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. 2022 Nov;30(6):e3459-e3476.
doi: 10.1111/hsc.13955. Epub 2022 Aug 1.

Accessing and navigating healthcare: A scoping review of the experiences of women of refugee background from Myanmar

Georgia Griffin  1 , Mohammed Ali  1 , S Zaung Nau  2 , Elisha Riggs  3   4 , Jaya A R Dantas  1
Affiliations

Accessing and navigating healthcare: A scoping review of the experiences of women of refugee background from Myanmar

Georgia Griffin et al. Health Soc Care Community. 2022 Nov.

Abstract

Despite well-documented health problems, healthcare access by women of refugee background in resettlement countries is typically poor. Suggested reasons include inadequate health literacy and resettlement challenges. A scoping review to explore the experiences of women of refugee background from Myanmar accessing and navigating healthcare was conducted following Arksey and O'Malley's framework, with an intersectional lens. Studies were analysed thematically following Braun and Clark's approach; four themes (eight subthemes) were constructed: Culture (Constructions of health; Navigating cultural tensions); Gender (Shifting gender roles; Sexual and reproductive health); Survivorship (Past health experiences; Strength in collectivism); and Language (The language barrier; Masked communication barriers). Intersectional factors of culture, gender, survivorship and language influenced women's experiences, shaping barriers and facilitators to healthcare. Community networks and bicultural peers are resources which may be enhanced. Research into trauma-informed cultural competency programs, community education and bicultural health navigators is recommended to support women of refugee background from Myanmar.

Keywords: Healthcare access; Intersectionality; Myanmar; Refugee women; Refugees; Survivorship.

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Conflict of interest statement

They have no relevant or non‐financial interests to disclose, or competing interests to declare relevant to the content of this article.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
PRISMA flow diagram, modified from Page et al. (2021).
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Themes diagram
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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