JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Access to effective and affordable family planning services has direct benefits for women’s physiological functioning and mental health. Effective family planning reduces the incidence of unwanted pregnancy, and unsafe abortion, ultimately contributing to gender equality, social justice, and economic development. Refugee and asylum-seeking women across Europe often encounter barriers when attempting to access and use family planning services and supports due to legal restrictions, language barriers, lack of insurance, and more. This has resulted in refugee and asylum-seeking women experiencing significantly higher rates of unplanned pregnancy and abortion when compared to native-born women. Previous research seeking to understand women’s access to sexual and reproductive care have largely relied on chart reviews and interview with healthcare staff. The purpose of the study is to gather the lived experiences of refugee and asylum-seeking women in Switzerland to understand their experiences accessing family planning services and supports.

Methods:

This research project will take a qualitative, participatory approach and includes three phases. All research will be conducted in the canton of Bern, Switzerland with Arabic-speaking women. Phase one (completed), involved community consultations with stakeholders in healthcare and migration and refugees and asylum-seekers. These consultations helped to co-develop best practices for conducting the research study, ensuring data collection and interview methods would be feasible, safe, and appropriate. Phase two includes the piloting and adjustment of research methods and collection of preliminary data. During the pilot phase, approximately five refugee and/or asylum-seeking women will be asked to participate in individual, semi-structured interviews. Additional community consultations will take place after the piloting and methodological adjustments will be made based on participatory feedback and stakeholder engagement. Phase three will include the collection of 10-12 additional participants, through both focus groups and individual interviews. All qualitative interviews will be translated into German and transcribed. Thematic analysis will be used to analyze the data, using a Reproductive Justice lens. Discussion: This study will provide critical first-hand knowledge on the experiences of refugee and asylum-seeking women who are trying to and using family planning services and supports in Switzerland. Findings will generate knowledge that will be integral to overcoming policy concerns.