Affiliation:
1. Child, Youth & Family Services, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District
2. Maternal and Child Health, Burnet Institute
3. Discipline of Women’s Health, School of Clinical Medicine, University of NSW (UNSW)
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Migrant and refugee backgrounds women living in high-income countries have increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes and report lower satisfaction with care. In Sydney, Australia, a new service known as the Cross Cultural Workers (CCWs) in Maternity and Child and Family Health Service (the CCW Service) was implemented to support such women and families from pregnancy to the early parenting period. This study aimed to ascertain the experiences of women and their partners engaging with the CCW Service.
Methods
A survey study was undertaken. Women accessing the CCW Service were recruited during pregnancy and were asked to complete surveys at three time points: in the third trimester of pregnancy, at 6 and 12 months postpartum. Their partners were invited at 6 months postpartum. Survey data were analysed to compare satisfaction, usefulness, number of CCW interactions, cultural sensitivity, and service improvement recommendations across all timepoints.
Results
A total of 231 surveys were received: 113 during pregnancy, 50 at 6-months postpartum, 44 at 12-months postpartum, and 24 partner surveys. Participants in all surveys reported the CCW Service to be useful (84–94%), stating that it increased their understanding of pregnancy, birth and parenting (95–100%), and that they would recommend the CCW Service (92–98%). Participants experienced a high level of satisfaction (88–95%) irrespective of the number of CCW interactions (p = 0.42). Thoughts on becoming a mother or parent were more positive after meeting the CCW than before for both women (p = 0.01) and partners. Suggestions for CCW Service improvement were to were 1) increase the provision of information, specifically financial entitlements, postnatal depression, and support services, 2) increase involvement of partners in care, 3) the CCW workforce.
Conclusion
The CCW Service was associated with positive experiences and high rates of satisfaction at all timepoints. This service has the potential to inform the implementation of similar models of care that improve accessibility, the perinatal experience, and respond to the unique needs of women and families from migrant and refugee backgrounds.
Publisher
Research Square Platform LLC
Reference84 articles.
1. International Organization for Migration (IOM). World Migration Report 2022. Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization for Migration (IOM); 2021.
2. United Nations Children's Fund. UNICEF Data: Monitoring the situation of children and women. 2021 [cited 2023 03 February]; Available from: https://data.unicef.org/topic/child-migration-and-displacement/migration/.
3. World Health Organization. World report on the health of refugees and migrants. World Health Organization: Geneva; 2022.
4. Migration and perinatal mental health in women from low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis;Fellmeth G;BJOG,2017
5. Prevalence and risk of mental disorders in the perinatal period among migrant women: a systematic review and meta-analysis;Anderson FM;Arch Women Ment Health,2017