Page 85 - S. Ličen, I. Karnjuš, & M. Prosen (Eds.). (2019). Women, migrations and health: Ensuring transcultural healthcare. Koper, University of Primorska Press.
P. 85
Use of Modern Contraceptive Methods among Migrant Women Living in Slovenia
of knowledge and access to SRH services (Metusela et al., 2017; Raben & Mu-
jisenbergh, 2018). Among some migrant communities, discussing a person’s
sexual needs is often forbidden since it is still considered a taboo. In such
cases, sexual healthcare services may be seen as culturally inappropriate,
and are thus avoided (Guerin, Allotey, Hussein Elmi, & Baho, 2006; Rogers &
Earnest, 2015). Consequently, many migrant women may possess little knowl-
edge about risk factors for unwanted pregnancies and about contraception
due to limited health literacy. Young migrant adults often do not receive
sufficient education on sexual health, and unmet contraceptive needs are
common (Aptekman, Rashid, Wright, & Dunn, 2014; Raben et al., 2018).
Based on effectiveness level, contraceptive methods can be categorised
in three large groups.¹ The safest contraception methods include male and
female sterilisation, implants, and intrauterine devices. Pills, injectables, vagi-
nal rings, hormonal patches, and the diaphragm are placed in the group
of mid-level effectiveness. The least effective methods of contraception are
considered male and female condoms, spermicides, withdrawal, and fertility-
awareness-based methods. However, migrant women may be unaware of
the newest modern contraception methods available in the host country. In
addition, women from less developed countries are less likely to use them,
which probably influences their lower use even after migration (Shah et al.,
2018). In fact, the use of contraception is affected by access to affordable and
preferred contraception, and to supportive SRH services. For immigrants, ac-
cess is made even more difficult by social and religious differences and lin-
guistic barriers (Ellawela et al., 2017). It should be emphasised that migrant
women may improve their quality of life by using modern contraceptive
methods. They can reduce the fear of unwanted pregnancy, which is present
when using traditional methods such as withdrawal and the rhythm method.
Consequently, this can have a positive impact on sexual life and promote psy-
chosocial well-being (Caruso et al., 2016). Hormonal contraceptives also pro-
vide medical benefits such as a decrease in menstrual pain and regulation of
the menstrual cycle (Shah et al., 2018).
Yet, contraceptive awareness and their use among migrant women is
poorly explored in the academic literature, even though it is a key deter-
minant of SRH. Limited evidence is available on the factors associated with
the use of contraceptive methods by migrant women. Thus, the study exam-
ines the factors associated with the modern contraceptive methods used by
migrant women in Slovenia.
¹ See https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/contraception/index.htm.
83
of knowledge and access to SRH services (Metusela et al., 2017; Raben & Mu-
jisenbergh, 2018). Among some migrant communities, discussing a person’s
sexual needs is often forbidden since it is still considered a taboo. In such
cases, sexual healthcare services may be seen as culturally inappropriate,
and are thus avoided (Guerin, Allotey, Hussein Elmi, & Baho, 2006; Rogers &
Earnest, 2015). Consequently, many migrant women may possess little knowl-
edge about risk factors for unwanted pregnancies and about contraception
due to limited health literacy. Young migrant adults often do not receive
sufficient education on sexual health, and unmet contraceptive needs are
common (Aptekman, Rashid, Wright, & Dunn, 2014; Raben et al., 2018).
Based on effectiveness level, contraceptive methods can be categorised
in three large groups.¹ The safest contraception methods include male and
female sterilisation, implants, and intrauterine devices. Pills, injectables, vagi-
nal rings, hormonal patches, and the diaphragm are placed in the group
of mid-level effectiveness. The least effective methods of contraception are
considered male and female condoms, spermicides, withdrawal, and fertility-
awareness-based methods. However, migrant women may be unaware of
the newest modern contraception methods available in the host country. In
addition, women from less developed countries are less likely to use them,
which probably influences their lower use even after migration (Shah et al.,
2018). In fact, the use of contraception is affected by access to affordable and
preferred contraception, and to supportive SRH services. For immigrants, ac-
cess is made even more difficult by social and religious differences and lin-
guistic barriers (Ellawela et al., 2017). It should be emphasised that migrant
women may improve their quality of life by using modern contraceptive
methods. They can reduce the fear of unwanted pregnancy, which is present
when using traditional methods such as withdrawal and the rhythm method.
Consequently, this can have a positive impact on sexual life and promote psy-
chosocial well-being (Caruso et al., 2016). Hormonal contraceptives also pro-
vide medical benefits such as a decrease in menstrual pain and regulation of
the menstrual cycle (Shah et al., 2018).
Yet, contraceptive awareness and their use among migrant women is
poorly explored in the academic literature, even though it is a key deter-
minant of SRH. Limited evidence is available on the factors associated with
the use of contraceptive methods by migrant women. Thus, the study exam-
ines the factors associated with the modern contraceptive methods used by
migrant women in Slovenia.
¹ See https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/contraception/index.htm.
83
