How to improve maternal and child health for migrant communities

Many migrant women miss prenatal appointments, avoid cancer screenings, and struggle to access contraception. They find the system inaccessible and rely on family and friends rather than healthcare professionals.

Experiences of maternity care among immigrant women in Norway vary greatly depending on personal expectations and familiarity with the system.

Healthcare systems must build trust

Some women find the Norwegian model empowering, while others feel anxious due to what they perceive as insufficient monitoring or unfamiliar practices.

When healthcare providers or midwives share cultural backgrounds and cultural competence, women report feeling more confident and more willing to engage.

This highlights a fundamental truth: simply offering services is not enough. Healthcare systems must actively work to build trust. This includes providing information in multiple languages, offering culturally sensitive communication, and adapting services to different expectations—without compromising quality.

A study with sub-Saharan African immigrant women in Norway reveals limited knowledge about available services and how to access them. Some felt rushed during appointments, while others perceived discrimination. Long waiting times further discouraged engagement.

Language barriers and insufficient information

A systematic review found that migrant women encounter six major obstacles when seeking reproductive and preventive health services. The most common challenge—affecting more than half of all participants—was insufficient information and difficulty navigating the healthcare system.

This was closely followed by language barriers, cultural differences, economic hardship, administrative hurdles, and experiences of discrimination. As a result, many women miss prenatal appointments, avoid cancer screenings, and struggle to access contraception. Some rely on family and friends rather than healthcare professionals—not out of preference, but because the system feels inaccessible.

Seven community-based solutions that work

Evidence from Canada shows that immigrant women benefit when health information is delivered in culturally safe environments, especially when staff share their cultural background. Trust strengthens more quickly, and women feel heard and respected. Effective approaches include:

1. Invest in dedicated multilingual, culturally matched health promotion staff: Staff rooted in the community can build trust, deliver information effectively, and bridge gaps between families and health services. This improves communication and comfort.

2. Collaboration between community groups and healthcare systems creates continuity and stronger support networks.

3. Flexible service hours accommodate work, family, and transportation barriers.

4. Women‑only sessions provide safe spaces for discussing sensitive topics.

5. Participatory approaches: When migrant women help design programmes, interventions align better with their values, needs, and priorities. Policies should be shaped with migrant communities—not merely for them.

6. Secure stable, long‑term funding for community organisations: Ensures they can offer consistent support, outreach, and culturally relevant programmes.

7. Strengthen partnerships between policymakers, service providers, and community groups: Collaboration ensures services are accessible, culturally sensitive, and responsive to real needs.

Where every mother can thrive 

Improving maternal and child health for migrant women requires coordinated, community‑centered action. Treat migrant women as true partners in research and program design. When women feel welcomed, informed, and respected, they engage fully, leading to healthier pregnancies and safer childbirth.

An equitable healthcare system is one where every mother receives the care she needs to thrive.

References:

• Dhakal, S., Iziduh, S., Weerasinghe, S., Allana, S., Amodu, O., Simpson, A., Brennand, E., Benlolo, S., Ziegler, E., & Gagliardi, A. R. (2025). Community Agency Health Promotion Capacity for Ethno-Culturally Diverse Immigrant Women: Qualitative Interviews. Journal of immigrant and minority health, 10.1007/s10903-025-01779-7. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-025-01779-7
• Mbanya, V. N., Terragni, L., Gele, A. A., Diaz, E., & Kumar, B. N. (2019). Access to Norwegian healthcare system - challenges for sub-Saharan African immigrants. International journal for equity in health, 18(1), 125. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-019-1027-x
• Mehrara, L., Olaug Gjernes, T. K., & Young, S. (2022). Immigrant women’s experiences with Norwegian maternal health services: implications for policy and practice. International journal of qualitative studies on health and well-being, 17(1), 2066256. https://doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2022.2066256
• Pérez-Sánchez, M., Immordino, P., Romano, G., Giordano, A., García-Gil, C., & Morales, F. (2024). Access of migrant women to sexual and reproductive health services: A systematic review. Midwifery, 139, 104167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2024.104167
• Vazquez Corona, M., Hazfiarini, A., Vaughan, C., Block, K., & Bohren, M. A. (2024). Participatory Health Research with Women from Refugee, Asylum-Seeker, and Migrant Backgrounds Living in High-Income Countries: A Scoping Review. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 23. https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069231225371

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