Barriers and facilitators to maternal and child health services and breastfeeding counselling among Somali-speaking mothers: A comparative study in Finland and Somalia.
1
University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
2
Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
3
Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2733
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
The influence of maternal and child health utilization on mothers and infants’ health is well established. However, research shows that immigrant women face challenges in accessing maternal and child health services and often encounter difficulties when receiving breastfeeding counselling. We aimed to examine the facilitators and barriers to the utilization of maternal and child health services and breastfeeding counselling.
METHODS:
We conducted three focus group discussions with Somali-speaking mothers: one in Finland and two in Somalia. A total of 26 mothers with children aged five or younger participated in the discussions. Thematic analyses were conducted using Atlas.ti software.
RESULTS:
For the women living in Finland, five main themes emerged: experiences of racism and social exclusion, communication barriers, emotional and psychological burden (barriers); healthcare system support (facilitator); and & breastfeeding support and challenges. For mothers in Somalia, four themes were identified: lack or resources, breastfeeding challenges (barriers); social support and good staff-customer relationship (facilitators).
CONCLUSIONS:
For the mothers living in Finland, experiences of racism and social exclusion and communication barriers were the primary obstacles to service use, whereas in Somalia the main barrier was lack of resources. Notably, a good staff–customer relationship emerged as the key facilitator of service use in both settings.
The influence of maternal and child health utilization on mothers and infants’ health is well established. However, research shows that immigrant women face challenges in accessing maternal and child health services and often encounter difficulties when receiving breastfeeding counselling. We aimed to examine the facilitators and barriers to the utilization of maternal and child health services and breastfeeding counselling.
METHODS:
We conducted three focus group discussions with Somali-speaking mothers: one in Finland and two in Somalia. A total of 26 mothers with children aged five or younger participated in the discussions. Thematic analyses were conducted using Atlas.ti software.
RESULTS:
For the women living in Finland, five main themes emerged: experiences of racism and social exclusion, communication barriers, emotional and psychological burden (barriers); healthcare system support (facilitator); and & breastfeeding support and challenges. For mothers in Somalia, four themes were identified: lack or resources, breastfeeding challenges (barriers); social support and good staff-customer relationship (facilitators).
CONCLUSIONS:
For the mothers living in Finland, experiences of racism and social exclusion and communication barriers were the primary obstacles to service use, whereas in Somalia the main barrier was lack of resources. Notably, a good staff–customer relationship emerged as the key facilitator of service use in both settings.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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