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Reproductive Health
Published in: Reproductive Health 1/2021

Open Access 01-12-2021 | COVID-19 | Research

“COVID affected us all:” the birth and postnatal health experiences of resettled Syrian refugee women during COVID-19 in Canada

Authors: Emma Stirling Cameron, Howard Ramos, Megan Aston, Marwa Kuri, Lois Jackson

Published in: Reproductive Health | Issue 1/2021

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Abstract

Background

Prior to COVID-19, postnatal resettled refugee women in Canada reported barriers to healthcare and low levels of social support, contributing to maternal health morbidities. The COVID-19 pandemic appears to be further exacerbating health inequities for marginalized populations. The experiences of resettled refugee women are not fully known.

Aim

To understand Syrian refugee women’s experiences accessing postnatal healthcare services and supports during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Semi-structured, virtual interviews were conducted with eight resettled Syrian refugee women living in Nova Scotia (Canada) who were postnatal between March and August 2020. Data analysis was informed by constructivist grounded theory.

Findings

Three themes emerged: “the impacts of COVID-19 on postnatal healthcare;” “loss of informal support;” and “grief and anxiety.” Women experienced difficult healthcare interactions, including socially and physically isolated deliveries, challenges accessing in-person interpreters, and cancelled or unavailable in-home services (e.g., public health nurse and doula visits). Increased childcare responsibilities and limited informal supports due to pandemic restrictions left women feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. Stay-at-home orders resulted in some women reporting feelings of isolation and loss, as they were unable to share in person postnatal moments with friends and family, ultimately impacting their mental wellness.

Conclusions

COVID-19 and associated public health restrictions had significant impacts on postnatal Syrian refugee women. Data presented in this study demonstrated the ways in which the pandemic environment and related restrictions amplified pre-existing barriers to care and postnatal health inequalities for resettled refugee women—particularly a lack of postnatal informal supports and systemic barriers to care.
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Metadata
Title
“COVID affected us all:” the birth and postnatal health experiences of resettled Syrian refugee women during COVID-19 in Canada
Authors
Emma Stirling Cameron
Howard Ramos
Megan Aston
Marwa Kuri
Lois Jackson
Publication date
01-12-2021
Publisher
BioMed Central
Keyword
COVID-19
Published in
Reproductive Health / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1742-4755
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-021-01309-2

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