accessing maternal and child health services in melbourne, australia reflections from refugee families and service providers访问孕产妇和儿童卫生服务在澳大利亚墨尔本反射从难民家庭和服务提供商.pdfVIP

Riggs et al. BMC Health Services Research 2012, 12:117 /1472-6963/12/117 RESEARCH ARTICLE Open Access Accessing maternal and child health services in Melbourne, Australia: Reflections from refugee families and service providers 1,2* 1 1 1 3 3 3 Elisha Riggs , Elise Davis , Lisa Gibbs , Karen Block , Jo Szwarc , Sue Casey , Philippa Duell-Piening and Elizabeth Waters1 Abstract Background: Often new arrivals from refugee backgrounds have experienced poor health and limited access to healthcare services. The maternal and child health (MCH) service in Victoria, Australia, is a joint local and state government operated, cost-free service available to all mothers of children aged 0–6 years. Although well-child healthcare visits are useful in identifying health issues early, there has been limited investigation in the use of these services for families from refugee backgrounds. This study aims to explore experiences of using MCH services, from the perspective of families from refugee backgrounds and service providers. Methods: We used a qualitative study design informed by the socioecological model of health and a cultural competence approach. Two geographical areas of Melbourne were selected to invite participants. Seven focus groups were conducted with 87 mothers from Karen, Iraqi, Assyrian Chaldean, Lebanese, South Sudanese and Bhutanese backgrounds, who had lived an average of 4.7 years in Australia (range one month-18 years). Participants had a total of 249 children, of these 150 were born in Australia. Four focus groups and five interviews were conducted with MCH nurses, other healthcare providers and bicultural workers. Results: Four themes were identified: facilitating access to MCH services;