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Migrant Sexual Health Help-Seeking and Experiences of Stigmatization and Discrimination in Perth, Western Australia: Exploring Barriers and Enablers

Author

Listed:
  • Josephine Agu

    (School of Public Health, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia)

  • Roanna Lobo

    (Collaboration for Evidence, Research and Impact in Public Health, School of Public Health, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia)

  • Gemma Crawford

    (Collaboration for Evidence, Research and Impact in Public Health, School of Public Health, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia)

  • Bethwyn Chigwada

    (HepatitisWA (Inc.), 134 Aberdeen Street, Northbridge, Western Australia 6003, Australia)

Abstract

Increasing HIV notifications amongst migrant and mobile populations to Australia is a significant public health issue. Generalizations about migrant health needs and delayed or deterred help-seeking behaviors can result from disregarding the variation between and within cultures including factors, such as drivers for migration and country of birth. This study explored barriers and enablers to accessing sexual health services, including experiences of stigma and discrimination, within a purposive sample of sub-Saharan African, Southeast Asian, and East Asian migrants. A qualitative design was employed using key informant interviews and focus group discussions. A total of 45 people with ages ranging from 18 to 50 years, participated in focus group discussions. Common barriers and enablers to help seeking behaviors were sociocultural and religious influence, financial constraints, and knowledge dissemination to reduce stigma. Additionally, common experiences of stigma and discrimination were related to employment and the social and self-isolation of people living with HIV. Overcoming barriers to accessing sexual health services, imparting sexual health knowledge, recognizing variations within cultures, and a reduction in stigma and discrimination will simultaneously accelerate help-seeking and result in better sexual health outcomes in migrant populations.

Suggested Citation

  • Josephine Agu & Roanna Lobo & Gemma Crawford & Bethwyn Chigwada, 2016. "Migrant Sexual Health Help-Seeking and Experiences of Stigmatization and Discrimination in Perth, Western Australia: Exploring Barriers and Enablers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-22, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:13:y:2016:i:5:p:485-:d:69800
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. repec:plo:pone00:0236821 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Donna Angelina Rade & Gemma Crawford & Roanna Lobo & Corie Gray & Graham Brown, 2018. "Sexual Health Help-Seeking Behavior among Migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa and South East Asia living in High Income Countries: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-22, June.
    3. Sajana Ghimire & Jonathan Hallett & Corie Gray & Roanna Lobo & Gemma Crawford, 2019. "What Works? Prevention and Control of Sexually Transmitted Infections and Blood-Borne Viruses in Migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa, Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia Living in High-Income Countries: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-17, April.
    4. Corie Gray & Gemma Crawford & Bruce Maycock & Roanna Lobo, 2021. "Socioecological Factors Influencing Sexual Health Experiences and Health Outcomes of Migrant Asian Women Living in ‘Western’ High-Income Countries: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-14, March.
    5. Corie Gray & Roanna Lobo & Lea Narciso & Enaam Oudih & Praveena Gunaratnam & Rachel Thorpe & Gemma Crawford, 2019. "Why I Can’t, Won’t or Don’t Test for HIV: Insights from Australian Migrants Born in Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-18, March.
    6. Tim Freeman & Lilian Miles & Kelvin Ying, 2025. "Self-surveillance practices of factory women migrant workers receiving SRH interventions in Malaysia: The effects of salience, gendered subjectivity and universalism," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 46(1), pages 177-198, February.

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