Barriers to sexual and reproductive health care for refugee and asylum-seeking women

Abstract

Refugee and asylum-seeking women in the UK are socially, physically and psychologically vulnerable, owing to their past experiences and current circumstances. They may have a range of social and sexual health needs, which may include suffering from the consequences of sexual violence, female genital mutilation or sexually transmitted infections due to inadequate contraceptive use. These women are often prevented or discouraged from accessing sexual and reproductive health services because of competing social priorities, limited health literacy and a lack of culturally sensitive services. This literature review examines barriers to sexual and reproductive health care for refugee and asylum-seeking women, exploring how issues can be addressed and ameliorated by midwives and the wider health-care team during pregnancy.