A Qualitative Exploration of Somali Refugee Women's Experiences with Family Planning in the U.S.

Abstract

The purpose of our study was to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and experiences of Somali refugee women with family planning in the U.S. We conducted focus groups of Somali refugee women and used grounded theory methodology to identify emergent themes. Fifty-three women, aged 18-49years, participated. Somali refugee women's cultural and religious beliefs and social identities strongly influence their conceptualization of family planning. Participants agreed that a woman's fertility is ultimately decided by Allah and identified environmental changes after immigration and the desire to optimize maternal health as facilitators to modern contraceptive use. Misconceptions about and fear of side effects of modern contraceptive methods, including a fear of infertility, were identified as barriers to use. To deliver patient-centered family planning counseling to Somali refugee women, it is essential that healthcare providers approach these discussions with cultural humility and consider employing community partners or cultural brokers to help provide family planning education.