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“No Papers. No Doctor” : A Qualitative Study of Access to Maternity Care Services for Undocumented Immigrant Women in Denmark

Author

Listed:
  • Julia Kadin Funge

    (Midwifery Department, University College of Copenhagen, Sigurdsgade 26, 2200 København N, Denmark
    Danish Research Centre for Migration, Ethnicity and Health, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, 1353 København K, Denmark)

  • Mathilde Christine Boye

    (Danish Research Centre for Migration, Ethnicity and Health, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, 1353 København K, Denmark)

  • Helle Johnsen

    (Midwifery Department, University College of Copenhagen, Sigurdsgade 26, 2200 København N, Denmark
    Section for Social Medicine, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, 1353 København K, Denmark)

  • Marie Nørredam

    (Danish Research Centre for Migration, Ethnicity and Health, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, 1353 København K, Denmark
    Section for Immigrant Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital, Kettegård Allé 30, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark)

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore undocumented immigrant women’s experiences of, as well as their access to, maternity care services during pregnancy in Denmark. Recruiting through the two branches of a non-governmental organization (NGO)-driven health clinic in Denmark, we conducted 21 semi-structured interviews with undocumented immigrant women in Denmark from January 2018 to January 2019. The undocumented immigrant women experienced barriers such as fear of deportation, concerns about payment for services, and uncertainties about rules for access. Many of them described depending on NGO-driven initiatives to access maternity care services and found these as providing a safe environment for care. Our findings contribute insights towards understanding the health behavior of undocumented immigrant women and highlight the need for inclusive care to safeguard the health of the women and their children.

Suggested Citation

  • Julia Kadin Funge & Mathilde Christine Boye & Helle Johnsen & Marie Nørredam, 2020. "“No Papers. No Doctor” : A Qualitative Study of Access to Maternity Care Services for Undocumented Immigrant Women in Denmark," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-14, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:18:p:6503-:d:409956
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    Cited by:

    1. Pengdewendé Maurice Sawadogo & Drissa Sia & Yentéma Onadja & Idrissa Beogo & Gabriel Sangli & Nathalie Sawadogo & Assé Gnambani & Gaëtan Bassinga & Stephanie Robins & Eric Tchouaket Nguemeleu, 2023. "Barriers and facilitators of access to sexual and reproductive health services among migrant, internally displaced, asylum seeking and refugee women: A scoping review," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(9), pages 1-19, September.
    2. Alexis Harerimana & Julian David Pillay & Gugu Mchunu, 2026. "Healthcare Access and Utilisation among African Refugee and Immigrant Women in Australia: A Scoping Review," Journal of International Migration and Integration, Springer, vol. 27(1), pages 303-351, March.
    3. repec:bcp:journl:v:9:y:2025:i:10:p:1949-1961 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Sofie Buch Mejsner & Maria Kristiansen & Leena Eklund Karlsson, 2021. "Civil Servants and Non-Western Migrants’ Perceptions on Pathways to Health Care in Serbia—A Grounded Theory, Multi-Perspective Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-17, September.

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