Understanding Access to Postnatal Healthcare Services and Supports for Resettled Syrian Refugee Women in Nova Scotia: Barriers, Facilitators, and Need for Services

Year of Publication: 2021

Author: Emma Stirling Cameron

Publication Source: Dalhousie University

Journal Volume/Issue: MA thesis

Category: , ,

DOI: https://dalspace.library.dal.ca/items/58cf20a0-fdfe-4166-b25d-2737bec12f16

Language: English

Keywords: Refugees, Postnatal, Healthcare, Access, Social support

This manuscript-based thesis explores access to healthcare and the availability and use of informal supports for resettled Syrian refugee women during the postnatal period. This thesis took a qualitative approach, using elements of constructivist grounded theory. Eleven women completed individual interviews during the months of August and September 2020 in an urban area in Nova Scotia. Pre-pandemic experiences are reported in Manuscript 1; COVID-19 experiences are reported in Manuscript 2. All participants had been separated from their extended family and felt their absence of support during the postpartum period. Some women had developed a new social network, while others had only their partner to offer support in Canada. Similar systemic barriers existed for participants before and during COVID-19, including irregular access to interpretation services and limited childcare. Policy change, program development, and/or interventions are needed to improve access to postnatal services and supports for resettled Syrian women.