Attitudes and Beliefs Pertaining to Sexual and Reproductive Health Among Unmarried, Female Bhutanese Refugee Youth in Philadelphia

Abstract

Purpose We explored attitudes and beliefs pertaining to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) among unmarried, female, resettled Bhutanese refugees 16–20 years. Methods Fourteen interviews were analyzed using the constant comparison method, and major themes were identified. Results SRH was stigmatized for unmarried youth, making seeking information about SRH or accessing family planning difficult. There were many misconceptions about access to SRH. Conclusions Universal, culturally, and linguistically appropriate comprehensive SRH education is recommended for female Bhutanese refugee youth. Terminology used should take into account differences in conceptualization of concepts like dating. Educators and health care providers should clearly describe consent and confidentiality laws regarding adolescent SRH services.

Socioecological Factors Influencing Sexual Health Experiences and Health Outcomes of Migrant Asian Women Living in ‘Western’ High-Income Countries: A Systematic Review

“…Six studies were conducted in Australia [ 40 , 43 , 45 , 49 , 52 , 54 ], five in the USA [ 41 , 42 , 44 , 51 ], three in Canada [ 48 , 50 , 55 ] and Sweden [ 38 , 39 , 53 ], and one in the UK [ 46 ]. Studies included participants born in Bhutan [ 42 ], Cambodia [ 41 ], China [ 40 , 44 , 46 , 48 ], Iran [ 52 , 54 ], Malaysia [ 40 ], Japan [ 43 ], South Korea [ 53 ], and Thailand [ 38 , 39 , 53 ]. The term “Asian” was used to describe participants in five studies [ 45 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 55 ].…”

“…Twelve studies were qualitative [ 38 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 46 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 52 , 53 , 54 ], using interviews ( n = 10) and focus groups ( n = 3). Remaining studies ( n = 4) used cross-sectional surveys [ 39 , 44 , 45 , 47 ].…”

“…Akerman et al (2017) and Dhar et al (2017) found women were uncertain about accessing health services in the host country. Akerman and colleagues conducted interviews with Thai women living in Sweden, who described limited experience accessing the Swedish healthcare system, despite stated needs.…”

“…Male partners played a critical role in enabling women to access health services, providing information on SRH and booking appointments [38]. Dhar et al (2017) found young Muslim women born in Bhutan held misconceptions around accessing health services in the USA. Women held assumptions that unmarried women were not allowed to access SRH services; that a parent was required if under the age of 18 years; or that if married, male partners had to provide consent for a woman to access SRH services unaccompanied [42].…”

Family Planning Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Among Somali and Congolese Refugee Women After Resettlement to the United States

“…Few qualitative studies on family planning in refugees resettled to the U.S. are available. A literature search revealed a single qualitative study evaluating family planning among refugees after resettlement to the U.S. Dhar and colleagues (2017) conducted 14 individual interviews with resettled Bhutanese adolescents. Their analysis indicated that family planning was stigmatized among non-married Bhutanese refugees.…”