Conflict and Health
Volume 12, Issue 1, 2018

Healthcare needs and health service utilization by Syrian refugee women in Toronto (Article) (Open Access)

Guruge S.* , Sidani S. , Illesinghe V. , Younes R. , Bukhari H. , Altenberg J. , Rashid M. , Fredericks S.
  • a Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Ryerson University, POD 452A, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
  • b Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Ryerson University, YNG 316, 415 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M5B 2E7, Canada
  • c Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Ryerson University, POD 450A, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
  • d Canadian Arab Institute, 120 Adelaide Street West, Toronto, ON M5H 1T1, Canada
  • e Arab Community Centre of Toronto, 555 Burnhamthorpe Road, Toronto, ON M9C 2Y3, Canada
  • f South Riverdale Community Health Centre, 955 Queen Street East, Toronto, ON M4M 3P3, Canada
  • g Women's College Hospital, 76 Grenville Street, Toronto, ON M5S 1B2, Canada
  • h Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Ryerson University, POD 474B, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada

Abstract

Objective: Access to healthcare is an important part of the (re)settlement process for Syrian refugees in Canada. There is growing concern about the healthcare needs of the 54,560 Syrian refugees who were admitted to Canada by May 2018, 80% of whom are women and children. We explored the healthcare needs of newcomer Syrian women, their experiences in accessing and using health services, and the factors and conditions that shape whether and how they access and utilize health services in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Method: This community-based qualitative descriptive interpretive study was informed by Yang & Hwang (2016) health service utilization framework. Focus group discussions were held with 58 Syrian newcomer women in the GTA. These discussions were conducted in Arabic, audio-recorded with participants' consent, translated into English and transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Participants' health concerns included chronic, long-term conditions as well as new and emerging issues. Initial health insurance and coverage were enabling factors to access to services, while language and social disconnection were barriers. Other factors, such as beliefs about naturopathic medicine, settlement in suburban areas with limited public transportation, and lack of linguistically, culturally, and gender-appropriate services negatively affected access to and use of healthcare services. Conclusion: Responding to the healthcare needs of Syrian newcomer women in a timely and comprehensive manner requires coordinated, multi-sector initiatives that can address the financial, social, and structural barriers to their access and use of services. © 2018 The Author(s).

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

male human female major clinical study thematic analysis refugee language Syrian Article health care utilization health insurance suburban area health care need adult gender human experiment genetic transcription
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85058972973&doi=10.1186%2fs13031-018-0181-x&partnerID=40&md5=79532600de42f39a8e287899049d2590
DOI: 10.1186/s13031-018-0181-x
ISSN: 17521505
Original Language: English