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Refugee Women's Receptiveness for Virtual Engagement on Reproductive Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Thiel de Bocanegra, Heike; Goliaei, Zahra; Khan, Nossin; Banna, Sereen; Behnam, Rawnaq; Mody, Sheila K.
  • Thiel de Bocanegra H; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of California, UCIMC - Chapman Pavilion, 3rd Floor, suite 3400, Irvine, Orange, CA, 92868, USA. hthiel@hs.uci.edu.
  • Goliaei Z; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, Irvine, Orange, USA. hthiel@hs.uci.edu.
  • Khan N; Public Health, School of Social Sciences, University of California, Merced, Merced, USA.
  • Banna S; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of California, UCIMC - Chapman Pavilion, 3rd Floor, suite 3400, Irvine, Orange, CA, 92868, USA.
  • Behnam R; California Department of Health, Office of Refugee Health, Sacramento, Sacramento, USA.
  • Mody SK; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of California, UCIMC - Chapman Pavilion, 3rd Floor, suite 3400, Irvine, Orange, CA, 92868, USA.
Int J Behav Med ; 2022 May 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2319850
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Refugee women who leave their country due to persecution and violence have multiple barriers to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. The COVID-19 pandemic added an additional barrier to in-person reproductive health education, dialogue, and clinical care. This study aimed to assess the potential of using virtual group meetings as a forum for refugee women to learn about and discuss reproductive health concerns such as cervical cancer screening, family planning, childbirth, and postpartum care.

METHOD:

We conducted semi-structured interviews with 36 refugee women and stakeholders to assess factors that impact refugee women's receptiveness for virtual platforms to obtain information and engage in discussions on reproductive health. Thematic analysis was conducted using the software Dedoose.

RESULTS:

Openness to engage in virtual platforms varied by refugee community, women's demographic, and life experience. The women's involvement with local refugee groups facilitated their engagement with virtual platforms. Furthermore, individuals' family structure and marital relationship, along with literacy and English proficiency, and access to and familiarity with technology impacted engagement. Virtual groups needed to mirror confidentiality and women expressed a strong preference that groups were all-women.

CONCLUSION:

Refugee women are receptive to virtual groups on SRH when they are offered in a culturally appropriate manner that considers the living situations and access to technology after arrival to the USA. Findings from this study provide a framework to develop and tailor effective virtual or hybrid virtual-in-person programs for women in refugee communities.
Keywords

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Experimental Studies / Prognostic study / Qualitative research / Randomized controlled trials Language: English Journal subject: Behavioral Sciences Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S12529-022-10097-3

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Experimental Studies / Prognostic study / Qualitative research / Randomized controlled trials Language: English Journal subject: Behavioral Sciences Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S12529-022-10097-3