Published in:

29-03-2023 | Care | Review Paper

Maternal Health Experiences and Health Care Utilization of African Immigrant Women: A Review of The Literature

Author: Ehiremen Adesua Azugbene

Published in: Maternal and Child Health Journal | Issue 8/2023

Abstract

Introduction

This systematic review summarizes the maternal health experiences and healthcare utilization of African immigrant women who have immigrated to the United States using an adapted version of the healthcare utilization model.

Methods

Published journal articles from the year 2000 to 2022 were identified from seven large databases; 13 studies satisfied the inclusion criteria.

Results

The results of the study are reported according to the individual and contextual factors for healthcare utilization for African immigrant women in the United States. Individual factors that facilitated the use of maternal healthcare were having transportation, higher health literacy levels, insurance, and family support. Contextual factors that facilitated maternal health utilization included access to interpreters and female doctors.

Discussion

Facilitators and barriers to maternal health utilization were impacted by cultural and environmental factors. First, African immigrant women included in the studies, believe pregnancy and childbirth are safe and normal, therefore prenatal care is unnecessary. Second, the fear of obstetrical interventions, especially from women who have had female genital mutilation. Third, the misconceptions regarding pain medications and the roles of hospital staff. Further research is necessary for addressing the facilitators and barriers to healthcare utilization in African immigrant women.

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Title: Maternal Health Experiences and Health Care Utilization of African Immigrant Women: A Review of The Literature
Author: Ehiremen Adesua Azugbene
Publication date: 29-03-2023
Publisher: Springer US
Keywords: Care
Prenatal Care
Published in: Maternal and Child Health Journal / Issue 8/2023
Print ISSN: 1092-7875
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6628
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-023-03644-1

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Maternal Health Experiences and Health Care Utilization of African Immigrant Women: A Review of The Literature

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Discussion

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