Background. The number of African refugee women in Australia has increased, and there are concerns that they may have unmet healthcare needs when pregnant. However, there is little research into factors that facilitate or impede antenatal care uptake among refugee communities. Aim. To explore factors that facilitate or impede the uptake of antenatal care among African refugee women. Objectives. To identify factors impacting on attendance rates and to later use this information to inform culturally- sensitive programmes for refugee African women. Such programmes might, in turn, positively influence attendance for antenatal care among this group. Method. An exploratory qualitative methodology was employed, using an observational method and semi-structured interviews with attending women and healthcare staff. Findings. Four themes were identified as impacting on attendance rates at clinic appointments - staff attitudes, the availability of interpreters, knowledge about the clinic at community level and convenient location. Conclusions. Strategies employed by the midwife to 'see things from the woman's perspective' and to 'make it easy for them to attend' appeared to promote high levels of clinic attendance. © 2007 The Royal College of Midwives.

Midwives Refugees Pregnancy care African women

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