Sexual health of female asylum-seeking teenagers: identifying knowledge gaps, tackling perceived barriers, and suggestions for intervention

Abstract

BackgroundAt a time of record global forced displacement, the health needs of migrant populations pose a challenge to our existing health-care systems. Unaccompanied refugee children have specific health-care needs, particularly in terms of sexual health education. Our study aimed to explore health literacy in asylum-seeking girls in the UK to help identify the specific health needs and barriers to care that exist for this population. MethodsOur team of doctors, who volunteer with asylum seeking children in London, conducted a series of educational sessions. This work draws material from the first of a series of ongoing sexual health workshops that explore the existing barriers to care, gaps in knowledge, and myths surrounding sexual health for these teenagers. Informed verbal consent was obtained and semi-structured interviews were carried out in an informal group setting to facilitate discussion. Field notes were taken throughout the session, which were later used for a thematic content analysis. The group consisted of seven girls (aged 13–19 years), who were predominantly from east Africa and the Middle East. FindingsThe domains that emerged from our analysis included puberty, female anatomy and female genital mutilation, pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, and relationships. Group discussion demonstrated vast gaps in knowledge of female anatomy, contraception, and sexually transmitted diseases, and, of particular importance, relationships and sexual consent. InterpretationMigrant teenage girls have huge gaps in knowledge about their health. Our study highlights the need for further research into the discrepancies between the health literacy of migrant and non-migrant children and targeted public health interventions for these teenagers. FundingNone.