International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume 15, Issue 1, 2018

Preparedness of health care professionals for delivering sexual and reproductive health care to refugee and migrant women: A mixed methods study (Article) (Open Access)

Mengesha Z.B.* , Perz J. , Dune T. , Ussher J.
  • a Translational Health Research Institute (THRI), School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
  • b Translational Health Research Institute (THRI), School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
  • c Translational Health Research Institute (THRI), School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia, School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
  • d Translational Health Research Institute (THRI), School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia

Abstract

Past research suggests that factors related to health care professionals’ (HCPs) knowledge, training and competency can contribute to the underutilisation of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care by refugee and migrant women. The aim of this study was to examine the perceived preparedness of HCPs in relation to their knowledge, confidence and training needs when it comes to consulting refugee and migrant women seeking SRH care in Australia. A sequential mixed methods design, comprising an online survey with 79 HCPs (45.6% nurses, 30.3% general practitioners (GPs), 16.5% health promotion officers, and 7.6% allied health professionals) and semi-structured interviews with 21 HCPs, was utilised. HCPs recognised refugee and migrant women’s SRH as a complex issue that requires unique skills for the delivery of optimal care. However, they reported a lack of training (59.4% of nurses, 50% of GPs, and 38.6% of health promotion officers) and knowledge (27.8% of nurses, 20.8% of GPs, and 30.8% of health promotion officers) in addressing refugee and migrant women’s SRH. The majority of participants (88.9% of nurses, 75% of GPs, and 76% of health promotion officers) demonstrated willingness to engage with further training in refugee and migrant women’s SRH. The implications of the findings are argued regarding the need to train HCPs in culturally sensitive care and include the SRH of refugee and migrant women in university and professional development curricula in meeting the needs of this growing and vulnerable group of women. © 2018 by the author. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Author Keywords

Refugee and migrant women Knowledge Health care professionals Confidence sexual and reproductive health Training

Index Keywords

Health Personnel professional development Reproduction perception immigrant training refugee nurse health promotion sexual behavior Australia health care personnel human Refugees middle aged general practitioner knowledge womens status Humans male semi structured interview female sexual health Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice women's health Article health care adult migration Reproductive Health health worker Culturally Competent Care transcultural care skill Transients and Migrants attitude to health
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85041036015&doi=10.3390%2fijerph15010174&partnerID=40&md5=d3c351fc5377c114dda70aa02f50fee5
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15010174
ISSN: 16617827
Cited by: 4
Original Language: English