Unveiling Silenced Narratives: A Scoping Review on Sexual Function Challenges in Migrant and Refugee Women   — ASN Events

Unveiling Silenced Narratives: A Scoping Review on Sexual Function Challenges in Migrant and Refugee Women   (#77)

Negin NMD Mirzaei Damabi 1 , Jodie JA Avery 1 , Mumtaz MB Begum 1 , Zahra Ali ZAP Padhani 1 , Zohra ZL Lassi 1
  1. University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, Australia

Background: Despite the global commitment to inclusivity and reduction of inequality outlined in the United Nations' 2030 Sustainable Development Goals(SDG), sexual satisfaction remains overlooked within the migrant and refugee population, constituting 1 in 7 of the global population. According to the vulnerability of these communities to various obstacles impacting sexual and reproductive health(SRH), including language barriers, socio-cultural beliefs, and limited resources. Notably, discussions on sexual well-being are often marginalized, despite its significant influence on happiness and quality of life. The research aims to identify gaps in existing evidence.

Methods: Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a scoping review was conducted utilizing databases such as Medline, Embase, Emcare, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane, along with grey literature, without any limitations. Utilizing Covidence software, two authors screened and extracted data from included studies. A thematic analysis was performed, and the results were reported descriptively.

Results: Initially, we identified 5615 studies and ultimately included 12 studies. The review identified a limited body of research using various unvalidated tools. These studies yielded heterogeneous results: migrant women reported less sexual knowledge, experience, and liberal attitudes, resulting in lower rates of desire and arousal compared to non-migrants. Some studies showed lower sexual function in migrants, while others found no significant differences between migrants and non-migrants. The assimilation into Western cultures may influence migrants’ sexual attitudes and behaviours.

Conclusion: The study underscores the imperative for a comprehensive approach to sexual health, recognizing the marginalise communities. This review serves as a foundation for co-designing and evaluating policies addressing sexual health inequities. By prioritizing neglected populations, the study advocates for sustainable and culturally-sensitive interventions and policies, aiming to reduce sexual health disparities. This research emphasizes the importance of recognizing sexual health as an integral aspect of the broader SRH framework, aligning with the commitment to the 2030 SDG.

 

 
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