Recommended Citation
Lin M, Suresh A, Yapo S, et al. Identifying Obstetric Care Needs and Experiences Among Rohingya Refugee Women in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Presented at Scientific Day; May 20, 2026; Milwaukee, WI.
Abstract
Background/Significance:
Rohingya refugee women in the United States face barriers to obstetric care, including language isolation, gender norms, prior trauma, and unfamiliarity with Western healthcare systems. Milwaukee hosts the largest Rohingya community nationwide (~3,000 residents), yet little is known about their perinatal care experiences.
Purpose:
Our quality improvement project aimed to characterize obstetric needs and care experiences among Rohingya women in Milwaukee and inform community-centered interventions.
Methods:
We conducted a quality improvement study of Rohingya women who delivered at Aurora Sinai Medical Center from 2019 to 2023. Eligible participants were foreign-born Milwaukee County residents with at least one prenatal visit. Semi-structured phone interviews were conducted with a certified female Rohingya healthcare interpreter. Each question was read out loud and interpreted for the patient, with the interpreter relaying their response in English to be recorded by the study team in REDCap. Quantitative data were summarized descriptively, and open-ended responses were systematically reviewed and manually coded in R using an inductive thematic framework, with recurring patterns iteratively refined and organized into higher order themes.
Results:
Of 25 eligible individuals who delivered in the study timeframe, 24 (96%) completed interviews. Participants (median age 31 years) all received prenatal and postpartum care, with 88% rating prenatal care as “excellent.” However, 71% reported that their birth experience did not meet expectations. The majority (88%) said their cultural background influenced comfort with delivering provider gender. Reported barriers to care included transportation (38%), language access (25%), and healthcare navigation (13%). Most preferred verbal communication and relied primarily on healthcare providers for information (96%), more than family (38%) or community (17%). Themes reflected appreciation for provider kindness alongside fear, uncertainty, and limited agency during labor.
Conclusions:
Although provider relationships were strong, cultural and structural barriers persisted. Findings 109 support expanded interpreter access, culturally tailored patient education, and communication strategies that enhance patient understanding and agency.
Presentation Notes
Presented at Scientific Day; May 20, 2026; Milwaukee, WI.
Full Text of Presentation
wf_yes
Document Type
Oral/Podium Presentation
Identifying Obstetric Care Needs and Experiences Among Rohingya Refugee Women in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Background/Significance:
Rohingya refugee women in the United States face barriers to obstetric care, including language isolation, gender norms, prior trauma, and unfamiliarity with Western healthcare systems. Milwaukee hosts the largest Rohingya community nationwide (~3,000 residents), yet little is known about their perinatal care experiences.
Purpose:
Our quality improvement project aimed to characterize obstetric needs and care experiences among Rohingya women in Milwaukee and inform community-centered interventions.
Methods:
We conducted a quality improvement study of Rohingya women who delivered at Aurora Sinai Medical Center from 2019 to 2023. Eligible participants were foreign-born Milwaukee County residents with at least one prenatal visit. Semi-structured phone interviews were conducted with a certified female Rohingya healthcare interpreter. Each question was read out loud and interpreted for the patient, with the interpreter relaying their response in English to be recorded by the study team in REDCap. Quantitative data were summarized descriptively, and open-ended responses were systematically reviewed and manually coded in R using an inductive thematic framework, with recurring patterns iteratively refined and organized into higher order themes.
Results:
Of 25 eligible individuals who delivered in the study timeframe, 24 (96%) completed interviews. Participants (median age 31 years) all received prenatal and postpartum care, with 88% rating prenatal care as “excellent.” However, 71% reported that their birth experience did not meet expectations. The majority (88%) said their cultural background influenced comfort with delivering provider gender. Reported barriers to care included transportation (38%), language access (25%), and healthcare navigation (13%). Most preferred verbal communication and relied primarily on healthcare providers for information (96%), more than family (38%) or community (17%). Themes reflected appreciation for provider kindness alongside fear, uncertainty, and limited agency during labor.
Conclusions:
Although provider relationships were strong, cultural and structural barriers persisted. Findings 109 support expanded interpreter access, culturally tailored patient education, and communication strategies that enhance patient understanding and agency.
Affiliations
Aurora Sinai Medical Center, Aurora UW Medical Group