Women from migrant and refugee backgrounds' perceptions and experiences of the continuum of maternity care in Australia: A qualitative evidence synthesis

Abstract

Background: Women who were born overseas represent an increasing proportion of women giving birth in the Australian healthcare system.

Problem: Women from migrant and refugee backgrounds have an increased risk of poor pregnancy and birth outcomes, including experiences of care.

Aim: To understand how women from migrant and refugee backgrounds perceive and experience the continuum of maternity care (pregnancy, birth, postnatal) in Australia.

Methodology: We conducted a qualitative evidence synthesis, searching MEDLINE, CIHAHL, and PsycInfo for studies published from inception to 23/05/2020. We included studies that used qualitative methods for data collection and analysis, that explored migrant/refugee women's experiences or perceptions of maternity care in Australia. We used a thematic synthesis approach, assessed the methodological limitations of included studies, and used GRADE-CERQual to assess confidence in qualitative review findings.

Results: 27 studies met the inclusion criteria, representing women in Australia from 42 countries. Key themes were developed into 24 findings, including access to interpreters, structural barriers to service utilisation, experiences with health workers, trust in healthcare, experiences of discrimination, preferences for care, and conflicts between traditional cultural expectations and the Australian medical system.

Conclusion: This review can help policy makers and organisations who provide care to women from migrant and refugee backgrounds to improve their experiences with maternity care. It highlights factors linked to negative experiences of care as well as factors associated with more positive experiences to identify potential changes to practices and policies that would be well received by this population.

Keywords: Australia; Cultural competency; Maternal health services; Pregnancy; Refugees; Respectful maternity care; Transients and migrants; Woman-centred care.