A missed opportunity? Lack of knowledge about sexual and reproductive health services among immigrant women in Sweden.

OBJECTIVE: Poor sexual and reproductive health (SRH) among immigrant women is often related to limited access, or suboptimal use of healthcare services. This study investigates the knowledge about and use of sexual and reproductive healthcare services among immigrant women in Sweden.

METHOD: A cross-sectional study of 288 immigrant women. A structured questionnaire was distributed among immigrants speaking Arabic, Dari, Somali or English registered at Swedish language schools for immigrants. Data collection took place in 19 strategically selected schools in Sweden. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regressions were used for the analysis.

RESULTS: About one-third of the immigrant women reported lack of knowledge of where to go for contraceptive counselling. Experiencing lack of emotional social support and not having had children was associated with this lack of knowledge. An even higher proportion (56%) lacked knowledge of where to go to be HIV tested, and this was associated with not having participated in a health examination. Almost 25% stated that their culture kept them back from using contraception.

CONCLUSION: Lack of knowledge of where to turn for contraceptive counselling and HIV testing among immigrant women participating in Swedish language schools for immigrants could be considered as a missed opportunity, as all citizens in Sweden have free access to these services. New health policies and strategies should aim to increase knowledge of SRH services among immigrants. Swedish language schools could play an important role in increasing knowledge of SRH-related information as many new immigrants become students during their first years in Sweden.