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Reproductive health decision‐making among US ‐dwelling Somali Bantu refugee women: A qualitative study
Author(s) -
Agbemenu Kafuli,
Volpe Ellen M,
Dyer Ervin
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of clinical nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.94
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1365-2702
pISSN - 0962-1067
DOI - 10.1111/jocn.14162
Subject(s) - somali , bantu languages , focus group , refugee , health care , reproductive health , qualitative research , population , nursing , medicine , psychology , sociology , environmental health , economic growth , political science , philosophy , linguistics , social science , anthropology , law , economics
Aims and objectives To explore Somali Bantu refugee women's reproductive health decision‐making, as influenced by their resettlement in the USA . Background Available literature on reproductive health of refugee women is mostly from the healthcare provider perspective, neglecting the lived experience of the population. Design Qualitative descriptive. Methods A purposive sample of 30 women was recruited for five focus groups. Data were collected via demographic survey and semi‐structured focus group discussion. Content analysis was used to analyse the data. Results Our study revealed that Somali Bantu women considered children as wealth. Reproductive health decision‐making was influenced by three main factors: family influence, cultural/religious ideas and experience with various hormonal birth control methods. Conclusions Nurses and other healthcare providers would better serve refugee women if equipped with a more nuanced understanding of factors in their reproductive healthcare decision‐making. This study can inform tailored and cultural relevant interventions to improve reproductive health among those at greatest need. Relevance to clinical practice Our findings can serve to guide nurses and other healthcare providers' clinical approach to a subset of the population whose cultural beliefs and practices regarding reproductive health may be unfamiliar. Incorporating the perspective of the Somali Bantu women will facilitate the provision of person‐centred care and ensure women receive appropriate, efficient and quality care that meets their needs, which may potentially reduce financial costs to the healthcare system.