Sweden identifies four-part strategy to reach young migrants for sexual health care
Healthcare and civil society professionals in Sweden have outlined practical strategies to improve sexual and reproductive health access for young people with migration backgrounds—including companion services, community outreach, and better coordination between organizations. The findings offer a roadmap for policymakers and health systems struggling to serve marginalized youth populations.
Originaltitel: Strategies to improve access to sexual and reproductive health services among young people with migration experience in Sweden: a qualitative exploratory study of the perspectives of healthcare and civil society professionals
OBJECTIVE: Challenges in accessing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services among young people with migration experience in Sweden are well-documented. However, there is little exploration of strategies to address this issue and improve access. This study aims to examine existing and suggested strategies to improve access to SRH services from the perspective of professionals who provide these services. METHODS: Ten professionals involved in SRH service delivery were interviewed to gain insights into both current and suggested strategies. The interviews were analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis. RESULTS: Four themes emerged: 1) connecting the pieces of the puzzle; 2) meeting young people where they are; 3) building trust through visibility and safety; and 4) strategies for intraorganizational and interorganizational collaboration. These strategies operate on different levels, highlighting the complexity of tackling access challenges for young people with migration experience. Examples include providing psychosocial support and accompaniment services to help young people navigate the healthcare and social welfare systems, outreach activities, building trust, and incorporating youth, antiracist, and norm-critical perspectives. Participants also underscored the importance of collaborating with various stakeholders to effectively reach this group. CONCLUSIONS: This explorative study has identified various strategies used and suggested by professionals to improve access to SRH services among young people with migration experience. These strategies operate at different levels as they attempt to address multiple processes of vulnerabilization of this group. Future research is needed to explore the perspectives of young people with migration experience.