Roma Women Research Articles

An observational study in Roma women in Greece: measuring health factors in an understudied group

Abstract Background The Roma have always been one of the most vulnerable and at the same time understudied minority groups in Europe, living under difficult conditions and experiencing discrimination. The aim of the present work was to summarize the health and lifestyle profile of Roma women living in various regions of Greece. Methods A multi-center, observational study was implemented in April-June 2022, in the context of a national program entitled “Empowering Young Roma Women in matters of health, prevention and human rights: a new methodological approach”. Roma women, living in 5 areas of Greece, and health professionals working with Roma groups were considered as eligible to participate. A two-step, methodological approach was followed: a. qualitative study with Focus Groups and b. questionnaire-based survey. Results In total, n = 41 participants in FGs, and n = 99 responders in survey were recorded. 40% of participants were smokers (>10-15 cigarettes/day). Main quitting reasons, were “to set a good example and cost’. Increased consumption of ultra-processed foods and beverages, low plant-based foods intake, frequent breakfast omission and eating-out were reported by the vast majority of participants. Only 15% of responders had undergone typical, gynecological, screening tests while 1 in 5 responders used contraception. Regarding vaccinations, even if about 8 in 10 women seemed to comply with the obligatory vaccines for their children, a high vaccination reluctancy in 70% of the study sample was recorded in case of vaccination in adulthood. Conclusions This study stands one of the very few that underscore the vulnerability of Roma women in terms of poor health literacy, unhealthy lifestyle behaviours and low motivation to typical preventive measures. Improving access to primary health care services and tailored, culturally sensitive training is crucial. Key messages • Social inclusion of the increasing population of Roma women is crucial. • Health promotion, taking into consideration Roma women’s special needs, shall be a decisive factor of this process.

Empowering Young Roma Women in matters of health and primary care: an innovative training program

Abstract Background Roma communities are rather diverse groups with different level of knowledge, beliefs and motivations in relation to their health. Raising awareness and self-efficacy of these individuals is a challenging field in the EU public health agenda. Objectives To address this challenge, the program entitled “Empowering Young Roma Women in matters of health, prevention and human rights: a new methodological approach” was developed with the aim to empower Roma women in terms of health and prevention topics pilot testing different educational methods. A two-step co-design approach was performed to determine the training content, tools, methods. The training was implemented in 5 areas throughout Greece (Volos, Chalkida, Thiva, Agia Varvara, Zefyri) in Jan-Oct 2023, including 3 phases: a. Train-the-trainers, b. Training the Roma women and c. Training evaluation. Results The educational material developed for health and prevention included 4 units (gynaecological health issues, vaccinations, smoking and nutrition). Each unit consisted of a theoretical background to develop the material, a presentation for future trainers, a presentation for trainees, a brochure, and a poster. For the training a new methodological approach was tested i.e. a health professional or Roma women (after being trained) to deliver the training. In total, 548 pre-post questionnaires were collected. Most trainees, understood the content of the training, acquired new knowledge and found the information interesting and possible to include in their daily life. 80% trainees expressed their satisfaction with the overall presentation. Regarding knowledge improvement based on the type of trainer only a slightly greater degree of improvement was observed for Roma trainers. Conclusions It is crucial to develop culturally appropriate health interventions by directly working with communities, to understand their particular needs, and to ensure they receive the information needed to make informed decisions. Key messages • Maintaining and promoting health is a decisive factor of social inclusion. • Tailor-made training of ethnic minorities shall be an integral part of the EU public health agenda.

Comparison of perinatal hospital services of women living in Roma settlements in Slovenia

Abstract Background Women living in Roma settlements in Slovenia had worse perinatal health indicators comparing with women from the rest of population. They gave more births in younger age and used fewer preventive services and later in pregnancy. Roma children had higher chances to be born earlier and with lower birth weight. We explored the differences in provided hospital services between pregnant Roma and the rest of female population in Slovenia. Methods We identified the female inhabitants of Roma settlements from the national registry of population and separated from the rest of the population data. Health indicators were provided from the national health register - Perinatal Information System for the years from 2018 to 2022. The frequency statistics, ANOVA and comparison of column proportion tests were used (p-value<0.005, 95% CI) to compare the differences in categories of services in those two groups. Results Statistically significant differences were found in several hospital services comparing treatments of pregnant females from Roma settlements comparing to the rest of female population. Women from Roma settlements had higher ratio of gynecologic history without remarks, fewer treatments and less prevention investigations in prenatal period and higher ratio of natural start of delivery. In addition, by Roma females was used less medication during delivery, less episiotomies and fewer caesarean section were performed. Conclusions There are significant differences in provision of hospital services between female inhabitants of Roma settlements and the rest of population. Some of them could be explained by younger average age of delivery in Roma, but additional research would bring more light in possible impact of socio-economic and cultural determinants on both the use and provision of health services. Key messages • There are differences in provided health services between Roma women and the rest of female population. In depth research of prenatal and hospital services would bring additional explanations. • Considering the health inequalities which start by birth, targeted and tailored actions to improve health of Roma women and their new-borns are appropriate and necessary.

Health services consumption and barriers in the health care of persons of Roma origin in Bulgaria

Abstract Introduction Persons of Roma origin often face serious inequities concerning their state of health and their access to good quality health services. The aim of the study is to analyze the health services consumption and barriers in the health care of persons of Roma origin in Bulgaria. Methods The cross-sectional study was conducted and a semi-structured face to face interview were applied in 2022. Adult citizens of Roma origin were covered as follows: residents of Knezha - a total of 59 people and households from the towns of Knezha and Kotel - 18 families (50 persons). The cities are representative of settlements of medium size with separate neighborhoods of Roma origin. Data processing was performed by SPSS v.24. Results Over two thirds of the covered persons of Roma origin do not have health insurance. In each household an average of 1.8 uninsured people was found, but in some of the families almost all of the elderly members are not insured. Due to lack of health insurance in 14% of the households were reported a refusal to provide health care by general practitioners (GPs) and specialists in out-hospital care. 82.1% of Roma women have never had a mammography and 71.4% a smear test. In 83.3% of the households required direct payment for the provision of health services, which corresponds to the high share of informal payments in health care in Bulgaria (34 % in 2023), but among the Roma population this share is significantly higher. The households have to pay for specialized out-hospital care (66.6%), GPs (22.2%), and for emergency assistance (5,6%). 44.4% of the families have used the services of emergency care in the last one year. While in one third of the families an adult member was hospitalized in 27.8% of them there is a need for hospital treatment, which is unrealized. Conclusions The Roma population in Bulgaria is characterized by an unfavorable health profile and the health services provided to the persons of Roma origin are inadequate to their needs. Key messages • Persons of Roma origin in Bulgaria often face serious inequities concerning their state of health and their access to good quality health services. • Improving the socioeconomic status of people of Roma origin will increase their opportunities for health insurance and going to improve their access to health services.

Echoes of the Past: The Vitellian Women in Tacitus’ Histories

This article argues that Tacitus’ characterizations of female members of the Vitellii evoke literary representations of several prominent Roman women of the late Republic and Julio-Claudian era. Tacitus draws upon a range of figures for his Vitellian women, from Fulvia to Livia, Antonia the Younger to Octavia. Literary resonances contribute to Tacitus’ representation of Vitellius as a bad emperor who nevertheless cared about his family. In rejecting or reflecting literary models, Tacitus uses Vitellius’ mother Sextilia, wife Galeria, and sister-in-law Triaria to create echoes and distinctions between past and present civil conflicts.

Coping with housing precarity: Roma women’s responses to housing insecurity in the Czech Republic

The article investigates how policies systematically exclude Roma women from accessing decent housing. Drawing upon ethnographic fieldwork with Roma women in Brno, Czech Republic, the study aims to expand the concept of housing precarity along two dimensions: ‘permanent temporality’ and ‘forced urban nomadism’. The research describes key actors and institutions, including the state and its policies, regional, city, and municipal regulations, the housing market, and the rise of private hostels driven by the ‘poverty business’. The study highlights how structural and local conditions shape the housing experiences of Roma families, emphasizing their active role in navigating precarious housing situations. It particularly focuses on the coping strategies of Roma women, such as reliance on multigenerational households and frequent relocations between various types of substandard housing. This research contributes to ongoing discussions about housing by offering a nuanced understanding of how systemic forces and individual strategies interact to produce and perpetuate housing precarity.

The road ahead: Improving smoking cessation outcomes for Roma women

The road ahead: Improving smoking cessation outcomes for Roma women

Jan Radicke, Roman Women’s Dress. Literary Sources, Terminology, and Historical Development. Berlin/Boston, De Gruyter 2022

Jan Radicke, Roman Women’s Dress. Literary Sources, Terminology, and Historical Development. Berlin/Boston, De Gruyter 2022

The experiences of older migrant mothers and grandmothers with intergenerational solidarity in their transnational families

AbstractThe role of grandparents in providing support to their migrant adult children is well researched within the intergenerational cross‐border solidarity literature. Studies highlight the gendered care roles assumed by ‘left behind’ grandparents, usually women, who provide hands‐on caregiving to their young grandchildren. However, there is limited research on the supportive economic roles of older migrant women who help ‘left behind’ families navigate economically unpredictable circumstances through remittance transfers. This article makes a contribution by exploring the economic roles of older mothers and grandmothers who participate in the international labour market as paid care workers to support their families ‘back home.’ It draws on ethnographic research with Romanian women in their late 50s and 60s in Italy. Insight is gained into the experiences with transnational care and mobility of older mothers and grandmothers. More specifically, how expectations and demands for intergenerational solidarity in their families conditions women's migration projects, including its temporalities and the distribution of economic risks and responsibilities within the transnational family.

Predictors of Pregnant Women's Decision to Opt for Cesarean Section in Romania.

In Romania, the latest official report indicates that more than half of the births (80,890 cases, representing 52.88% of the total) are performed by cesarean, a rate significantly higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation of 15-20%. This study aims to identify the predictors associated with women's decisions to opt for cesarean in Romania. An analytical cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the general population of Romania. The study was carried out over the course of 2023, with a total duration of four months. During this period, researchers targeted pregnant women from various regions of the country, regardless of their place of residence, age, or education level. The primary data collection tool was a self-administered online questionnaire, distributed via Google Forms, an accessible and efficient platform that allows for automatic response collection. The questionnaire was distributed online, particularly on social media platforms frequented by pregnant women, such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. A total of 1,301 participants were validated. Socio-demographic and clinical factors significantly influence women's decisions to give birth by cesarean.Among these participants, 435 expressed a preference for cesarean delivery. Key predictors include fear of pain and concern for the child's health. Fear of pain at birth is the first predictor in Romanian women to choose cesarean (OR=2.09; 95% CI: 1.62-2.68). Concerns about the child's health do not increase the likelihood of opting for a cesarean. By utilizing valuable resources such as midwives and implementing strategies like birth plans, significant contributions can be made toward reducing the cesarean rate and improving the childbirth experience for women worldwide.

Dual mastering and labour exploitation: Life and work stories of Romanian women in home care in Italy from Romania

The study analyses the dual nature of mastering in the specific context of home care with reference to Romanian women employed in Italian families through life stories collected in Italy and Romania. This duality stems from the overlap between personal and work time in the home environment. The surveillance of Romanian domestic workers by the employers are combined with prejudices and sometimes sexual urges, expressed through verbal and non-verbal language, to define a coercive and segregating way of life and work, with consequences for workers in terms of exploitation, mental health and dependence on the employers' needs, even to the extent of defining specific workers'transnational relationships with the family of origin and its social network. The processes of dehumanisation and exploitation will be analysed by interviewing women who have worked in care of Romanian nationalities and who have lived or still live in Italy. The analysis of the concept of dor, a Romanian word meaning the longing for what one has left behind and the yearning for what one will no longer find, leads to the formulation of a hypothesis while considering Romanian women employed in Italy in the ethnicized labour market: their being considered as less ‘immigrant'. In other words, as European care givers' flows are not well controlled, it creates more favorable conditions for irregular work. This is a condition of masking or hiding persistent conditions of marginality and subordination.

Roma Women's Role in the Health Preservation of Their Communities during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The scientific literature has evidenced the stereotypes that affect the Roma people, which are detrimental to their access to the health systems in various countries. With the COVID-19 pandemic, this situation has been aggravated by falsely blaming, on many occasions, the Roma people as spreaders of the virus for supposedly not complying with the norms established by the health authorities. However, it has not been explored in depth what actions have been carried out by the Roma people during the pandemic to cope with this aspect. The aim of this article is to learn about the leadership of Roma women in relation to maintaining the health of their community during the pandemic. The research has been conducted through focus groups and life stories with a total of 47 Roma women and 24 Roma men participants, as well as interviews with 40 professionals from education, social services, health services, and civic organizations. The results show how the reality of the studied contexts was different to those stereotypes, that the Roma women in the contexts studied have led actions that preserved the health of their communities, that the established measures were strictly followed, breaking with the extended stereotype about the Roma people.

Roma women serving community sentences in Italy: an analysis through the lens of Critical Criminology and Critical Romani Studies

ABSTRACT This article asserts that it can be analytically expedient to employ and combine aspects of Critical Criminology and Critical Romani Studies in research that analyses the relationship between Roma and the criminal justice system. The resulting approach focuses on criminalization and racialization processes and how they are intertwined, as well as on social construction of representations and on structural discrimination, which is analysed from an intersectional perspective. When applied to research into mothers serving community sentences in Italy, this analytical framework enabled us to highlight forms of discrimination that affect Roma women given non-custodial sentences and show how their relationship with the criminal justice system is influenced by the prevailing cultural constructs regarding gender and motherhood, as well as by racialization processes and class backgrounds.

From Scholarly to Social Emancipation: Reflections Regarding the Academic Peregrination of Romanian Women to Western Universities

This research article questions and analyzes the impact of academic peregrination to Western European Universities upon the career paths of Romanian women, in the last part of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century. It highlights various patterns regarding the ways the Romanian women who studied abroad subsequently chose to put into practice their hardearned knowledge. Based on a number of individual feminine biographies, it examines how these women forged careers in the Romanian educational and scientific world (with a particular interest on higher education institutions) or, as an alternative, how they became important figures in the charitable sector. For the most part, the Romanian female students trained in Western Europe between 1880 and 1945 had a significant contribution to the modernization of their country of origin. They equally influenced the gradual change of women’s social, economic and cultural status in Romania and in Europe, thus further bridging the gap between the eastern and the western states.

The experiences and outcomes of Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller pregnant people in pregnancy: A scoping review.

Within Europe, Roma, Gypsy, and Traveller groups have been marginalized and discriminated against by larger society. Persecution and displacement have resulted in high rates of unemployment, reduced access to education, and poorer health, with significantly increased risk of poverty compared with the general population. In pregnancy, there appears to be a gap in the literature surrounding the experiences and outcomes of pregnant people within these ethnic groups. The aim of this study was therefore to scope published research, specifically questioning "What is the experience of Roma Gypsy and Traveller pregnant people who access maternity care?" and "What are the obstetric outcomes within these groups?" This review followed frameworks proposed by Arksey and O'Malley, Levac, and the Joanna Brigg's Institute. The PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) tool was used. The search strategy and specific terms were chosen using the population-concepts-context framework. Titles and abstracts were reviewed independently by two reviewers. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were defined to set clear guidance for reviewers to identify appropriate studies. Five electronic databases were searched (CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE [OVID] Web of Science and SCOPUS). A charting form was developed to record key characteristics systematically and uniformly from the studies. Five themes were identified: systemic issues, antenatal care, complications of pregnancy, birth experience, and postnatal care. Systemic issues included racism, barriers to care, and adapted antenatal care. Antenatal issues included teenage pregnancy, smoking, risk of venous thrombus embolism, dietary issues, risk of communicable diseases, domestic violence, and mental health concerns. Increased risks of congenital abnormalities, growth restriction, premature labor, and perinatal and early childhood mortality were identified. For Roma women, negative birth experiences were reported, whereas the experiences of Traveller women varied. The findings identified in this study serve to create a framework upon which healthcare providers can tailor the way in which pregnant people from a Roma, Gypsy, or Irish Traveller background are cared for. Using such a framework would hopefully begin to reduce the systematic marginalization and discrimination of these minorities.

WOMEN's REPRESENTATION IN LOCAL POLITICS OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE: WOMEN MAYORS IN MODERN ROMANIA

The article attempts to analyze examples of women's representation in local Romanian politics and its role in the modern politics of the country. The author draws attention to the socio-demographic characteristics of female mayors of large Romanian cities in the last decade, and to the role of gender quotas in achieving gender equality in the political sphere of the country. The author uses printed publications, data from the websites of city halls, and official reports to analyze the social portraits of female mayors. The author comes to the conclusion that for more than a hundred years of the presence of Romanian women in local politics, their number in modern Romania is small compared to the European background. Female representation is gradually expanding, but it is difficult to conclude that there is a strong trend. The author reveals the image of a female mayor as a professional politician with a long political career, and a successful career and a high level of education preceding the entry into politics, a socially approved family model, and having support in the form of a party behind her. However, at the same time we note that the cases of female city mayors are an exception against the backdrop of extensive male representation.

Self-Censorship or Irony? The Rhetoric of Silence in Rosalía de Castro’s “Las literatas”

This article studies the textual strategies used by Rosalía de Castro in “Las literatas” to denounce the structural and epistemic violence suffered by women writers and to defend their right to participate in the public sphere through literary activity. The text appears in a peculiar context, a year after street demonstrations by seminarians prevented the publication of another article of hers in the same Almanaque para la Juventud Elegante. This article, addressing the general theme of the silencing imposed on women, exposes their reaction to any kind of pressure: to continue writing and publishing. The splitting of the narratorial voice to show an excinded, dialogic and even incoherent or contradictory authorial self continues a tradition initiated by Romantic women authors to generate fissures in a model of femininity disciplined within the limits of the space assigned to them.

Experiences of Alcohol Use and Harm among Travellers, Roma, and Gypsies: A Participatory Qualitative Study

Alcohol is widely used in many cultures as part of everyday life and for special occasions. It is a leading cause of preventable death in the UK, with higher rates among socioeconomically disadvantaged people. Gypsies and Travellers are ethnic and cultural minorities who experience extreme social disadvantage but there is a lack of knowledge about their alcohol use. The study aim was to explore experiences of alcohol use and harm in these distinct groups. Taking a participatory research approach, peer researchers conducted semistructured interviews (n = 26) to explore experiences of alcohol use and harm within the following four Gypsy/Traveller communities: Irish Travellers, Boaters, Gypsies, and Slovakian Roma. Vignettes were used as a basis for interview questions. Data were analysed thematically following the framework model. Alcohol consumption was found to be fundamental to celebration in all groups and integrated within social norms. Among Gypsies, Irish Travellers and Roma, drinking was associated with masculinity and despite an increase in alcohol use among women, female drinking remains highly socially regulated. Gypsies and Irish Travellers reported being illegally excluded from public drinking venues, while Slovakian Roma experienced less discrimination towards their ethnic group in the UK. Knowledge of the risks of alcohol dependence was high in all groups, but there was little awareness of the health impact of regular heavy drinking. Shame was a barrier to help-seeking for Gypsy, Roma, and Irish Traveller men and women, while Boaters’ nomadism reduced access to both primary care and alcohol treatment services. These distinct ethnic and cultural groups are aware of the health and social risks of alcohol use but experience barriers to accessing healthcare. Each community has different needs in relation to prevention of alcohol dependence, highlighting the need for targeted health promotion to accompany national strategies to reduce alcohol harm.

Diabetes Distress Among the Roma Population From a Tertiary Care Center in Romania.

Background Distress in patients with diabetes is a condition that has received significant attention in recent years; however, data regarding the psychological assessment and the impact of the emotional burden of diabetes among the Roma population are still scarce in the medical literature. Material and methods We conducted an observational, transversal study that included 310 adult patients with diabetes mellitus, aged between 18 and 85 years old, of which the majority (61%) were women; patients were selected from a tertiary hospital providing diabetes care; diabetes distress was evaluated using a standardized questionnaire, the diabetes distress scale (DDS), validated on Romanian patients. Results In the study population, a great proportion of patients showed diabetes distress, with 24.8% (N=82) having moderate distress and 29.7% (N=121) having severe distress. In the Caucasian group, there were significantly more patients without distress than in the Roma patients,while on the contrary, more Roma patients experienced severe distress compared to the opposite group (64.5%, N=78 versus 35.5%, N=43). In the Caucasian group, a statistical significance was observed regarding interpersonal distress, with Caucasian women having a higher score than men. Concerning the Roma patients, total DDS and all subscales´ scores were statistically significant, with Roma women having higher scores than men. A statistical significance was observed between ethnicity and diabetes distress scores, with the Roma population having higher median values than Caucasian patients. It was also demonstrated that the lack of education, a higher diabetes evolution, and a higher glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level (above 8%) have influenced the risk of severe DDS in the Caucasian group, while in the Roma patients, employment status (being unemployed) represents a risk factor for severe DDS. Conclusion The Roma patients included in our study experienced higher distress scores compared to Caucasians. These results are substantial as they emphasize the need to include the evaluation of diabetes distress in clinical practice to facilitate the early initiation of intervention measures. There is nevertheless limited data regarding this particular ethnic group; therefore, further research is still needed.

The Psychological Impact on Romanian Women Infected with SARS-CoV-2 during Pregnancy.

It is well-known that the uncertainty about the COVID-19 pandemic has an indirect negative impact on pregnant women's mental health, given the fact that pregnant women are more vulnerable emotionally and psychologically than non-pregnant women. The aim of this study was to evaluate the maternal psychological impact on Romanian women who were infected with SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy and their concerns and to determine which are the best measures to prevent negative outcomes. A 40-item questionnaire was created for data collection and was shared on social platforms (Facebook and Instagram) and also with obstetric communities between February 2021 and January 2023. Our cross-sectional survey recruited 317 Romanian pregnant women who suffered from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Among general questions about their life and pregnancy during the pandemic, the survey included questions about their SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy, their concerns and how they perceived this period in order to evaluate their emotional status. Of 317 women recruited, 91% of them had a mild to moderate form of COVID-19, and 2% had serious symptoms. Only 9% of women were hospitalized, 4% of women considered that the SARS-CoV-2 infection affected their physical condition to a great extent, and 8% considered to be affected in terms of mental state to a great extent. The main negative feelings of pregnant women during the COVID-19 disease were the fear regarding the possibility of affecting the pregnancy and the concern for their life (51.4%). These increase the risk of developing anxiety or depression. Pregnant women who contracted SARS-CoV-2 infection faced negative feelings, especially those with a severe form of the disease or who recovered with difficulty after the disease. Patients who required hospitalization reported an impairment of the mental state to a great extent and to a very great extent with a frequency of approximately two times and four times higher than non-hospitalized patients, respectively (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively). Also, giving birth during SARS-CoV-2 and the difficulty of accessing medical services represented a high level of stress. Also, 47% of patients who reported difficulty accessing medical services during the illness evaluated their mental state significantly less favorably. Preventive measures are essential to minimizing the negative psychological impact of COVID-19 disease during pregnancy among pregnant women. The medical treatment of COVID-19 disease during pregnancy should be prioritized, but emotional and mental health support must also be provided.