Family planning services were introduced in Vietnam by the Americans about 20 years ago, but on a limited basis. Many of the Vietnamese refugee women have had no contact with such services. Abortion was illegal until 1975 in South Vietnam, but since the takeover, abortion clinics have been available as part of the public hospital system. Family planning was available in some of the refugee camps. Most of the Vietnam refugees fled their country by boat. Before their acceptance by Australia, the Vietnamese refugees have health checks by the Australian Commonwealth Health Department in the country of transit. Shortly after their arrival in Australia, health screening is done by the State Health Department. The majority of refugees are accommodated in migrant hostels for the 1st 3-12 months. Family planning is incorporated into Eastbridge Hostel's orientation program. During participation in some family planning discussion groups with the Indochinese refugees, it was observed that the women were particularly shy and hesitant to talk about sexual concerns in a large group or in mixed company. As personal matters are dealt with in the family, it is preferable to have a female as a discussion leader and interpreter. Visual aids such as a display of contraceptive devices, a model showing female anatomy and a family planning film for non-English speaking migrants are particularly useful. As a female doctor using a female interpreter the aim was to provide an accessible service for Indochinese women with family planning inquiries or gynecological problems. It is important that the interpreter is present in the consulting room. Nonverbal cues are most important and particular attention should be paid to establishing eye contact with the patient. Simple miming techniques or the use of diagrams may be helpful in reinforcing the work of the interpreter. When listening to the patient, it is useful to look and listen for nonverbal cues from them. Between February 1980 and May 1981, 60 Indochinese women presented with gynecological problems. Approximately 50% of these women had either not been using an effective method of family planning or had been using the rhythm method. A considerable number of the women who were using a reliable method of contraception began doing so either in the country of transit or in Australia, and probably in the postnatal period. The majority of women requesting family planning chose an oral contraceptive (OC) agent. Indochinese women seem more reluctant that Australian women to select surgically related procedures such as IUD insertion or tubal ligation. The different cultural background of the Indochinese refugees influences both attitudes toward family planning and the communication process in the family planning consultation.

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Family Planning Programs Contraceptives, Oral Vietnam cultural anthropology Australia population Cambodia Laos Population Dynamics Developing Countries human Refugees Asia Ethnic Groups Developed Countries Contraceptive Devices Settlement And Resettlement Oceania Cultural Background attitude Sterilization, Tubal female genital system male female Viet Nam Psychological Factors Socioeconomic Factors Behavior Contraception pregnancy prevention organization and management Abortion, Legal migration Southeastern Asia Contraceptive Usage Demographic Factors ethnic or racial aspects Economic Factors Population Characteristics family planning