Mirzaei Damabi Negin, Avery Jodie C, Begum Mumtaz, Meherali Salima, Lassi Zohra S
School of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia.
Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5006, Australia.
Int J Equity Health. 2025 Aug 28;24(1):228. doi: 10.1186/s12939-025-02614-z.
Sexual function is a fundamental aspect of sexual health, yet migrant and refugee women from Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) often face unique challenges in navigating intimacy and sexual function post-migration. While sociocultural norms, migration-related stressors, and healthcare access influence their experiences, yet these perspectives remain underexplored.
This qualitative exploratory study explored the perspectives and experiences of sexual function among first-generation migrant and refugee women from low- and middle-income countries residing in South Australia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 reproductive-aged cisgender heterosexual women from diverse cultural backgrounds, recruited through multiple culturally appropriate approaches including community organisations supporting migrant and refugee populations and online outreach via the purpose-built RISE website. Although multilingual support and professional interpreters were available, all participants opted to be interviewed in English. Interviews were conducted by a trained qualitative researcher with shared migrant background, and reflexive, inductive thematic analysis guided by social constructivist epistemology was used to identify key influences on sexual health and intimacy.
Participants reported that cultural norms, sociocultural expectations, and migration-related stressors shaped their sexual experiences. Many described difficulties in navigating cultural taboos, communication barriers, and limited access to culturally sensitive healthcare services. Conversely, while migration provided opportunities for increased sexual autonomy, self-discovery, and improved partner communication, deeply ingrained cultural beliefs and emotional struggles continued to impact their sexual well-being.
The findings highlight the need for culturally sensitive, gender-appropriate sexual health services and the removal of financial, linguistic, and systemic barriers to healthcare access. Healthcare providers, policymakers, and community organisations play a crucial role in fostering inclusive environments that support migrant and refugee women's sexual health and well-being.
性功能是性健康的一个基本方面，但来自低收入和中等收入国家（LMICs）的移民和难民妇女在移民后处理亲密关系和性功能方面往往面临独特的挑战。虽然社会文化规范、与移民相关的压力源和医疗保健的可及性会影响她们的经历，但这些观点仍未得到充分探讨。
这项定性探索性研究探讨了居住在南澳大利亚的来自低收入和中等收入国家的第一代移民和难民妇女对性功能的看法和经历。对20名来自不同文化背景的育龄顺性别异性恋妇女进行了半结构化访谈，通过多种文化适宜的方法招募，包括支持移民和难民群体的社区组织以及通过专门构建的RISE网站进行在线宣传。尽管提供了多语言支持和专业口译员，但所有参与者都选择用英语接受访谈。访谈由一名具有共同移民背景的经过培训的定性研究人员进行，并采用以社会建构主义认识论为指导的反思性、归纳性主题分析来确定对性健康和亲密关系的关键影响。
参与者报告说，文化规范、社会文化期望和与移民相关的压力源塑造了她们的性经历。许多人描述了在应对文化禁忌、沟通障碍以及获得文化敏感型医疗服务机会有限方面的困难。相反，虽然移民为增加性自主权、自我发现和改善伴侣沟通提供了机会，但根深蒂固的文化信仰和情感挣扎继续影响着她们的性健康。
研究结果强调了需要提供文化敏感、性别适宜的性健康服务，并消除获得医疗保健的经济、语言和系统性障碍。医疗保健提供者、政策制定者和社区组织在营造支持移民和难民妇女性健康和福祉的包容性环境方面发挥着关键作用。
