Intersecting Factors Impacting the Health and Wellbeing of a Resettled Yazidi Refugee Community: A Qualitative Study.

Abstract

Refugees, or humanitarian migrants, often experience profound health disadvantages stemming from disrupted healthcare access, interrupted education, and systemic barriers to integration. For the Yazidi community resettled in Toowoomba, Queensland, these challenges are compounded by trauma and limited support systems. This study, part of a broader community-based project, explores the multi-layered factors shaping their health and wellbeing, with the aim of informing culturally responsive and sustainable support strategies. Utilising a qualitative design, we conducted semi-structured interviews (n = 23) and focus groups (n = 24) with service stakeholders and Yazidi community members. Hybrid inductive-deductive thematic analysis of transcripts was informed by the PRECEDE-PROCEED model, enabling the categorisation of health determinants into predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing factors relevant to health planning and evaluation. Five interrelated themes emerged: mental health and trauma, social integration, health literacy, language proficiency, and access to sustained funding and resources. This study illuminates the lived experiences and health needs of a high-burden refugee community in regional Australia. Findings underscore the importance of trauma-informed care, culturally tailored health education, language services, and gender-sensitive psychosocial support. The resilience demonstrated by the Yazidi community offers a foundation for designing inclusive, community-driven health interventions. These insights are critical for professionals seeking to address health disparities and promote equity.