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Published on: January 12, 2018
Exploring Somali-born women's experiences with contraceptive services in Sweden through a reproductive justice lens
Anna Wängborg1, Marie Klingberg-Allvin2, Sahra Saidarab3
1PhD student, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Timely and equitable access to contraceptive services is a key component of sexual and reproductive health and rights. Evidence shows that immigrant women in high-income countries often receive inadequate contraceptive counselling. There is also limited knowledge about how contraceptive services can best be organised within health systems to meet their needs. In Sweden, the Somali population is one of the country's largest immigrant groups, facing a higher risk of adverse pregnancy and childbirth outcomes compared to Swedish-born women. This study aimed to gain a deeper understanding of Somali-born women's perceptions of and experiences with contraceptive services in Sweden. Eight focus group discussions were conducted, with a Somali-speaking moderator, and data were analysed using Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic approach. All participants (N = 60) were Somali immigrants who had given birth in Sweden. Two main themes were constructed: (1) Factors shaping reproductive choices: community, household, and partner influences, and (2) Women's perspectives on contraceptive services. The findings suggest opportunities to advance reproductive justice in contraceptive services in Sweden. Incorporating women's preferences and needs is essential to establishing person-centred contraceptive services, aligning with Sweden's health system priorities. Services must adapt to and reflect clients' experiences to avoid being shaped by preconceived notions and intersecting power dynamics. Our findings have implications for moving towards reproductive justice in the delivery of sexual and reproductive health services.
Timely and equitable access to contraceptive services is a key component of sexual and reproductive health and rights. Evidence shows that immigrant women in high-income countries often receive inadequate contraceptive counselling. There is also limited knowledge about how contraceptive services can best be organised within health systems to meet their needs. In Sweden, the Somali population is one of the country's largest immigrant groups, facing a higher risk of adverse pregnancy and childbirth outcomes compared to Swedish-born women. This study aimed to gain a deeper understanding of Somali-born women's perceptions of and experiences with contraceptive services in Sweden. Eight focus group discussions were conducted, with a Somali-speaking moderator, and data were analysed using Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic approach. All participants (N = 60) were Somali immigrants who had given birth in Sweden. Two main themes were constructed: (1) Factors shaping reproductive choices: community, household, and partner influences, and (2) Women's perspectives on contraceptive services. The findings suggest opportunities to advance reproductive justice in contraceptive services in Sweden. Incorporating women's preferences and needs is essential to establishing person-centred contraceptive services, aligning with Sweden's health system priorities. Services must adapt to and reflect clients' experiences to avoid being shaped by preconceived notions and intersecting power dynamics. Our findings have implications for moving towards reproductive justice in the delivery of sexual and reproductive health services.
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