Antenatal care for immigrant women in Türkiye: A qualitative study examining their experiences
Introduction and Purpose: The number of immigrant women in Türkiye has increased alongside the country’s recent growth in immigration. This study was designed to assess the experiences of immigrant women who are pregnant or have recently given birth and who have received antenatal care in the last six months..
Method: In October 2023, 11 Syrian women aged 18 to 45 were interviewed face-to-face in Arabic at a Migrant Health Center. The interviews were guided by a semi-structured questionnaire focusing on the care the women received.
Findings: Two main themes emerged from the content analysis: (1) Accessibility of Healthcare and (2) Continuity of Healthcare. Almost all participants reported easy access to healthcare centers. However, a significant number of women faced communication difficulties due to language barriers. In addition to being relieved of the financial burden of care, some participants reported positive experiences, describing the staff as kind and tolerant.
Discussion: Syrian women reported satisfaction with the antenatal care they received, although language barriers emerged as the primary challenge. This finding highlights the importance of overcoming language barriers in healthcare services provided to immigrant women.
Conclusion: Translation services should be provided to ensure continuity of care. Nurses should be equipped with strategies to overcome language barriers, including culturally tailored health education.
Key Words: Antenatal care, immigrants, qualitative study.
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