Purpose This study is oriented towards getting insight into the perspectives, knowledge and practices among Syrian refugees regarding antibiotic use and prescribing in Dutch primary care. Design/methodology/approach A thematic qualitative study was carried out using semi-structured interviews with 12 Syrian refugees living in the Netherlands. Data analysis consisted of three steps and was oriented towards the development of themes. Findings Participants were confronted with restricted access to antibiotics in the Netherlands which was contrary to their experiences in Syria. Some of them continued to self-prescribe antibiotics, while others adhered to the Dutch General Practitioner (GP)’s advice. Especially mothers with young children took up the Dutch GP’s advice. Syrian refugees expressed health beliefs about the healing effects of antibiotics which are related to their past experiences of use and which influenced their current use. Respondents complained about the Dutch health-care system and expressed a preference for the one in Syria. Research limitations/implications Syrian refugees vary in their way of dealing with restricted access to antibiotics in Dutch primary care. More in-depth knowledge is required to improve refugee patient–doctor communication about antibiotic use. Practical implications The message that antibiotics are not needed may be challenging. Additional communication seems to be necessary to persuade Syrian refugees from self-prescribing antibiotics. Therefore, identifying refugee patient concerns and carefully counseling and communicating it with them is substantial. Developing educational toolkits consisting of various experiences of antibiotic use and ways of dealing with it can equip doctors to more adequately react to migrants’ needs for care. Social implications Primary care professionals seem insufficiently equipped to tackle issues related to antibiotic use amongst newly arrived migrants. Therefore, it is important to support professionals in their communication with this patient group about the proper use of antibiotics. Originality/value This study shows that more in-depth knowledge is needed about the strategies of newly arrived migrants and their complex reactions to treatment prescriptions with which they are not familiar.

INTRODUCTION In order to prevent child abuse, the care for women and girls at risk of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) in the Netherlands has been delegated to Youth Health Care Professionals (YHCPs). However, there is considerable evidence about sub-optimal care provided by YHCPs. This study aimed to explore the aids and barriers in providing FGM-related healthcare as perceived by YHCPs. METHOD A qualitative study was carried out in which 15 YHCPs were interviewed. Data analysis consisted of three steps and was oriented towards the development of themes. RESULTS The results show insufficient knowledge and awareness of FGM/C and not sharing information about it among YHCPs. A facilitating factor is the existence of an instructor protocol together with a digital reminder of the contact moments to discuss FGM/C with a client; a main barrier was the difficulty to discuss the issue of FGM/C with the target group. CONCLUSION FGM/C is a complicated, culturally based tradition. There is a need for improvement of the conversation-related part of the protocol and for participative workshops to train Dutch YHCPs to work effectively across divides.

INTRODUCTION In order to prevent child abuse, the care for women and girls at risk of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) in the Netherlands has been delegated to Youth Health Care Professionals (YHCPs). However, there is considerable evidence about sub-optimal care provided by YHCPs. This study aimed to explore the facilitators and barriers in providing FGM-related healthcare as perceived by YHCPs. METHOD A qualitative study was carried out in which 15 YHCPs were interviewed. Data analysis consisted of three steps and was oriented towards the development of themes. RESULTS The results show insufficient knowledge and awareness of FGM/C and not sharing information about it among YHCPs. A facilitating factor is the existence of an instructor protocol together with a digital reminder of the contact moments to discuss FGM/C with a client; a main barrier was the difficulty to discuss the issue of FGM/C with the target group. CONCLUSION FGM/C is a complicated, culturally based tradition. There is a need for improvement of the conversation-related part of the protocol and for participative workshops to train Dutch YHCPs to work effectively across divides.