A Rohingya refugee’s journey in Australia and the barriers to accessing healthcare

Jiwrajka, Manasi; Mahmoud, Ahmad Bakur; Uppal, Maneeta

doi:10.1136/bcr-2017-219674

Cited by 12 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…When interpreters from the community are used, it is important to ensure that the interpreters understand the concepts conveyed by the mental health worker. Providers of MHPSS for Rohingya refugees should make efforts to understand and explore their clients' cultural idioms of distress (common modes of expressing distress within a culture or community) and explanatory models (the ways that people explain and make sense of their symptoms or illness), which influence their expectations and coping strategies (Jiwrajka et al ., 2017).…”

Section: Gaps and Challenges In Providing Culturally Appropriate Mentmentioning

confidence: 99%

The culture, mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of Rohingya refugees: a systematic review

Tay

Riley

Islam

et al. 2019

Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci

126

122

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AimsDespite the magnitude and protracted nature of the Rohingya refugee situation, there is limited information on the culture, mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of this group. This paper, drawing on a report commissioned by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), aims to provide a comprehensive synthesis of the literature on mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of Rohingya refugees, including an examination of associated cultural factors. The ultimate objective is to assist humanitarian actors and agencies in providing culturally relevant Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) for Rohingya refugees displaced to Bangladesh and other neighbouring countries.MethodsWe conducted a systematic search across multiple sources of information with reference to the contextual, social, economic, cultural, mental health and health-related factors amongst Rohingya refugees living in the Asia-Pacific and other regions. The search covered online databases of diverse disciplines (e.g. medicine, psychology, anthropology), grey literature, as well as unpublished reports from non-profit organisations and United Nations agencies published until 2018.ResultsThe legacy of prolonged exposure to conflict and persecution compounded by protracted conditions of deprivations and displacement is likely to increase the refugees' vulnerability to wide array of mental health problems including posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation. High rates of sexual and gender-based violence, lack of privacy and safe spaces and limited access to integrated psychosocial and mental health support remain issues of concern within the emergency operation in Bangladesh. Another challenge is the limited understanding amongst the MHPSS personnel in Bangladesh and elsewhere of the language, culture and help-seeking behaviour of Rohingya refugees. While the Rohingya language has a considerable vocabulary for emotional and behavioural problems, there is limited correspondence between these Rohingya terms and western concepts of mental disorders. This hampers the provision of culturally sensitive and contextually relevant MHPSS services to these refugees.ConclusionsThe knowledge about the culture, context, migration history, idioms of distress, help-seeking behaviour and traditional healing methods, obtained from diverse sources can be applied in the design and delivery of culturally appropriate interventions. Attention to past exposure to traumatic events and losses need to be paired with attention for ongoing stressors and issues related to worries about the future. It is important to design MHPSS interventions in ways that mobilise the individual and collective strengths of Rohingya refugees and build on their resilience.

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Section: Gaps and Challenges In Providing Culturally Appropriate Mentmentioning

confidence: 99%

The culture, mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of Rohingya refugees: a systematic review

Tay

Riley

Islam

et al. 2019

Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci

126

122

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Jiwrajka et al discuss the unique case of Rohingya refugees in Australia and their barriers to health care ( 85 ). The patient presented to an endocrinologist for diabetes management after being diagnosed and treated by her general practitioner.…”

Section: Changing Behavior Through Global Health Case Reportsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Global Health Education and Advocacy: Using BMJ Case Reports to Tackle the Social Determinants of Health

Douthit¹,

Biswas²

2018

Front. Public Health

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Since 2013, BMJ Case Reports () has published over 70 global health case reports from five continents, written by doctors, nurses, students, and allied health professionals. These cases, a burgeoning repository of evidence of how real patients are affected by disease, trauma, violence, sexual assault, conflict, migration, adverse living and working conditions, and poor access to health care, discuss, in addition to clinicopathological findings, the global health problems affecting each patient. The global health problem analysis examines the problems of individual patients, critically appraises the literature, and describes actual and potential solutions for the patient, the local community, and patients affected by similar issues across the world. At present global health literature and learning materials lack a patient focus and real-life context in the analysis of global health problems. BMJ Case Reports global health case reports are a unique and important tool to learn about and advocate for change in the social, political, cultural, and financial determinants of health as they affect real patients. This growing evidence base brings together clinicians, local service providers, policy makers, and government and non-governmental institutions to effect real change in patients’ lives toward improving health. Each global health case report is an excellent resource for learning, and together, these case reports provide essential reading for anyone embarking on a career in global health, and writing their own case report. The online course () at BMJ Case Reports uses these cases and is free to access.

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“…Women of refugee background typically experience poor health service access and health outcomes on resettlement [ 7 , 12 ]. Inadequate health literacy and health knowledge have been identified as factors in poor health service access for people of refugee background, including that of women from Myanmar [ 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Inadequate health literacy has been associated with difficulties in communicating and understanding information about health, making appointments and locating health services [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While previous research has explored how women of refugee background from Myanmar access healthcare and their healthcare experiences [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ], little is known about the women’s experiences of seeking and obtaining health information, that is, information about health, illness or health services. This study seeks to address this gap in the literature by offering insight into the experiences of women of refugee background from Myanmar seeking and accessing health information.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seeking Health Information: A Qualitative Study of the Experiences of Women of Refugee Background from Myanmar in Perth, Western Australia

Griffin

Nau

Ali

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Women of refugee background are subject to significant health inequity. Access to health information and a good level of health literacy are integral components to manage one’s health needs. The aim of this study isto understand the experiences of women of refugee background from Myanmar seeking and accessing health information. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 women of refugee background from Myanmar resettled in Western Australia. Interpretative phenomenological analysis underpinned the study and was conducted on the interview data. Three superordinate themes and nine subordinate themes emerged from the analysis: (1) Seeking health information (Motivation and Sources), (2) Facilitators and Barriers (Communication, Navigating the system and Community) and (3) Seeking health information in the context of past experiences (Health information as a by-product of healthcare, Health professionals’ provision of health information, Accessibility of healthcare and Expectations on resettlement). These themes provide insight into the challenges of accessing understandable and actionable health information and of promoting the health literacy of women of refugee background from Myanmar. Co-designed community-based and health service interventions should be trialled, including trauma-informed training for health professionals, health information apps and community health promotion programs. Community engagement, participation and evaluation are critical for determining the effective interventions to address the inequalities experienced by this population.

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A Rohingya refugee’s journey in Australia and the barriers to accessing healthcare

Cited by 12 publications

References 16 publications

The culture, mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of Rohingya refugees: a systematic review

The culture, mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of Rohingya refugees: a systematic review

Global Health Education and Advocacy: Using BMJ Case Reports to Tackle the Social Determinants of Health

Seeking Health Information: A Qualitative Study of the Experiences of Women of Refugee Background from Myanmar in Perth, Western Australia

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