Exploring the Health Seeking Narratives of Assyrian Refugee Women Living with Chronic Pain: A Qualitative Study

Context: Chronic pain has been long recognised as a defining feature among the wide range of health-related problems exhibited in women belonging to refugee backgrounds. Insights into health and socio-cultural experiences seeking care for chronic may help inform practice protocols reduce inequalities populations that are systematically marginalised. Objective: To explore health-seeking narratives Assyrian factors influence their Australia. Study Design Analysis: A qualitative study using phenomenological perspective understand lived experience pain. Analysis involved reflexive thematic analysis based identifying meaningful patterns organising these themes. Setting: The was set Melbourne, Victoria where recruitment began by approaching Iraqi community leaders, acting key informants, through pre-existing partnerships with settlement services. Purposive sampling snowballing approach used identify eligible participants. Population Studied: Ten who identified having Women were aged between 19 85 years had Australia four or longer. Instrument: Semi-structured, in-depth interviews lasting 30 90 minutes conducted English Arabic an interpreter present. Outcome Measured: receiving Results: Overall, such culture family caregiver role homeland heavily influenced healthcare Five themes emerged from this, including 1) Trust systems 2) Accessibility 3) Perceptions 4) Support mechanisms 5) Health knowledge. These played significant on shaping forming models thought around accessing living life Conclusions: Refugee arriving confronted social cultural conditions radically different past experiences. This provides rich insights needs women, highlights need evidence base better patient advocacy management support resettling