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BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 1/2014

Open Access 01-12-2014 | Research article

Immigrant and non-immigrant women’s experiences of maternity care: a systematic and comparative review of studies in five countries

Authors: Rhonda Small, Carolyn Roth, Manjri Raval, Touran Shafiei, Dineke Korfker, Maureen Heaman, Christine McCourt, Anita Gagnon

Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth | Issue 1/2014

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Abstract

Background

Understanding immigrant women’s experiences of maternity care is critical if receiving country care systems are to respond appropriately to increasing global migration. This systematic review aimed to compare what we know about immigrant and non-immigrant women’s experiences of maternity care.

Methods

Medline, CINAHL, Health Star, Embase and PsychInfo were searched for the period 1989–2012. First, we retrieved population-based studies of women’s experiences of maternity care (n = 12). For countries with identified population studies, studies focused specifically on immigrant women’s experiences of care were also retrieved (n = 22). For all included studies, we extracted available data on experiences of care and undertook a descriptive comparison.

Results

What immigrant and non-immigrant women want from maternity care proved similar: safe, high quality, attentive and individualised care, with adequate information and support. Immigrant women were less positive about their care than non-immigrant women. Communication problems and lack of familiarity with care systems impacted negatively on immigrant women’s experiences, as did perceptions of discrimination and care which was not kind or respectful.

Conclusion

Few differences were found in what immigrant and non-immigrant women want from maternity care. The challenge for health systems is to address the barriers immigrant women face by improving communication, increasing women’s understanding of care provision and reducing discrimination.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Immigrant and non-immigrant women’s experiences of maternity care: a systematic and comparative review of studies in five countries
Authors
Rhonda Small
Carolyn Roth
Manjri Raval
Touran Shafiei
Dineke Korfker
Maureen Heaman
Christine McCourt
Anita Gagnon
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2393
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2393-14-152

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