Secret Voices are Breaking the Silence: A Meta-Ethnography of Perceptions of Sexual and Reproductive Health Among Resettled Refugee Youth.

Abstract

Nurses are in the front line in caring for refugee youth in relation to their sexual and reproductive health. Culturally competent nursing care requires an understanding of different health values, beliefs, and practices and to be aware of the perceptions refugee youth have regarding sexual health. Therefor the aim of this meta-ethnography was to synthesize knowledge of refugee youth, and their perceptions related to sexual and reproductive health, before and after resettlement to a new country. Nine qualitative studies were included, describing the experiences of 297 refugee youth, originating from 13 countries, resettled in respectively Australia, USA and in temporary resettlements in Lebanon. Secret voices are breaking the silence was established as an overarching metaphor in a lines-of-argument synthesis. This metaphor was accompanied by three main themes: (1) The sounds of silence; (2) We have no words for it; and (3) Longing to learn. Findings indicate that cultural values and beliefs represent a barrier for refugee youth in accessing sexual and reproductive health information, services, and care. In a resettlement context language is a barrier to access sexual health information, and fear of judgment from family, friends, and community holds young refugees back from seeking services and care. Young refugees are longing for more knowledge, for themselves and their parents. This meta-ethnography can contribute to a heightened awareness amongst nurses in providing sensitive and culturally competent care for a diverse population of refugee youth.