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CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Exploring women refugees' and asylum seekers' access to maternity services in Northern Ireland: A multi-phase qualitative study
1
Ulster University, Faculty of Life and Health Sciences – School of Nursing and Paramedic Science, Belfast, United Kingdom
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A213
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Over 120 million people are forcibly displaced globally. Refugee and asylum-seeking women face higher maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality than host populations, driven by barriers to timely, appropriate care. Pregnancy often marks their first healthcare contact, yet intersecting barriers persist. Despite global commitments under SDGs 3 (health), 5 (gender equality), and 10 (reduced inequalities), no studies have examined maternity care access for this population in Northern Ireland—highlighting a critical gap.
OBJECTIVES:
This study aims to understand the challenges and needs of women refugees and asylum seekers accessing maternity services in Northern Ireland.
METHODS:
A multi-phase qualitative study using Critical Social Theory and Levesque et al.’s Conceptual Framework. It includes: (1) a scoping review and document analysis; (2) interviews with refugee and asylum-seeking women in Northern Ireland; (3) focus groups with system stakeholders; (4) data integration; and (5) a collaborative workshop to co-develop recommendations.
RESULTS:
Phase 1 (scoping review and document analysis) synthesised evidence, revealing multifaceted access barriers and critical gaps between policy and practice in high-income countries. Phase 2 (interviews with refugee and asylum-seeking women) highlights a stark disconnect between formal entitlements and lived realities, with structural barriers compounding individual vulnerabilities. Phase 3 (stakeholder focus groups) identifies systemic challenges and emerging solutions. Data collection concludes August 2025, with integrative analysis and recommendation development to follow.
CONCLUSIONS:
This research addresses a critical gap in Northern Ireland’s maternity care evidence base while aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals on health equity. Its multi-stakeholder approach ensures practical, relevant findings to inform midwifery practice and support policy improvements for marginalised populations.
KEY MESSAGE:
In an era of unprecedented global displacement, the most vulnerable women face the greatest pregnancy risks yet encounter the most barriers to care. This multi-phase study combines policy analysis and lived experience to identify practical, evidence-based pathways to improve maternity care equity across diverse healthcare contexts. Approaches to care
Over 120 million people are forcibly displaced globally. Refugee and asylum-seeking women face higher maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality than host populations, driven by barriers to timely, appropriate care. Pregnancy often marks their first healthcare contact, yet intersecting barriers persist. Despite global commitments under SDGs 3 (health), 5 (gender equality), and 10 (reduced inequalities), no studies have examined maternity care access for this population in Northern Ireland—highlighting a critical gap.
OBJECTIVES:
This study aims to understand the challenges and needs of women refugees and asylum seekers accessing maternity services in Northern Ireland.
METHODS:
A multi-phase qualitative study using Critical Social Theory and Levesque et al.’s Conceptual Framework. It includes: (1) a scoping review and document analysis; (2) interviews with refugee and asylum-seeking women in Northern Ireland; (3) focus groups with system stakeholders; (4) data integration; and (5) a collaborative workshop to co-develop recommendations.
RESULTS:
Phase 1 (scoping review and document analysis) synthesised evidence, revealing multifaceted access barriers and critical gaps between policy and practice in high-income countries. Phase 2 (interviews with refugee and asylum-seeking women) highlights a stark disconnect between formal entitlements and lived realities, with structural barriers compounding individual vulnerabilities. Phase 3 (stakeholder focus groups) identifies systemic challenges and emerging solutions. Data collection concludes August 2025, with integrative analysis and recommendation development to follow.
CONCLUSIONS:
This research addresses a critical gap in Northern Ireland’s maternity care evidence base while aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals on health equity. Its multi-stakeholder approach ensures practical, relevant findings to inform midwifery practice and support policy improvements for marginalised populations.
KEY MESSAGE:
In an era of unprecedented global displacement, the most vulnerable women face the greatest pregnancy risks yet encounter the most barriers to care. This multi-phase study combines policy analysis and lived experience to identify practical, evidence-based pathways to improve maternity care equity across diverse healthcare contexts. Approaches to care
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
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