Exploring Somali-born women’s experiences with contraceptive services in Sweden through a reproductive justice lens
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Timely and equitable access to contraceptive services is a key component of sexual and reproductive health and rights. Evidence shows that immigrant women in high-income countries often receive inadequate contraceptive counselling. There is also limited knowledge about how contraceptive services can best be organised within health systems to meet their needs. In Sweden, the Somali population is one of the country’s largest immigrant groups facing a higher risk of adverse pregnancy and childbirth outcomes compared to Swedish-born women. This study aimed to gain a deeper understanding of Somali-born women’s perceptions of and experiences with contraceptive services in Sweden. Eight focus group discussions were conducted, with a Somali-speaking moderator, and data were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic approach. All participants (N = 60) were Somali immigrants who had given birth in Sweden. Two main themes were constructed: (1) Factors shaping reproductive choices: community, household, and partner influences, and (2) women’s perspectives on contraceptive services. The findings suggest opportunities to advance reproductive justice in contraceptive services in Sweden. Incorporating women’s preferences and needs is essential to establishing person-centred contraceptive services, aligning with Sweden’s health system priorities. Services must adapt to and reflect clients’ experiences to avoid being shaped by preconceived notions and intersecting power dynamics. Our findings have implications for moving towards reproductive justice in the delivery of sexual and reproductive health services.
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,895
Awards: IMPROVE – Promoting equitable reproductive health: IMplementing best practice postpartum contraceptive services through a quality imPROVEment initiative for and with immigrant women in Sweden, IMPROVE –Promoting equitable reproductive health: IMplementing best practice postpartum contraceptive services through a quality imPROVEment initiative for and with immigrant women in Sweden
OpenAlex ID: W7160666100