Abstract:The aim of this study was to give an account of the impact of international migration on the health of Brazilian women living in Melbourne, Australia. Based on a descriptive exploratory design, qualitative data was generated through participant observation, in-depth interviews and focus groups with 33 Brazilian women. Data analysis was done using QSR Nvivo. The main emerging themes were related to women's health problems, the lack of social support; and sociopolitical, sociocultural and socioeconomic barriers … Show more
“…Across many studies, participants voiced their difficulties in communicating with service providers due to lack of proficiency in English [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]. Fear of being judged, of not being understood, of losing their job, of being hospitalised and of community and family's reactions were major concerns [25].…”
Section: Findings Language and Communication Barriersmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…The most commonly cited barriers included lack of information and knowledge on available healthcare [14, 19-21, 26, 27], financial barriers and lack of private health insurance [14,17,21,28]; difficulty with transport [17][18][19][20], lack of free or low cost childcare [13,18,29] lengthy waiting lists and delays in accessing specialists [14,26]. Additional reported concerns included fear of consequences for the family and repercussions from the ethnic enclave, concern about deportation, fear of losing children, ignorance of legal rights and entitlement under Australian laws [17,24,27,[29][30][31].…”
Section: Logistical Barriersmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Participants viewed doctors as being ''inflexible and insensitive to their needs'' [14]. This barrier emerged from their ''need to be looked upon as a human being'' [14] especially in a moment of vulnerability and uncertainty when isolated from close family and community.…”
Section: Barriers Of Cultural Dissonance Between Participants and Sermentioning
confidence: 99%
“…This barrier emerged from their ''need to be looked upon as a human being'' [14] especially in a moment of vulnerability and uncertainty when isolated from close family and community. Some women reported that the medical practitioners ''did not really hear what was being said'' and rushed through the consultation, [15] thus preventing the development of trust and rapport between doctor and patient.…”
Section: Barriers Of Cultural Dissonance Between Participants and Sermentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Some Brazilian participants felt that medical practitioners in Australia lacked respect for alternative healthcare methods and popular health beliefs [14]. Although some mental health symptoms may be common across cultures, doctors need to be aware that explanatory models tend to be culture specific and embedded within the cultural assumptions and beliefs of the patient.…”
Section: Preference For Alternative Interventionsmentioning
Immigrant and refugee women from diverse ethnic backgrounds encounter multiple barriers in accessing mental healthcare in various settings. A systematic review on the prevalence of mental health disorders among culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) women in Australia documented the following barriers: logistical, language and communication, dissonance between participants and care providers and preference for alternative interventions. This article proposes recommendations for policies to better address the mental health needs of immigrant and refugee women. Key policy recommendations include: support for gender specific research, implementation and evaluation of transcultural policies, cultural responsiveness in service delivery, review of immigration and refugee claims policies and social integration of immigrants.
“…Across many studies, participants voiced their difficulties in communicating with service providers due to lack of proficiency in English [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]. Fear of being judged, of not being understood, of losing their job, of being hospitalised and of community and family's reactions were major concerns [25].…”
Section: Findings Language and Communication Barriersmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…The most commonly cited barriers included lack of information and knowledge on available healthcare [14, 19-21, 26, 27], financial barriers and lack of private health insurance [14,17,21,28]; difficulty with transport [17][18][19][20], lack of free or low cost childcare [13,18,29] lengthy waiting lists and delays in accessing specialists [14,26]. Additional reported concerns included fear of consequences for the family and repercussions from the ethnic enclave, concern about deportation, fear of losing children, ignorance of legal rights and entitlement under Australian laws [17,24,27,[29][30][31].…”
Section: Logistical Barriersmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Participants viewed doctors as being ''inflexible and insensitive to their needs'' [14]. This barrier emerged from their ''need to be looked upon as a human being'' [14] especially in a moment of vulnerability and uncertainty when isolated from close family and community.…”
Section: Barriers Of Cultural Dissonance Between Participants and Sermentioning
confidence: 99%
“…This barrier emerged from their ''need to be looked upon as a human being'' [14] especially in a moment of vulnerability and uncertainty when isolated from close family and community. Some women reported that the medical practitioners ''did not really hear what was being said'' and rushed through the consultation, [15] thus preventing the development of trust and rapport between doctor and patient.…”
Section: Barriers Of Cultural Dissonance Between Participants and Sermentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Some Brazilian participants felt that medical practitioners in Australia lacked respect for alternative healthcare methods and popular health beliefs [14]. Although some mental health symptoms may be common across cultures, doctors need to be aware that explanatory models tend to be culture specific and embedded within the cultural assumptions and beliefs of the patient.…”
Section: Preference For Alternative Interventionsmentioning
Immigrant and refugee women from diverse ethnic backgrounds encounter multiple barriers in accessing mental healthcare in various settings. A systematic review on the prevalence of mental health disorders among culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) women in Australia documented the following barriers: logistical, language and communication, dissonance between participants and care providers and preference for alternative interventions. This article proposes recommendations for policies to better address the mental health needs of immigrant and refugee women. Key policy recommendations include: support for gender specific research, implementation and evaluation of transcultural policies, cultural responsiveness in service delivery, review of immigration and refugee claims policies and social integration of immigrants.
The authors reviewed literature on the health of voluntary migrants to Western societies and factors affecting their health. Health indicators include mortality rates and life expectancy, birth outcomes, risk of illness, patterns of deteriorating health, cardiovascular disease, body mass index, hypertension, and depression. Multiple factors explain variability, including length of residence and acculturation, disease exposure, life style and living conditions, risky behaviors, healthy habits, social support networks, cultural and linguistic barriers, experiences with racism, and levels of awareness of cultural health practices among health care providers. Evidence exists for superior health among many migrants to Western countries relative to native-born persons, but the differential disappears over time. Migration is a dynamic, extended process with effects occurring years after physical relocation. Systemic change is required, including health policies that ensure equity for migrants, culturally appropriate health promotion, and routine assessment of migration history, cultural health practices, and disease exposure.
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