The perinatal experiences of refugee, migrant and asylum seeker women as part of the implementation of the Oramma Project at the Refugee Reception Center of Alexandria, Northern Greece.

Abstract

Background: Proper perinatal care contributes to the birth of healthy babies and the reduction of maternal and neonatal mortality. As women from Middle Eastern countries get married noticeably young, give birth at such young age and have many children, proper information from a midwife is essential. Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the experiences of refugee women in the provision of perinatal care by a midwife in the Refugee Accommodation Center of Alexandria, Imathia, within the context of the ORAMMA project’s guidelines. Sample and Method: This is a qualitative research which was conducted by face to face, in depth interviews. A questionnaire with open-ended questions was used as a guide for data collection. The sample used was pregnant women during the second and third trimester, as well as postnatal women. Results: Refugee women claimed they were satisfied with the care they received at the Refugee Reception Center in Alexandria by their midwife. The main difficulties these women faced were the lack of interpreters during hospital visits, bureaucracy issues, transportation to the hospitals, and cultural-religious problems. Conclusions: Women were satisfied by the services their midwife provided at the Refugee Reception Center in Alexandria. This fact confirms that the perinatal care in Refugee Camps in Greece is at a high level. There is a vital necessity of having more interpreters in hospitals. Health care professionals working with refugees, migrants and asylum seekers must be properly trained in managing any incident that might occur in such a vulnerable group of people, and be aware of their cultural differences, in order to avoid racist behaviors.