Page 84 - S. Ličen, I. Karnjuš, & M. Prosen (Eds.). (2019). Women, migrations and health: Ensuring transcultural healthcare. Koper, University of Primorska Press.
P. 84
r Karnjuš, Mirko Prosen, Urška Bogataj, Doroteja Rebec, and Sabina Ličen
to improve their socio-economic circumstances. Further, in recent years the
presence of wars around the world has also been affecting migration flows
(Adanu & Johnson, 2009). The European Union (EU) is today facing the most
serious migration crisis since World War II (European Migration Network,
2017). Despite the general belief that the lion’s share of migrants is men,
since migration is generally associated with the search for work, data for 2015
show that women made up about 48.0 of international migrants world-
wide (Shah, Kiriya, Shibanuna, & Jimba, 2018). Migration is a major event in
life that can have an extreme impact on women’s sexual and reproductive
health (SRH). In fact, studies demonstrate that migrant women’s SRH can be
negatively affected by the challenges of migration (Botfield, Newman, & Zwi,
2016; McMichael & Gifford, 2010). Moreover, depending on the policies and
practices of the host country regarding migrants, they may experience dis-
crimination and a loss of their socio-economic status (Mengesha, Perz, Dune,
& Ussher, 2017).
SRH is one of the most important components of quality of life (Metusela
et al., 2017) which includes ‘physical, emotional, mental and social well-being’
as well as ‘pleasurable, safe sexual experiences that are free from coercion,
discrimination or violence’ (WHO, 2010). The use of SRH care is associated
with improved mental health and nutrition, positive economic and social
outcomes for women, as well as clinical benefits such as reduced rates of un-
planned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection (Cohen, 2004; Menge-
sha et al., 2017).
However, the literature states (Keygnaert et al., 2014) that migrant women
are, compared to the EU population, less often screened for cervical and
breast cancer, made fewer visits to a gynaecologist, have more induced abor-
tions and pregnancy complications, and have less access to family planning
and contraception. Further, migrant women are at greater risk of sexually
transmitted infections. Although SRH is an important aspect of women’s
quality of life, migrant women have much less access to SRH services than
the EU population (Sebo, Jackson, Haller, Gaspoz, & Wolff, 2011). At the be-
ginning, due to resettlement changes, migrant women attribute low impor-
tance to sexual health needs, and knowledge about health resources and
services in the host country is often very limited (Metusela et al., 2017). While
knowledge is a major barrier regarding SRH behaviour, the latter may be
influenced by various factors such as cultural and religious norms from the
country of origin. Migrant women often come from countries in which they
hold a disadvantaged position in society. These norms affect the acquisi-
tion of sexual health literacy and behaviours, and can contribute to a lack
82
to improve their socio-economic circumstances. Further, in recent years the
presence of wars around the world has also been affecting migration flows
(Adanu & Johnson, 2009). The European Union (EU) is today facing the most
serious migration crisis since World War II (European Migration Network,
2017). Despite the general belief that the lion’s share of migrants is men,
since migration is generally associated with the search for work, data for 2015
show that women made up about 48.0 of international migrants world-
wide (Shah, Kiriya, Shibanuna, & Jimba, 2018). Migration is a major event in
life that can have an extreme impact on women’s sexual and reproductive
health (SRH). In fact, studies demonstrate that migrant women’s SRH can be
negatively affected by the challenges of migration (Botfield, Newman, & Zwi,
2016; McMichael & Gifford, 2010). Moreover, depending on the policies and
practices of the host country regarding migrants, they may experience dis-
crimination and a loss of their socio-economic status (Mengesha, Perz, Dune,
& Ussher, 2017).
SRH is one of the most important components of quality of life (Metusela
et al., 2017) which includes ‘physical, emotional, mental and social well-being’
as well as ‘pleasurable, safe sexual experiences that are free from coercion,
discrimination or violence’ (WHO, 2010). The use of SRH care is associated
with improved mental health and nutrition, positive economic and social
outcomes for women, as well as clinical benefits such as reduced rates of un-
planned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection (Cohen, 2004; Menge-
sha et al., 2017).
However, the literature states (Keygnaert et al., 2014) that migrant women
are, compared to the EU population, less often screened for cervical and
breast cancer, made fewer visits to a gynaecologist, have more induced abor-
tions and pregnancy complications, and have less access to family planning
and contraception. Further, migrant women are at greater risk of sexually
transmitted infections. Although SRH is an important aspect of women’s
quality of life, migrant women have much less access to SRH services than
the EU population (Sebo, Jackson, Haller, Gaspoz, & Wolff, 2011). At the be-
ginning, due to resettlement changes, migrant women attribute low impor-
tance to sexual health needs, and knowledge about health resources and
services in the host country is often very limited (Metusela et al., 2017). While
knowledge is a major barrier regarding SRH behaviour, the latter may be
influenced by various factors such as cultural and religious norms from the
country of origin. Migrant women often come from countries in which they
hold a disadvantaged position in society. These norms affect the acquisi-
tion of sexual health literacy and behaviours, and can contribute to a lack
82
