Life experience of pregnancy among Iranian homeless women

Abstract

This study aimed to analyse homeless women’s life experiences during pregnancy in shelters, drop-in centres and outreach services in Iran. In this qualitative study, thematic analysis was used to explore the experiences of 13 homeless women. The results showed that all participants were substance abusers, most commonly with methamphetamine. Consistent themes emerged from the data: (a) women’s understanding, feelings and actions regarding unplanned pregnancy, (b) violence in public places, (c) social rejection, (d) maintaining femininity through maternal roles within hegemonic masculinity, (e) social exclusion, and (f) addiction as an aggravation of homelessness. In conclusion, we encourage social welfare policy and policy makers to focus on street outreach.

Violence and victimisation in the lives of persons experiencing homelessness who use methamphetamine: A scoping review

“…Though 78.4% of unhoused youth who used MA in the past week and only 60.5% of unhoused youth not using MA in the past week reported experiences of physical violence and physical altercations in the previous week, the difference between these groups approached, but did not meet statistical significance ( p =0.055; Martin et al., 2006). Two studies identified an association between MA use among women and being the victim of physical assault at the hands of non‐intimate partners (Lorvick et al., 2014; Sadeghi et al., 2021). In one of these studies, women who were unhoused and living in Iran reported that pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of experiencing physical victimisation by strangers in public places (Sadeghi et al., 2021).…”

“…Two studies identified an association between MA use among women and being the victim of physical assault at the hands of non‐intimate partners (Lorvick et al., 2014; Sadeghi et al., 2021). In one of these studies, women who were unhoused and living in Iran reported that pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of experiencing physical victimisation by strangers in public places (Sadeghi et al., 2021). Another study identified that individuals who were using MA were at risk of being victimised by law enforcement officers (Friedman et al., 2021).…”

“…One study described the sexual abuse of women who were unhoused and using MA by police (Friedman et al., 2021). Another described how women living in Iran who were experiencing homelessness and using MA experienced sexual violence in public spaces, an experience that was identified to be especially common during pregnancy (Sadeghi et al., 2021). Semple et al.…”

“…This complex association found in the reviewed articles suggests that MA use can result in victimisation and that experiencing past trauma can lead to current MA use. In three of these studies, the effects of MA resulted in a vulnerable state in which participants were exploited and victimised (Bungay et al., 2006; Friedman et al., 2021; Sadeghi et al., 2021). Understanding this relationship is important given that persons who experience homelessness are at a greater risk for experiencing victimisation overall (Statistics Canada), and the findings of this review suggest that MA use may increase that risk.…”

“…One study described the sexual abuse of women who were unhoused and using MA by police (Friedman et al, 2021). Another described how women living in Iran who were experiencing homelessness and using MA experienced sexual violence in public spaces, an experience that was identified to be especially common during pregnancy (Sadeghi et al, 2021). Semple et al ( 2011) described how persons experiencing homelessness who traded sex for MA were forced or coerced into sex before the age of 18, an experience that continued into adulthood.…”