Women’s Health

Abstract

Health of refugee women encompasses a range of health conditions across their reproductive health and includes obstetrics and gynecological health as well as general preventive and psychosocial health. For refugee women, cultural and/or religious beliefs around sexual behavior, prenatal care, breastfeeding, cancer screening, contraception, intimate partner violence, and such traditional practices as female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) may influence decisions that they make regarding their healthcare. Moreover, low socioeconomic status, malnutrition, infectious diseases, and poor social support may have a deleterious impact on their reproductive and overall health. Intimate partner violence (IPV) is also a concern in refugee women. Refugee women are a vulnerable population for whom culturally informed care and a trusting patient-provider relationship can promote health and wellness. Healthcare providers should be prepared to address unique challenges in caring for women refugees. This chapter reviews general health, mental health, reproductive health, breastfeeding, family planning, and IPV in refugee women. FGM/C and its management in refugee women is also discussed.