Early motherhood: A qualitative study exploring the experiences of African Australian teenage mothers in greater Melbourne, Australia

BACKGROUND: Motherhood is a significant and important aspect of life for many women around the globe. For women in communities where motherhood is highly desired, motherhood is considered crucial to the woman's identity. Teenage motherhood, occurring at a critical developmental stage of teenagers' lives, has been identified as having adverse social and health consequences. This research aimed to solicit the lived experiences of African Australian young refugee women who have experienced early motherhood in Australia. METHODS: This qualitative research used in-depth interviews. The research methods and analysis were informed by intersectionality theory, phenomenology and a cultural competency framework. Sixteen African born refugee young women who had experienced teenage pregnancy and early motherhood in Greater Melbourne, Australia took part in this research. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and data analysed using thematic content analysis. Ethics approval for this research was granted by Victoria University Human Research Ethics committee. RESULTS: Motherhood brings increased responsibilities, social recognition, and a sense of purpose for young mothers. Despite the positive aspects of motherhood, participants faced challenges that affected their lives. Most often, the challenges included coping with increased responsibilities following the birth of the baby, managing the competing demands of schooling, work and taking care of a baby in a site of settlement. The young mothers indicated they received good support from their mothers, siblings and close friends, but rarely from the father of their baby and the wider community. Participants felt that teenage mothers are frowned upon by their wider ethnic communities, which left them with feelings of shame and embarrassment, despite the personal perceived benefits of achieving motherhood. CONCLUSIONS: We propose that service providers and policy makers support the role of the young mothers' own mother, sisters, their grandmothers and aunts following early motherhood. Such support from significant females will help facilitate young mothers' re-engagement with education, work and other aspects of life. For young migrant mothers, this is particularly important in order to facilitate settlement in a new country and reduce the risk of subsequent mistimed pregnancies. Service providers need to expand their knowledge and awareness of the specific needs of refugee teen mothers living in 'new settings'

Sensitive Research and Vulnerable Participants: Accessing and Conducting Research with African Australian Teenage Mothers in Greater Melbourne, Australia

with African born immigrants, predominantly thosewith a refugee background. Focus has been on refugeeexperiences, health issues and settlement prior to andafter arrival in Australia. Little has been written aboutaccessing and conducting research with AfricanAustralian migrants. This paper provides reflectivediscussions on how to successfully access and doresearch with Australians of African descent.Methods and research participantsThis qualitative study is situated within the culturalcompetency framework. In-depth interviews and focusgroup discussions were conducted with AfricanAustralian teenage mothers (16) and key informants(five). A focus group was conducted with serviceproviders/key informants who worked and providedservices to African refugees/families and a second withsix African mothers/key informants with a refugeebackground in Greater Melbourne.DiscussionThere are several salient issues regarding accessing thisgroup of migrants that emerge from our research.These include: locating participants and gaining access;cultural knowledge; trust and sensitivity to the issue(s)under study; relationships and networks; researchknowledge by participants; acceptance of the researcherby the community and vice versa. Understanding oftheir lives and acknowledgement of previous researchexperiences by African descent persons and minoritygroups is vital for effective engagement with vulnerableparticipants.ConclusionWe conclude that culture sensitivity, cultural awarenessand knowledge, the ‘appropriate’ person, good rapport,and trust on the part of the researcher will yield positiveoutcomes. In addition race/ethnicity, gender,personal/shared experiences and respect of participantsall contribute to positive outcomes

Factors influencing contraception awareness and use : the experiences of young African Australian mothers

The aim of this study was to examine contraception awareness and use among African Australian women in Melbourne, Australia, who have experienced teenage pregnancy, and to explore the social contexts that shape these women's attitudes towards contraception. Among young immigrant and refugee women living in sites of settlement, knowledge and use of contraception are a public health concern. The study used a qualitative research approach and was informed by anthropology, public health and human rights frameworks. Between June 2009 and November 2010, in-depth interviews were conducted in Melbourne, Australia, with 16 African Australian teenagers and women who had experienced teenage pregnancy. In addition, two focus group discussions were held with service providers and African women and five key informant interviews were conducted. Data were transcribed verbatim, coded, and key themes identified and analysed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that attitudes towards and use of contraception are influenced by parental sexual health literacy and attitudes, gender roles and culturally informed attitudes around motherhood. Service providers should consider the value of whole-of-family and community approaches in order to improve knowledge and decision-making around contraception among young African Australian women

Contraception knowledge and attitudes : truths and myths among African Australian teenage mothers in Greater Melbourne, Australia

Aims and objectives: To discuss the contraception knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of African Australian teenagers and women with a refugee background in Melbourne. Background: The numbers of African Australian persons continue to increase, with a significant proportion being refugee women and children. Attitudes and behaviours towards contraception in this group continue to be influenced by culture, family and beliefs. Design: This study is based on qualitative research that was underpinned by intersectionality theory, cultural competency and phenomenology. Participants: Sixteen teenagers and women who had experienced teenage pregnancy in Greater Melbourne, Australia, were interviewed. Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with the sixteen African Australian teenagers and women. Following data collection, data were transcribed verbatim, and coded, and key themes identified and analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Knowledge of contraception among this group of migrants was low and filled with myths. Attitudes towards contraception use were insufficient and influenced by beliefs and external factors such as partner, family and community attitudes towards contraception. Migration status and other instabilities in the lives of these participants all intersected to shape their health beliefs and contraception decision-making. Conclusions: Refugee teenage mothers' knowledge of contraception was low and their attitude towards contraceptive use was poor. Myths and external factors continued to influence teenagers' and women's attitudes towards contraceptives. The events and life experiences of African Australian teenagers/women, culture, and family and community influences should be taken into consideration when providing healthcare services and sexual health education to this migrant group. Relevance to clinical practice: Service providers should consider the multiple intersections in the lives of these women when delivering healthcare services and information to them

Gains and losses: African Australian women and higher education

This article argues that African women migrants in Australia are increasingly enrolling in and successfully completing tertiary study, usually at high emotional and financial cost. While this qualitative study has shown that both refugee-background and non-refugee African Australian women's enrolment in higher education is enabling new forms of participation and belonging in resettlement, it continues to challenge the women's more traditional cultural roles and identities. This article argues that these gendered negotiations are noted only cursorily (if at all) within education and health contexts, and, importantly, form a primary obstacle facing African Australian women in migration and refugee resettlement transition