Renate Utne1, Chloe Lindsay Antrobus-Johannessen1, Vigdis Aasheim2, Katrine Aasekjær3, Eline Skirnisdottir Vik4. 1. Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, PO.box 7030, N-5020 Bergen, Norway. 2. Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, PO.box 7030, N-5020 Bergen, Norway. Electronic address: vigdis.aasheim@hvl.no. 3. Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, PO.box 7030, N-5020 Bergen, Norway. Electronic address: katrine.aasekjer@hvl.no. 4. Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, PO.box 7030, N-5020 Bergen, Norway; Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, PO.box 7804, N-5020 Bergen, Norway. Electronic address: eline.skirnisdottir.vik@hvl.no.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To explore Somali women's experiences of antenatal care in Norway. DESIGN: A qualitative study based on individual semi-structured interviews conducted either face-to-face or over the phone. SETTING: Norway. PARTICIPANTS: Eight Somali-born women living in Norway. KEY FINDINGS: Four themes were generated from the analysis. From their experiences of antenatal care in Norway, the Somali women described: 1) when care was provided in a way that gained their trust, they made better use of the available health services, 2) the importance of continuity of care and of sharing commonalities with the caregiver, 3) a need for accessible information, specifically tailored to the needs of Somali women and 4) how culturally insensitive caregivers had a negative impact on the quality of care. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The Somali women in this study were grateful for the care provided, although the quality of antenatal care did not always meet their needs. This study should serve as a reminder of the importance of establishing trust between the pregnant woman and the caregiver, strengthening interpretation services and assuring tailored information is available to Somali women at an early stage. The findings further suggest that antenatal care for Somali women may be improved by offering continuity of care and improving clinical and cultural skills in clinicians. Suggestions for practice, and future research, include initiating group antenatal care especially tailored to Somali women.
OBJECTIVE: To explore Somali women's experiences of antenatal care in Norway. DESIGN: A qualitative study based on individual semi-structured interviews conducted either face-to-face or over the phone. SETTING: Norway. PARTICIPANTS: Eight Somali-born women living in Norway. KEY FINDINGS: Four themes were generated from the analysis. From their experiences of antenatal care in Norway, the Somali women described: 1) when care was provided in a way that gained their trust, they made better use of the available health services, 2) the importance of continuity of care and of sharing commonalities with the caregiver, 3) a need for accessible information, specifically tailored to the needs of Somali women and 4) how culturally insensitive caregivers had a negative impact on the quality of care. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The Somali women in this study were grateful for the care provided, although the quality of antenatal care did not always meet their needs. This study should serve as a reminder of the importance of establishing trust between the pregnant woman and the caregiver, strengthening interpretation services and assuring tailored information is available to Somali women at an early stage. The findings further suggest that antenatal care for Somali women may be improved by offering continuity of care and improving clinical and cultural skills in clinicians. Suggestions for practice, and future research, include initiating group antenatal care especially tailored to Somali women.
Authors: Dung Ezekiel Jidong; Nusrat Husain; Christopher Francis; Maisha Murshed; Ayesha Roche; Tarela J Ike; Haruna Karick; Zubairu K Dagona; Juliet Y Pwajok; Pam P Nyam; Shadrack B Mwankon; Anil Gumber Journal: SAGE Open Med Date: 2021-04-09