Description
Abstract
Background: Refugee women have worse health outcomes compared to the host population. This study aimed to find out how Health Care Providers (HCPs) in Asayta refugee camp, in Afar region, North East of Ethiopia, experience and perceive the Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) needs of Eritrean refugee women.
Method: We used a qualitative, exploratory design with the Key Informant Research (KIR) approach. We conducted in-depth interviews with HCPs in the Asayta refugee camp and nearby district hospital. The interviews were recorded, transcribed professionally, and analyzed thematically through the lens of a socio-ecological model (SEM).
Results: Complex multi-structural factors are reported to improve SRH needs of Eritrean refugee women. High turnover and shortage of HCPs, restrictive laws, language issues, cultural inconsistencies, and gender inequalities were among the main barriers reported. The refugee women SRH needs were found to be hindered at multiple SEM levels. There is a need at the individual and interpersonal levels to overcome sociocultural barriers, and improve communication. Collaboration between the regional health system and the Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS) work structure needs to be enhanced to address the unique SRH needs of refugee women through an integrated, cross-system approach. Local humanitarian policies are expected to focus on community integration, resilience, livelihoods, access to health services, and health care.
Conclusion: SRH service needs of Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia remain severely limited due to multiple complex challenges. These challenges cut across the socio-ecological realm, from the individual to international policy implications. The overlap in findings underscores the importance of developing multilateral interventions across SEM. A bilateral collaboration between RRS service structures and Asayta district healthcare system is critical. The need for developing culturally appropriate and effective interventions is reported. Multiple and multidimensional interventions are needed. Therefore, effective refugee policies that equally address the needs of host communities are needed more than ever.
Keywords: Sexual and reproductive health, humanitarian crises, refugees, Eritrea, Ethiopia, health care providers, key informant research, socio-ecological framework
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