Experiences of providing sexual and reproductive healthcare that cannot be deferred – an interview study with healthcare providers
(2024) MPHN40 20241Social Medicine and Global Health
- Abstract
- Introduction: Despite Sweden’s commitment to ensure and achieve universal access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, in line with the United Nations’ goals for sustainable development, there is evidence of limited SRH access and outcomes among women with insecure migration status in Sweden. For asylum-seekers and undocumented migrants, access to subsidised SRH services is regulated through the law of treatment that cannot be deferred (SFS:2013:407). In order to better understand the access to SRH services among women living as undocumented migrants or asylum-seekers, the aim of this study was to explore healthcare providers’ experiences of providing SRH services that cannot be deferred to this group and their understanding of... (More)
- Introduction: Despite Sweden’s commitment to ensure and achieve universal access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, in line with the United Nations’ goals for sustainable development, there is evidence of limited SRH access and outcomes among women with insecure migration status in Sweden. For asylum-seekers and undocumented migrants, access to subsidised SRH services is regulated through the law of treatment that cannot be deferred (SFS:2013:407). In order to better understand the access to SRH services among women living as undocumented migrants or asylum-seekers, the aim of this study was to explore healthcare providers’ experiences of providing SRH services that cannot be deferred to this group and their understanding of the law (SFS:2013:407).
Methods: A qualitative approach was chosen using qualitative content analysis, as described by Graneheim and Lundman, to analyse the transcribed text from ten interviews with healthcare providers.
Findings: The findings of the study resulted in the overarching theme Willingness to help derived from four categories. Policies and guidelines related to experiences of assessing which SRH services should be provided and knowledge concerning policies and guidelines. Barriers to health care included experiences of patients avoiding and having difficulties accessing health care. Administrative process related to adapting the appointment and strategies when patients have no Swedish personal identity number. Intention to treat included efforts to provide equal treatment and never denying anyone health care.
Conclusion: The findings showed a large variation regarding level of knowledge and experience treating asylum-seekers and undocumented migrants but found common ground in the overall willingness to treat. Responses from informants working outside the public healthcare sector suggest, however, that limited knowledge among healthcare providers still cause undocumented migrants and asylum-seekers to be wrongfully denied health care. These findings illuminate the need for educational initiatives targeted towards healthcare as well as administrative personnel. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9164896
- author
- Hansson, Gabriella LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- MPHN40 20241
- year
- 2024
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- language
- English
- id
- 9164896
- date added to LUP
- 2025-09-17 19:16:23
- date last changed
- 2025-09-17 19:16:23
@misc{9164896,
abstract = {{Introduction: Despite Sweden’s commitment to ensure and achieve universal access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, in line with the United Nations’ goals for sustainable development, there is evidence of limited SRH access and outcomes among women with insecure migration status in Sweden. For asylum-seekers and undocumented migrants, access to subsidised SRH services is regulated through the law of treatment that cannot be deferred (SFS:2013:407). In order to better understand the access to SRH services among women living as undocumented migrants or asylum-seekers, the aim of this study was to explore healthcare providers’ experiences of providing SRH services that cannot be deferred to this group and their understanding of the law (SFS:2013:407).
Methods: A qualitative approach was chosen using qualitative content analysis, as described by Graneheim and Lundman, to analyse the transcribed text from ten interviews with healthcare providers.
Findings: The findings of the study resulted in the overarching theme Willingness to help derived from four categories. Policies and guidelines related to experiences of assessing which SRH services should be provided and knowledge concerning policies and guidelines. Barriers to health care included experiences of patients avoiding and having difficulties accessing health care. Administrative process related to adapting the appointment and strategies when patients have no Swedish personal identity number. Intention to treat included efforts to provide equal treatment and never denying anyone health care.
Conclusion: The findings showed a large variation regarding level of knowledge and experience treating asylum-seekers and undocumented migrants but found common ground in the overall willingness to treat. Responses from informants working outside the public healthcare sector suggest, however, that limited knowledge among healthcare providers still cause undocumented migrants and asylum-seekers to be wrongfully denied health care. These findings illuminate the need for educational initiatives targeted towards healthcare as well as administrative personnel.}},
author = {{Hansson, Gabriella}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Experiences of providing sexual and reproductive healthcare that cannot be deferred – an interview study with healthcare providers}},
year = {{2024}},
}