Perspectives of women from migrant and refugee backgrounds accessing the Cross Cultural Worker Service in maternity and early childhood services—a qualitative study

IntroductionWomen from migrant and refugee backgrounds living in high-income countries have an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes and lower satisfaction with healthcare. A Cross Cultural Workers (CCWs) Service was implemented in Sydney, Australia, supporting women and families throughout p...

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Main Authors: Helen J. Rogers, Caroline S. E. Homer, Amanda Henry
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Global Women's Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgwh.2025.1553677/full
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author Helen J. Rogers
Caroline S. E. Homer
Caroline S. E. Homer
Amanda Henry
Amanda Henry
Amanda Henry
author_facet Helen J. Rogers
Caroline S. E. Homer
Caroline S. E. Homer
Amanda Henry
Amanda Henry
Amanda Henry
author_sort Helen J. Rogers
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionWomen from migrant and refugee backgrounds living in high-income countries have an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes and lower satisfaction with healthcare. A Cross Cultural Workers (CCWs) Service was implemented in Sydney, Australia, supporting women and families throughout pregnancy to their child being 5 years old.MethodsThis study aimed to describe women's experience of the CCW Service and recommendations for improvement using interviews at 6 or 12 months postpartum. A framework approach was used for analysis.ResultsFour themes were generated from 23 interviews; (1) gaining knowledge, (2) strengthening capacity, (3) providing support; and (4) sharing culture, language, and migration journey. The impact of COVID-19 was a cross-cutting issue.DiscussionThe CCW Service was highly regarded, helpful, informative, and enhanced women's care experience. Recommendations for improvement were increased CCW workforce and provision of group education. This model has the potential to improve perinatal care of women from migrant and refugee backgrounds.
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spelling doaj-art-d3bbd0de70dc4e9b97869daee766d92e2025-08-20T03:02:06ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Global Women's Health2673-50592025-03-01610.3389/fgwh.2025.15536771553677Perspectives of women from migrant and refugee backgrounds accessing the Cross Cultural Worker Service in maternity and early childhood services—a qualitative studyHelen J. Rogers0Caroline S. E. Homer1Caroline S. E. Homer2Amanda Henry3Amanda Henry4Amanda Henry5Discipline of Women's Health, School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, AustraliaBurnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, AustraliaFaculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, AustraliaDiscipline of Women's Health, School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, AustraliaThe George Institute for Global Health, UNSW Medicine and Health, Sydney, NSW, AustraliaDepartment of Women's and Children's Health, St George Hospital, Kogarah, NSW, AustraliaIntroductionWomen from migrant and refugee backgrounds living in high-income countries have an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes and lower satisfaction with healthcare. A Cross Cultural Workers (CCWs) Service was implemented in Sydney, Australia, supporting women and families throughout pregnancy to their child being 5 years old.MethodsThis study aimed to describe women's experience of the CCW Service and recommendations for improvement using interviews at 6 or 12 months postpartum. A framework approach was used for analysis.ResultsFour themes were generated from 23 interviews; (1) gaining knowledge, (2) strengthening capacity, (3) providing support; and (4) sharing culture, language, and migration journey. The impact of COVID-19 was a cross-cutting issue.DiscussionThe CCW Service was highly regarded, helpful, informative, and enhanced women's care experience. Recommendations for improvement were increased CCW workforce and provision of group education. This model has the potential to improve perinatal care of women from migrant and refugee backgrounds.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgwh.2025.1553677/fullmigrantsrefugeesperinatalbicultural workermodel of careculturally responsive care
spellingShingle Helen J. Rogers
Caroline S. E. Homer
Caroline S. E. Homer
Amanda Henry
Amanda Henry
Amanda Henry
Perspectives of women from migrant and refugee backgrounds accessing the Cross Cultural Worker Service in maternity and early childhood services—a qualitative study
Frontiers in Global Women's Health
migrants
refugees
perinatal
bicultural worker
model of care
culturally responsive care
title Perspectives of women from migrant and refugee backgrounds accessing the Cross Cultural Worker Service in maternity and early childhood services—a qualitative study
title_full Perspectives of women from migrant and refugee backgrounds accessing the Cross Cultural Worker Service in maternity and early childhood services—a qualitative study
title_fullStr Perspectives of women from migrant and refugee backgrounds accessing the Cross Cultural Worker Service in maternity and early childhood services—a qualitative study
title_full_unstemmed Perspectives of women from migrant and refugee backgrounds accessing the Cross Cultural Worker Service in maternity and early childhood services—a qualitative study
title_short Perspectives of women from migrant and refugee backgrounds accessing the Cross Cultural Worker Service in maternity and early childhood services—a qualitative study
title_sort perspectives of women from migrant and refugee backgrounds accessing the cross cultural worker service in maternity and early childhood services a qualitative study
topic migrants
refugees
perinatal
bicultural worker
model of care
culturally responsive care
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgwh.2025.1553677/full
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