Title:
Sexual and Reproductive Health for Undocumented Women in the Netherlands: An Exploration of Knowledge, Needs, Barriers, and Wishes Regarding SRH and the Perceived Quality of Primary SRH-Care
Authors:
Baltes, Irma
Place:
Amsterdam
Publisher:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute [etc.]
Year:
2017
PAGE:
vii, 53
Language:
En
Subject:
Health and Poverty
Keywords:
Undocumented women, Sexual and reproductive health, General Practitioner, Perceived quality of care, the Netherlands
Abstract:
Background: Undocumented women (UW) are one of the most excluded and vulnerable groups in Dutch society, with a high prevalence of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) problems. In the Netherlands the general practitioner (GP) plays an important role in providing SRH care. However, there are barriers for UW to access a GP. This study explored how UW perceive the quality of care by looking at their needs, wishes, barriers, and expectations. It also includes the views of experienced health care providers (HCP). Methods: A qualitative study was performed involving 12 UW and 8 HCP in the Amsterdam area. Semi-structured in-depth interviews based on an analytical framework were held. Results: UW considered SRH-problems, in particular contraceptives, as a health care need, but experienced barriers to access a GP, including knowledge, finances, and entitlement as a result of being undocumented. Strikingly, the SRH services provided by GPs were rated positively, marked by communication skills, shared-decision making, and empathy. UW and HCP both recognized contraceptives should be discussed more easily. Discussion: Although SRH-problems were common among UW, barriers to access and obtain health care still existed. Financial restraints and lack of knowledge about entitlements and health all played an important role. In addition, GPs had little knowledge of national policies regarding health care for UW and didn’t actively engage to discuss SRH-problems. Conclusion: GPs should more actively discuss SRH-problems with UW, and the government should consider contraceptives as a basic need and make them more accessible for this vulnerable group.
Organization:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute
,
VU - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Institute:
KIT (Royal Tropical Institute)
Country:
The Netherlands
Region:
Northwest Europe
Training:
Master of International Health
Category:
Research
Right:
@ 2017 Baltes
Document type:
Thesis/dissertation
File:
a4ZV0qmCQ0_20180412155403809.pdf