Muslim Syrian refugee women’s exploration of breast cancer preventative care in a Western Canadian prairie city
International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care
ISSN: 1747-9894
Article publication date: 13 July 2021
Issue publication date: 20 September 2021
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to discuss the barriers to preventative breast cancer screening (BCS) among Muslim Syrian refugee women in a Western Canadian Prairie city.
Design/methodology/approach
Situated within a larger mixed-method study aimed at identifying barriers and facilitators to breast cancer (BC) preventative practices, the authors interviewed three key informants to get an in-depth understanding of the cultural, religious and social factors affecting knowledge of BC and BCS practices among Muslim Syrian refugee women.
Findings
Qualitative findings confirm quantitative results revealing that knowledge about BC and cultural and religious barriers on gender might translate into poor health outcomes for Muslim Syrian refugee women in a Western Canadian city.
Research limitations/implications
This research has limitations related to the sample size and the lack of generalizability to all refugee women. Results indicate the need to develop culturally tailored intervention programs to increase breast awareness and participation in breast-self-examination, clinical breast examination and mammography. The study has implications for health-care policy. Muslim Syrian refugee women need to be educated about BC upon arrival in Canada to counteract low participation rates, promote positive health outcomes and decrease potential costs to the health-care system.
Originality/value
Evidence on Muslim Syrian refugee women’s knowledge and beliefs on BC is sparse. This study addressed this gap by documenting a lack of knowledge and barriers to BCS among Muslim Syrian refugee women.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge the financial support of Sigma Theta Tau International and the Canadian Nurses Foundation. Dr Andsoy acknowledges the support of The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK). The authors thank the immigrant settlement agencies and the participants for their time and participation in the study.
Citation
Racine, L., Isik Andsoy, I. and Maposa, S. (2021), "Muslim Syrian refugee women’s exploration of breast cancer preventative care in a Western Canadian prairie city", International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care, Vol. 17 No. 3, pp. 337-352. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMHSC-07-2020-0071
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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