified critical policy, health service, and research-related matters to be addressed.

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