Health of Immigrant and Refugee Women

Abstract

Providers encounter increasingly diverse patient populations, as migration of people continues to increase worldwide. Health of migrant women is influenced by factors before migration as well as those affecting the migratory process and resettlement. Cultural factors influence patient beliefs and attitudes toward all facets of reproductive health including contraception. Providers may also encounter sequelae of traditional practices such as female genital cutting. Migrant women may be at a higher risk of violence both due to intimate partner violence and risks encountered during migration. They are also at risk for psychological sequelae resulting from stressors before and after displacement. Posttraumatic stress disorder prevalence is higher compared to local populations. Whereas migrants still carry a high burden of infectious disease, chronic health conditions are becoming increasingly common in many groups. Healthcare providers with an awareness of health issues faced by migrants can contribute to improving overall health of migrants and ease the process of resettlement for these people. This review contains 53 references, 1 figure, and 10 tables. Key Words: female genital cutting, immigrant, intestinal parasites, intimate partner violence, migration, nutrition, posttraumatic stress disorder, refugee, reproductive health, tuberculosis