Abstract
BackgroundImmigration, particularly when it is involuntary, is known to be an emotional stressor, regardless of the reason behind it. It is always a challenge to be removed from the habitual and cultural action pattern of the person or family. This can make children more vulnerable, because they often arrive with an increased risk of poor physical health. Because of that, it is crucial that immigrant children have access to ongoing health care. The aim of this study is to shed light on the experience of non-European immigrants with Sweden’s Child Health Care system.MethodsQualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted, with parents of children who were patients of one of the four child health care centres. The centres were in four areas in a town in southern Sweden in which there are substantial immigrant populations. The interviews were conducted, transcribed and then analyzed with content analysis.ResultsThe results were divided into two main categories: The first is “the sense of being cared for in another way,” which was divided into the following four subcategories: compare with the home country, getting a home visit, engagement and contentment and unfamiliarity with the language. The second main category. “The feeling of getting all the practical needs met through the child health care system” had the following four subcategories: The importance of advice and guidance, getting oral and written information, getting help when needed and getting support when needed.ConclusionsThe parents expressed contentment regarding the Swedish child health care and they were thankful for how it was organized, the engagement of the nurses, the information and advices given as well as for the opportunities of getting a home visit after birth. However, more research is needed in order to find out the extent to which the Swedish child health care system is culturally appropriate in the whole country.
Highlights
Immigration, when it is involuntary, is known to be an emotional stressor, regardless of the reason behind it
Since many immigrant children have been raised in societies where living conditions and child health care programmes differ considerably from those in Europe, these differences should be addressed in a structured way through the child health care program as soon as the children arrive in a new country [8]
After analysis, the results were divided into two categories: 1) The sense of being cared for in another way and 2) The feeling that all the practical needs were met through the child health care system
Summary
Immigration, when it is involuntary, is known to be an emotional stressor, regardless of the reason behind it. It is always a challenge to be removed from the habitual and cultural action pattern of the person or family This can make children more vulnerable, because they often arrive with an increased risk of poor physical health. The aim of this study is to shed light on the experience of non-European immigrants with Sweden’s Child Health Care system Immigration, when it is involuntary, is known to be an emotional stressor [1]. Learning a new culture and language patterns is gradual, and throughout process, Mangrio and Persson BMC Family Practice (2017) 18:32 recent immigrants can experience significant stress, both physically and mentally [1, 6]. According to studies by Hjern et al [8] and Schiariti [7], immigrant children need special attention since they have an increased likelihood of suffering from poor physical health. Since many immigrant children have been raised in societies where living conditions and child health care programmes differ considerably from those in Europe, these differences should be addressed in a structured way through the child health care program as soon as the children arrive in a new country [8]
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