Exploring the State of Gender-Centered Health Research in the Context of Refugee Resettlement in Canada: A Scoping Review

Chloe Zivot, Cate Dewey, Cole Heasley, Sharada Srinivasan and Matthew Little
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Chloe Zivot: Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
Cate Dewey: Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
Cole Heasley: Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
Sharada Srinivasan: Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
Matthew Little: School of Public Health and Social Policy, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Rd, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 20, 1-20

Abstract: Interdisciplinary health research that investigates gender as a relational process is necessary to facilitate a safe and healthy resettlement process for refugees in Canada. This scoping review explores the range, nature, and extent of published research examining gender in relation to refugee health during resettlement in Canada. An initial search of six databases yielded 7325 articles published before June 2019. A total of 34 articles published between 1988 and 2019 were included for in-depth review. Articles meeting inclusion criteria primarily focused on refugee women. Categories of focus included maternal health, social and emotional health, health impacts of sexual and gender-based violence and torture, access to health and social services, decision-making and health-seeking behavior, mental health, and sexual and reproductive health. Our thematic analysis identified connections between gender roles, expectations, ideals, and health through interactions and lived experiences within the family, community, and healthcare system. Review findings suggest that many refugee women are influenced by pervasive gender roles and expectations as well as exposed to gendered health systems and practices that may pose risks to health, particularly mental health and access to services. Further efforts should be made to understand processes and experiences of resilience and community building in countering negative impacts of gendered beliefs and practices on health during resettlement.

Keywords: women’s health; refugee resettlement; gender; public health; family health; global health; forced migration (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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