Co-designing a Physical Activity Service for Refugees and Asylum Seekers Using an Experience-Based Co-design...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Community Health
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Refugees and asylum seekers resettling in Australia face significant mental and physical health risks.
• Physical activity is beneficial for health, but tailored programs for this population are scarce.
• Understanding engagement barriers and enablers is vital for developing effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the application of the experience-based co-design (EBCD) process.
• To identify priorities for a new physical activity service for refugees and asylum seekers.
• To inform the development of culturally safe and accessible health promotion programs.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative interviews and co-design workshops were conducted over 12 months.
• The study involved 16 participants: 8 service users (refugees/asylum seekers) and 8 service providers.
• An EBCD framework guided the identification of barriers, enablers, and priorities.

Main Results:

• Key themes included access, safety, and competing stressors as barriers and enablers.
• Five fundamental priorities were established: cultural/psychological safety, accessibility, basic needs support, physical activity literacy, and social connection.
• Actionable strategies were co-designed based on lived experiences.

Conclusions:

• EBCD effectively integrated service user and provider insights to co-design a physical activity service.
• The co-designed service aims to be safe, supportive, social, and accessible for refugees and asylum seekers.
• Implementation and evaluation of the program are currently underway.