Health-related needs and barriers for forcibly displaced women: a systematic review

Abstract

Introduction Women represent a large proportion of the currently internationally displaced individuals. Due to gender roles, care duty, educational and economic imbalance their experiences and vulnerability during flight and relocation differ from that of men and children. The currently available information about their specific health-related needs and barriers to access is scarce and scattered. Methods We searched PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and Scopus to identify publications that explored the unique experiences of female refugees between 1 January 2008 and 30 June 2018. Publications needed to address the health needs of refugees, asylum seekers or displaced individuals, include at least 50% women in their study and employ a user-centered perspective, i.e. focus on the perspective of displaced individuals themselves and not health care providers. A framework of themes was identified and applied to all publications. Results We identified 1945 publications of which 13 could be included in the present review. Twelve of these publications employed qualitative and/or innovative methodology (e.g. ethnographies, index cards, photovoice). We identified five broad categories of health-related needs (immediate healthcare, communication, sultural/spiritual, social, economic), which are further detailed. Conclusions A concerted action providing information and culturally-sensitive care, while supporting language acquisition and economic empowerment is essential to improving the health status of female refugees. Transformative interventions need to address multiple axes of unequal access for female refugees to increase participation and overall health.