Page 157 - S. Ličen, I. Karnjuš, & M. Prosen (Eds.). (2019). Women, migrations and health: Ensuring transcultural healthcare. Koper, University of Primorska Press.
P. 157
When Language and Culture Interfere:
Sexual and Reproductive Health
of Migrant Women in the Coastal Region
of Slovenia
Zorana Medarić
Science and Research Centre Koper and University of Primorska, Slovenia
zorana.medaric@zrs-kp.si
Mateja Sedmak
Science and Research Centre Koper, Slovenia
mateja.sedmak@zrs-kp.si
The aim of this chapter is to present and discuss the field of reproductive health
of migrant women, with emphasis on the perspectives of migrant women and
healthcare professional (doctors, midwives, community nurses, etc.) on exist-
ing practices, intercultural differences, access to reproductive healthcare ser-
vices, etc. Within the chapter we discuss the results of the qualitative study and
in-depth interviews that were implemented in the coastal region of Slovenia.
The chapter presents different issues that emerged from the study, focusing
on: (1) language barriers, (2) intercultural competencies of healthcare profes-
sionals, (3) (hidden) discriminatory practices/attitudes of medical personnel,
(4) information and access of migrant women to health services and (5) the im-
portance of social ties for the reproductive health of migrant women. Finally,
the article proposes some guidelines for further action in this area.
Introduction
In this chapter we address the complex topic of the reproductive and sex-
ual health of migrant women, with special emphasis on the personal experi-
ences and perceptions of migrant women and healthcare professionals. This
is an area that has rarely been researched in Slovenia. In the existing studies
on migrants and the health system, the issue of migrant women has been
addressed only indirectly; they are exposed as a vulnerable group which
should be given special attention in this context. While none of the studies
addressed the narrow area of the reproductive health of migrant women,
there has been some research in the topic of general access to medical care
for migrants. The results of these studies (Jazbinšek & Palaić, 2009; Bofulin &
Bešter 2010; Rajgelj, 2012; Lipovec-Čebron, 2009, 2010, 2017) indicate that mi-
grants within the health system in Slovenia are faced with various problems,
155
Sexual and Reproductive Health
of Migrant Women in the Coastal Region
of Slovenia
Zorana Medarić
Science and Research Centre Koper and University of Primorska, Slovenia
zorana.medaric@zrs-kp.si
Mateja Sedmak
Science and Research Centre Koper, Slovenia
mateja.sedmak@zrs-kp.si
The aim of this chapter is to present and discuss the field of reproductive health
of migrant women, with emphasis on the perspectives of migrant women and
healthcare professional (doctors, midwives, community nurses, etc.) on exist-
ing practices, intercultural differences, access to reproductive healthcare ser-
vices, etc. Within the chapter we discuss the results of the qualitative study and
in-depth interviews that were implemented in the coastal region of Slovenia.
The chapter presents different issues that emerged from the study, focusing
on: (1) language barriers, (2) intercultural competencies of healthcare profes-
sionals, (3) (hidden) discriminatory practices/attitudes of medical personnel,
(4) information and access of migrant women to health services and (5) the im-
portance of social ties for the reproductive health of migrant women. Finally,
the article proposes some guidelines for further action in this area.
Introduction
In this chapter we address the complex topic of the reproductive and sex-
ual health of migrant women, with special emphasis on the personal experi-
ences and perceptions of migrant women and healthcare professionals. This
is an area that has rarely been researched in Slovenia. In the existing studies
on migrants and the health system, the issue of migrant women has been
addressed only indirectly; they are exposed as a vulnerable group which
should be given special attention in this context. While none of the studies
addressed the narrow area of the reproductive health of migrant women,
there has been some research in the topic of general access to medical care
for migrants. The results of these studies (Jazbinšek & Palaić, 2009; Bofulin &
Bešter 2010; Rajgelj, 2012; Lipovec-Čebron, 2009, 2010, 2017) indicate that mi-
grants within the health system in Slovenia are faced with various problems,
155
