Medical Xenophobia: The Voices of Women Refugees in Durban, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa (original) (raw)

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

Health SA Gesondheid, 2019

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: n...

Halfway people’: Refugee views of reproductive health services

Global Public Health, 2007

The objective of this study was to identify factors that facilitate or hinder access to, use of, and satisfaction with reproductive health services in refugee settings, from the perspective of beneficiaries. Rapid appraisal methods included 46 focus group discussions and interviews with over 800 refugees, audits of 14 health facilities, referral hospital reviews, exit interviews with clients, and interviews with health workers. The study was conducted between February and April 2004 in 11 sites in Uganda, Republic of Congo, and Yemen. Reproductive health was clearly on the policy agenda in all countries with stable refugee sites, but problems with implementation and resources were identified. The quality of services was variable, with high staff turnover in some areas affecting relationships with refugee clients. Referral hospitals in host countries were not all equipped to deal with obstetric and other emergencies of either local or refugee populations, including deficiencies in safe blood supplies and antibiotics. Diagnosis and treatment of STIs and HIV/AIDS was frequently inadequate. Gender based violence was the least well addressed aspect of reproductive health. Interest and knowledge about family planning was high, but acceptance was low. It was concluded that progress has been made in reproductive health services for refugees since 1994, however, urgent advocacy and action is required to sustain and improve the situation. Local implementing partners need more support and supervision to develop appropriate service models and to maintain an acceptable standard of care.

Sexual and reproductive health of asylum seeking and refugee women in South Africa: understanding the determinants of vulnerability

Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters

Women asylum seekers and refugees face huge challenges related to their sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and rights. In this article we explore the structural determinants of vulnerability to poor SRH for these women in South Africa, and focus particularly on the political, legal and economic structures which render them vulnerable. Based on a qualitative study carried out in Durban, South Africa, we argue that it is vital to go beyond analyses which prioritise the socio-cultural barriers to sexual and reproductive health and rights for asylum seekers and refugees, and to consider the wider national and international policies and legislation which create barriers to these women's rights to SRH.

Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters Sexual and reproductive health of asylum seeking and refugee women in South Africa: understanding the determinants of vulnerability

Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters, 2020

Women asylum seekers and refugees face huge challenges related to their sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and rights. In this article we explore the structural determinants of vulnerability to poor SRH for these women in South Africa, and focus particularly on the political, legal and economic structures which render them vulnerable. Based on a qualitative study carried out in Durban, South Africa, we argue that it is vital to go beyond analyses which prioritise the socio-cultural barriers to sexual and reproductive health and rights for asylum seekers and refugees, and to consider the wider national and international policies and legislation which create barriers to these women’s rights to SRH.

Health screening and preventative health care in refugee women: A qualitative analysis

Contemporary Nurse, 2020

Background: Regular health screening provides opportunities for early detection and effective treatment of disease. The practice of health screening differs greatly between high-and-low-income countries. There is underutilisation of health services by migrants from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, particularly refugees. This is accounted for by individual, sociocultural norms, practicality, and provider and health system factors. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the beliefs and understandings of health and healthcare among African refugee women living in Australia and ascertain their use of available health screening services. Design: Qualitative secondary analysis. Method: In this secondary analysis of oral narratives derived from two primary qualitative datasets collected from Sub-Saharan women in NSW Australia, we present the preventative health, screening, and practice of the refugee women. Twenty-two of the forty-two women were refugee status on migrating to Australia. We adapted the thematic analysis used in both primary studies in the secondary analysis. The COREQ guidelines were used to ensure thorough reporting. Findings: The overarching theme was West African women's attitudes to preventative healthcare and screening. Sub-themes identified were misinformation and low health literacy and health screening as not a priority. Women generally had poor health screening habits and misunderstood the nature of certain diseases, their detection, prevention and treatment. Conclusions: There is an urgent need to develop innovative strategies to engage refugee migrant women in health screening by provision of culturally meaningful health information. This may improve health literacy, and consequently their health. The use of suggestions provided by refugee women by healthcare services underscore the role of consumer participation in health information design which may improve their attitude towards screening and preventative health care; and addressing gender-based health-seeking behaviours. Relevance to clinical practice: These findings provide information to assist policy makers and inform nurses and midwives who provide care to West African refugee migrant women.

In My Culture, We Don't Know Anything About That": Sexual and Reproductive Health of Migrant and Refugee Women

International journal of behavioral medicine, 2017

Migrant and refugee women are at risk of negative sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes due to low utilisation of SRH services. SRH is shaped by socio-cultural factors which can act as barriers to knowledge and influence access to healthcare. Research is needed to examine constructions and experiences of SRH in non-English-speaking migrant and refugee women, across a range of cultural groups. This qualitative study examined the constructions and experiences of SRH among recent migrant and refugee women living in Sydney, Australia, and Vancouver, Canada. A total of 169 women from Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, India, Sri Lanka and South America participated in the study, through 84 individual interviews, and 16 focus groups comprised of 85 participants. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Three themes were identified: "women's assessments of inadequate knowledge of sexual and reproductive health and preventative screening practices",...

Healthcare needs of displaced women: Osire refugee camp, Namibia

International Nursing Review, 2016

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of health care needs of displaced women in the Osire refugee camp in Namibia. Background: Namibia is a country where displaced people from other African countries seek refuge as a result of their own country"s political instability. All displaced people are hosted in the Osire camp, which is a highly protected area. There are more women than men in the camp and their health is often compromised. Methods: In a descriptive phenomenological study the natural dimension of the experiences of the participants of their health care needs were explored through in-depth interviews and reflected upon through transcendental processes to formulate the phenomenological dimension thereof. Findings: The essence of displaced women´s health care needs was "the need for the restoration of hope and human dignity". Their needs refer to measures to enhance their autonomy and freedom; skills training; certainty about their future; security with aid distribution; protection against stigmatisation due to Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) infection; protection against abuse; and participation in reproductive health care. Discussion: When displaced women are admitted in a camp they lose their freedom to make decisions about everyday functioning and future. They thus develop feelings of insecurity and vulnerability. Conclusion: The participants referred to several factors that were detrimental for their wellbeing. The essence of their needs was "the need for the restoration of hope and human dignity" that could only be achieved when their needs are addressed.

Reproductive health for resettling refugee and migrant women

2004

The negotiation of reproductive rights for refugee and migrant women is complicated by the experiences of displacement and migration. Notions of community, family and authorities, and rules of access to resources, are in constant flux and may differ from the traditional systems that migrant or resettling refugee women are familiar with. This article presents the qualitative findings of a three-year study focusing on the reproductive health of African and Middle Eastern refugee and migrant women resettled in Victoria.

Immigrants’ and refugees’ unmet reproductive health demands in Botswana: Perceptions of public healthcare providers

The healthcare of Batswana (citizens of Botswana) as indicated in the country’s Vision 2016 is one of the top priorities of the government of Botswana, yet Botswana’s National Health Policy, the Immigration Policy and the National Sexual and Reproductive Health Programme Framework all are silent on the obligations of the government to provide health services to the immigrant and refugee population. In view of the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Botswana, South Africa and other sub-Saharan countries, it is critical that reproductive health services be as affordable and accessible for the immigrants and refugees as they are for other residents in Botswana. This study measured the views of the primary healthcare providers in Botswana on the perceived reproductive health needs of immigrants and refugees and the availability and accessibility of reproductive healthcare services to the immigrant and refugee populations in the country. This information will be important for policy makers, the government of Botswana and the private sector to shape intervention measures to assist immigrants and refugees in seeking and accessing the desired reproductive health services.