Australian journal of general practice
Volume 47, Issue 8, 2018, Pages 564-569

Talking to migrant and refugee young people about sexual health in general practice (Article) (Open Access)

Botfield J.R. , Newman C.E. , Kang M. , Zwi A.B.
  • a BN, MPH, MIPH, Health, Rights and Development (HEARD@UNSW), School of Social Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW; Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW; Family Planning NSW, Ashfield, NSW. [email protected]
  • b Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Kensington, United States
  • c MBBS, MCH, Faculty of Health, Australian Centre for Public and Population Health Research, NSW
  • d MSc, Health, Rights and Development (HEARD@UNSW), School of Social Sciences, UNSW Sydney, NSW., Kensington, United States

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Young people are an important group to target with health promotion and preventive healthcare. This paper focuses on the engagement of migrant and refugee young people with sexual and reproductive healthcare in general practice. METHOD: Semi-structured first interviews (n = 27; 16 female, 11 male) and follow-up interviews (n = nine; six female, three male) were undertaken with migrant and refugee young people aged 16-24 years living in Sydney. RESULTS: The majority of participants had seen a general practitioner (GP) for general health issues. However, most were reluctant to discuss sexual health with a practitioner whom they described as their 'family doctor', primarily because of concerns about judgement and confidentiality. Most described negative experiences with GPs for sexual health matters, including not being listened to or being rushed through the appointment. DISCUSSION: There appears to be a lack of effective engagement with migrant and refugee young people by GPs in relation to sexual health. Building the skills and confidence of GPs to work with this group and promote sexual health and wellbeing should be considered, and efforts should be made to communicate confidentiality and trustworthiness.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

general practice education information processing health promotion sexual behavior human procedures qualitative research interview Young Adult Humans psychology Adolescent Interviews as Topic male female sexual health migration Transients and Migrants Focus Groups
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85074024882&doi=10.31128%2fAJGP-02-18-4508&partnerID=40&md5=3ab09cc31b60a96d2647731867e3f5f3
DOI: 10.31128/AJGP-02-18-4508
ISSN: 22087958
Original Language: English