FAMILY PLANNING AND THE AFGHAN COMMUNITY IN AUSTRALIA: NEW OPPORTUNITIES, NEW CHALLENGES
Alana Russo, Stanley Luchters, Belinda Lewis, Razia Ali and Atiq Abed
Burnet Institute, Australia
Monash Univeristy, Australia
Community Researcher, Australia
: Int J Ment Health Psychiatry
Abstract
Statement of the Problem: Afghanistan has been a leading country of origin for refugees arriving in Australia, and this community are recognised as having unmet family planning needs. Understanding the issues of individual migrant populations appropriate, evidence-informed strategies. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the family planning experiences, practices, and outcomes of Afghan women and men in Australia, and describe the sociocultural context surrounding family planning in this community. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: In alignment with community-based participatory research principles, bicultural researchers were employed, and contributed to each stage of this research. A total of 58 Afghan women and men participated in focus groups and interviews. A thematic analysis framework guided data analysis. This study drew on Intersectionality, the Socioecological Model of Health, and Cultural Studies. These theoretical and Cultural Studies provided a framework to identify family planning concerns and influences, and furthermore, to consider how these change and evolve in new cultural contexts, and impact the health and wellbeing women, men, families, and communities. Findings: Participants experienced a range of family planning challenges, including: unintended pregnancy, difficulty negotiating contraception use, and a lack of opportunity to voice sexual health needs. Living in Australia presented valuable family planning opportunities for women, such as increased access to modern contraception. However, broadly held liberal societal views within Australia created new tensions within marital relationships. This study highlights how the impact of migration on family planning can be double-edged. Whilst many aspects of health improve; new issues simultaneously emerge. Shifting social and cultural environments impact even the most private and intimate spaces. Findings offer valuable learning’s for conducting sensitive, cross-cultural research; demonstrate the importance of meaningful, interdisciplinary collaboration between academia, health, and marginalised communities; and provide practice recommendations to address the family planning needs of migrant communities.
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