Page 136 - S. Ličen, I. Karnjuš, & M. Prosen (Eds.). (2019). Women, migrations and health: Ensuring transcultural healthcare. Koper, University of Primorska Press.
P. 136
ko Prosen, Sabina Ličen, Urška Bogataj, Doroteja Rebec, and Igor Karnjuš
ual and reproductive health, health literacy among newly arrived migrant
women and those living in the host country for some time, gender-related
barriers to accessing healthcare services along with re-examining ways to
overcome the language barrier in the health system. Epidemiologic studies
are also needed to determine the impact of health disparities on maternal
morbidity and the mortality and perinatal outcomes of migrant women.
Conclusions
Migrant women form one of the most vulnerable and marginalised popu-
lation groups, often excluded from healthcare services by a complex set of
reasons, being either cultural, gender-related or based on their social sta-
tus. Migrant women’s health is much more challenged than men’s, and not
just during migration and arrival as shown by the study, and particularly so
if we discuss sexual and reproductive health. Healthcare professionals have
an important role in recognising health disparities and the diverse needs of
migrant women deriving from their cultural background. Cultural respon-
siveness or cultural sensitivity must therefore become an imperative which
obliges healthcare professionals to deliver culturally congruent care; how-
ever, without appropriate support, their efforts are often subject to improvi-
sation. Healthcare services as well as policymakers should recognise the ef-
fect of migration on women’s health and the need to address this issue sys-
tematically in clinical settings (for example, overcoming the language bar-
rier) or in the community (for example, health promotion and health moni-
toring throughout the lifespan).
References
Adanu, R. M., & Johnson, T. R. (2009). Migration and women’s health. Interna-
tional Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 106(2), 179–181.
AIDOS, ADUSU, & Culture aperte. (2009). Mutilazioni dei genitali femminili e
diritti umani nelle communita migranti: Rapporto di ricerca nelle regioni
Veneto e Friuli Venezia Giulia. Retrieved from http://www.aidos.it/wp
-content/uploads/2009/01/MGF-rapporto-ricercacomunitC3A0
-migranti-_ok-1.pdf
Andrews, M. M., & Boyle, J. S. (2012). Theoretical foundations of transcultural
nursing. In M. M. Andrews & J. S. Boyle (Eds.), Transcultural concepts in
nursing care (6th ed., pp. 3–16). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott
Williams & Wilkins.
Arousell, J., & Carlbom, A. (2016). Culture and religious beliefs in relation to re-
productive health. Best Practice & Research: Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecol-
ogy, 32, 77–87.
134
ual and reproductive health, health literacy among newly arrived migrant
women and those living in the host country for some time, gender-related
barriers to accessing healthcare services along with re-examining ways to
overcome the language barrier in the health system. Epidemiologic studies
are also needed to determine the impact of health disparities on maternal
morbidity and the mortality and perinatal outcomes of migrant women.
Conclusions
Migrant women form one of the most vulnerable and marginalised popu-
lation groups, often excluded from healthcare services by a complex set of
reasons, being either cultural, gender-related or based on their social sta-
tus. Migrant women’s health is much more challenged than men’s, and not
just during migration and arrival as shown by the study, and particularly so
if we discuss sexual and reproductive health. Healthcare professionals have
an important role in recognising health disparities and the diverse needs of
migrant women deriving from their cultural background. Cultural respon-
siveness or cultural sensitivity must therefore become an imperative which
obliges healthcare professionals to deliver culturally congruent care; how-
ever, without appropriate support, their efforts are often subject to improvi-
sation. Healthcare services as well as policymakers should recognise the ef-
fect of migration on women’s health and the need to address this issue sys-
tematically in clinical settings (for example, overcoming the language bar-
rier) or in the community (for example, health promotion and health moni-
toring throughout the lifespan).
References
Adanu, R. M., & Johnson, T. R. (2009). Migration and women’s health. Interna-
tional Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 106(2), 179–181.
AIDOS, ADUSU, & Culture aperte. (2009). Mutilazioni dei genitali femminili e
diritti umani nelle communita migranti: Rapporto di ricerca nelle regioni
Veneto e Friuli Venezia Giulia. Retrieved from http://www.aidos.it/wp
-content/uploads/2009/01/MGF-rapporto-ricercacomunitC3A0
-migranti-_ok-1.pdf
Andrews, M. M., & Boyle, J. S. (2012). Theoretical foundations of transcultural
nursing. In M. M. Andrews & J. S. Boyle (Eds.), Transcultural concepts in
nursing care (6th ed., pp. 3–16). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott
Williams & Wilkins.
Arousell, J., & Carlbom, A. (2016). Culture and religious beliefs in relation to re-
productive health. Best Practice & Research: Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecol-
ogy, 32, 77–87.
134
