Violence and reproductive health preceding flight from war: accounts from Somali born women in Sweden

Byrskog, Ulrika; Olsson, Pia; Essén, Birgitta; Klingberg-Allvin, Marie

doi:10.1186/1471-2458-14-892

Cited by 38 publications

(105 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…The present study was part of a larger data collection also including Somali born women’s perspectives [ 37 ]. Data were collected in 2012 and 2014.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Being a bridge: Swedish antenatal care midwives’ encounters with Somali-born women and questions of violence; a qualitative study

Byrskog

Olsson

Essén

et al. 2015

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth

Self Cite

275

342

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BackgroundViolence against women is associated with serious health problems, including adverse maternal and child health. Antenatal care (ANC) midwives are increasingly expected to implement the routine of identifying exposure to violence. An increase of Somali born refugee women in Sweden, their reported adverse childbearing health and possible links to violence pose a challenge to the Swedish maternity health care system. Thus, the aim was to explore ways ANC midwives in Sweden work with Somali born women and the questions of exposure to violence.MethodsQualitative individual interviews with 17 midwives working with Somali-born women in nine ANC clinics in Sweden were analyzed using thematic analysis.ResultsThe midwives strived to focus on the individual woman beyond ethnicity and cultural differences. In relation to the Somali born women, they navigated between different definitions of violence, ways of handling adversities in life and social contexts, guided by experience based knowledge and collegial support. Seldom was ongoing violence encountered. The Somali-born women’s’ strengths and contentment were highlighted, however, language skills were considered central for a Somali-born woman’s access to rights and support in the Swedish society. Shared language, trustful relationships, patience, and networking were important aspects in the work with violence among Somali-born women.ConclusionFocus on the individual woman and skills in inter-cultural communication increases possibilities of overcoming social distances. This enhances midwives’ ability to identify Somali born woman’s resources and needs regarding violence disclosure and support. Although routine use of professional interpretation is implemented, it might not fully provide nuances and social safety needed for violence disclosure. Thus, patience and trusting relationships are fundamental in work with violence among Somali born women. In collaboration with social networks and other health care and social work professions, the midwife can be a bridge and contribute to increased awareness of rights and support for Somali-born women in a new society.

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“…The present study was part of a larger data collection also including Somali born women’s perspectives [ 37 ]. Data were collected in 2012 and 2014.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Being a bridge: Swedish antenatal care midwives’ encounters with Somali-born women and questions of violence; a qualitative study

Byrskog

Olsson

Essén

et al. 2015

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth

Self Cite

275

342

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In East and Central Africa, women reported that disclosure could reduce women’s marriage prospects and increase the likelihood of mistreatment and stigmatization by family and community members (Byrskog, Olsson, Essen, & Allvin, 2014; Kelly et al, 2012). Boys may not disclose SV because of norms around masculinity (Easton, 2014), which expect them to resist sexual advances or to deal with the abuse on their own (Donnelly & Kenyon, 1996).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Correlates of disclosure of sexual violence among Kenyan youth

Boudreau

Kress

Rochat

et al. 2018

Child Abuse & Neglect

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Introduction Sexual violence (SV) against children is a global health and human rights issue that can have short and long-term consequences for health and wellbeing. Disclosing SV increases the likelihood that children can access health and protective services and receive psychosocial support. Research in high-income countries has found that child SV survivors are more likely to disclose when they are girls/women, experience fewer SV events, and experience SV perpetrated by a stranger. No studies have examined correlates of SV disclosure in Kenya. Objective The objective of this research was to assess the correlates of disclosing SV among Kenyan youth ages 13–24 who reported an SV experience before age 18. Methods In 2010, the Kenya Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Development, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Division of Violence Prevention, the UNICEF Kenya Country Office, and the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) conducted a national survey of violence against children. These data were used to conduct weighted logistic regression analyses to determine which factors were correlated with reporting SV disclosure. Results Among the 27.8% of girls/women and 14.5% of boys/men who reported SV before age 18, 44.6% of girls/women and 28.2% of boys/men reported to have disclosed the experience. In weighted logistic regression analysis, the odds of disclosure were lower among survivors who were boys/men and among survivors who reported more SV events, and higher when any perpetrator was a family member. Conclusion More context-specific research on SV disclosure among young people is needed globally.

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“…While the expansion of antiretroviral therapy in sub‐Saharan Africa has contributed to reductions in the incidence of HIV/AIDS in Africa (Delva & Abdool Karim, ), more work is needed to improve our understanding of factors influencing higher HIV rates in younger African women (Roxby et al, ). Several studies have associated HIV risk in African women with stigma, silence, and shame, especially among those who also experience sexual abuse (Byrskog, Olsson, Essén, & Allvin, ; Loutfy et al, ; Sprague, Hatcher, Woollett, Sommers, & Black, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Confronting Cultural Silencing of Women: Untold Stories of Abuse and HIV Risk in Young Women in Africa and the United States

Maposa¹,

Muriuki²,

Moss³

et al. 2016

WHM

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Past research has shown that sexual abuse increases vulnerability to HIV/AIDS. However, little is known about the context of different cultural traditions and how they affect women's risk. This study used data from two studies conducted in the United States and West Africa, and purposefully selected semi-structured interviews of those reporting sexual abuse. Data were collected from 2006 to 2009 (United States) and 2014 to 2015 (West Africa), and analyzed using an interpretive team approach. Findings revealed that most study participants lived with personal shame and stigma; they were silent about the abuse they suffered to protect themselves and their families. Those providing mental and physical health services to women with HIV/AIDS must be cognizant of these cultural issues and the continuing cycle of poverty and abuse that put these women at risk.

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Violence and reproductive health preceding flight from war: accounts from Somali born women in Sweden

Cited by 38 publications

References 46 publications

Being a bridge: Swedish antenatal care midwives’ encounters with Somali-born women and questions of violence; a qualitative study

Being a bridge: Swedish antenatal care midwives’ encounters with Somali-born women and questions of violence; a qualitative study

Correlates of disclosure of sexual violence among Kenyan youth

Confronting Cultural Silencing of Women: Untold Stories of Abuse and HIV Risk in Young Women in Africa and the United States

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