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Reproductive Health Literacy and Knowledge Among Female Refugees: A Scoping Review of Measurement Methodologies and Effect on Health Behavior

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  • Kimberly W. Tseng

    (Department of Public Health, Touro University California, 1310 Club Dr, Vallejo, CA 94592, USA)

  • Henna Mohabbat

    (College of Medicine, Touro University California, 1310 Club Dr, Vallejo, CA 94592, USA)

  • Anne Adachi

    (College of Medicine, Touro University California, 1310 Club Dr, Vallejo, CA 94592, USA)

  • Angela Calaguas

    (College of Medicine, Touro University California, 1310 Club Dr, Vallejo, CA 94592, USA)

  • Amardeep Kaur

    (College of Medicine, Touro University California, 1310 Club Dr, Vallejo, CA 94592, USA)

  • Nabeala Salem

    (College of Medicine, Touro University California, 1310 Club Dr, Vallejo, CA 94592, USA)

  • Zahra Goliaei

    (Department of Public Health, Touro University California, 1310 Club Dr, Vallejo, CA 94592, USA)

Abstract

Reproductive health literacy (RHL) is essential to women’s ability to make informed reproductive health (RH) decisions and is a key determinant of RH outcomes. Resettled refugee women often experience poorer RH outcomes, yet there is limited research on their RHL and its influence on RH decision-making. This scoping review aims to (1) to evaluate existing methods for measuring RHL among resettled refugee women and (2) to characterize the relationship between RHL, RH decision-making, behavior, and outcomes among refugee women residing in high-income countries. A search of peer-reviewed literature published in English found limited direct measurement of RHL. Measurement methods were primarily qualitative or based on unvalidated survey instruments, limiting comparability and generalizability. The current methodologies do not adequately capture RH knowledge or RHL proficiency. A range of additional factors were found to influence RH decision-making and behavior, supporting the need for a means to accurately measure RHL. Further quantitative research is needed to clarify the extent to which RHL and knowledge influence RH behavior and outcomes. The development of a culturally relevant, validated RHL instrument that integrates knowledge and contextual influences would support healthcare providers and public health agents in serving and designing effective interventions for refugee women post-resettlement.

Suggested Citation

  • Kimberly W. Tseng & Henna Mohabbat & Anne Adachi & Angela Calaguas & Amardeep Kaur & Nabeala Salem & Zahra Goliaei, 2025. "Reproductive Health Literacy and Knowledge Among Female Refugees: A Scoping Review of Measurement Methodologies and Effect on Health Behavior," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(7), pages 1-22, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:7:p:1121-:d:1702749
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kazhal Rashidi & Peter Watson & Hojjatollah Farahani & Rasol Roshan Chesli & Fatemeh Akhavan Abiri, 2023. "Developing and validating the Sexual Health Literacy Scale in an Iranian adult sample," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-9, December.
    2. Abdi A Gele & Fathia K Musse & Mary Shrestha & Samera Qureshi, 2020. "Barriers and facilitators to contraceptive use among Somali immigrant women in Oslo: A qualitative study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(3), pages 1-15, March.
    3. Kafuli Agbemenu & Ellen M Volpe & Ervin Dyer, 2018. "Reproductive health decision‐making among US‐dwelling Somali Bantu refugee women: A qualitative study," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(17-18), pages 3355-3362, September.
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