Humanitarian Migrant Women's Experiences of Maternity Care in Nordic Countries: A Systematic Integrative Review of Qualitative Research

Abstract

Background Maternal morbidity and sub-optimal maternity care are more common in humanitarian migrants in comparison to country-born population in the Nordic countries. Statistical reviews on the issue are plenty, whereas little synthesis on humanitarian migrants’ lived experiences exists.

Aim This systematic integrative literature review investigated humanitarian migrant women's experiences on maternity care in Nordic countries, aiming to address possible hindrances for optimal care.

Methods Electronic search in PubMed, CINAHL, SocIndex, Scopus, PsycINFO and Web of Science yielded 474 papers. PICoS inclusion and exclusion criteria were used. Critical appraisal was conducted utilising 32-item COREQ tool. The findings of the review articles were synthesised through thematic analysis.

Findings Ten qualitative studies were included in the review. Altogether 198 women in Sweden, Norway and Finland had participated interviews or focus group discussions. Analysis of the women's reported experiences of care emerged three themes: Diminished negotiation power on care, Sense of insecurity, and Experienced care-related discrimination.

Key conclusion Humanitarian migrant women's maternal morbidity and sub-optimal care has multiple potential explanations, and their experiences of care reflect those earlier reported.

Implications for practice Recommendations for tackling the addressed hindrances are: (1) enabling humanitarian migrant women's negotiation power by acknowledging their vulnerability but also competency, (2) increasing the sense of security, and (3) improving care providers’ cultural competence.