Title:
Closer to care: lived experiences and access to SRHR for female asylum seekers. A participatory study on on-site consultations in Dutch asylum centers
Authors:
Hofman, Sofieke
Place:
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Publisher:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute [etc.]
Year:
2025
PAGE:
xi, 59
Language:
En
Subject:
Health and Poverty
Keywords:
Access to care, SRHR, asylum seekers, The Netherlands, participatory research
Abstract:
BACKGROUND Female asylum seekers in the Netherlands face persistent, multifaceted barriers to sexual and reproductive healthcare (SRHR), resulting in underutilization and unmet needs, despite legal entitlements and available services. Tailored care is better suited to address women’s specific SRHR needs. OBJECTIVE This study explores how on-site SRHR consultation services can be adapted and implemented to reflect the SRHR-related needs, preferences, and lived experiences of female asylum seekers in the Netherlands, using a participatory research approach. METHODOLOGY This qualitative study used a participatory approach by involving peer researchers: migrant ambassadors with lived experience. Data were collected through key informant interviews and focus group discussions with female asylum seekers, using visual prompt cards to facilitate dialogue on sensitive SRHR topics. Thematic analysis, guided by the Levesque framework, explored access at both user and system levels. RESULTS Key SRHR needs include care related to gender-based violence, support for the consequences of female genital mutilation, and access to reliable and appropriate information to make informed choices. Critical facilitators of access are trusted communication, culturally sensitive care, integrated on-site services, and involvement migrant ambassadors. Main barriers include stigma, limited health literacy, cultural taboos, lack of continuity, and unsuitable living conditions. Trust and inter-organizational partnerships emerged as essential cross-cutting factors influencing access and engagement with care. CONCLUSION Women express a clear need for safe spaces to discuss SRHR-related concerns. Adapting services to their lived experiences requires trust-building, cultural responsiveness, and systemlevel coordination. On-site, community-informed interventions hold strong potential to improve access, equity, and quality of SRHR care.
Organization:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute, VU - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Institute:
KIT (Royal Tropical Institute)
Country:
The Netherlands
Region:
Northwestern Europe
Training:
Master of International Health
Category:
Research
Right:
@ 2025 Hofman
Document type:
Thesis/dissertation
File:
1BD5wMTTTo_20251216113308488.pdf