Healthcare Access and Utilisation among African Refugee and Immigrant Women in Australia: A Scoping Review

Abstract Background Access to healthcare is essential for the wellbeing and integration of refugee and immigrant women. In Australia, women of African descent—both refugees and immigrants—encounter substantial challenges in accessing healthcare services, despite the availability of free or subsidised programs such as breast and cervical cancer screenings. This study aims to map the existing literature on healthcare access and utilisation among African refugee and immigrant women in Australia. Methodology A systematic scoping review was conducted using Levac et al.’s framework. Searches were performed in the CINAHL, Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for studies published between 2014 and 2024. This process initially identified 842 records from the databases, along with eight manual entries. After removing duplicates, 471 articles were screened based on their titles and abstracts, excluding 428. Of the 43 full-text articles assessed, 20 met the inclusion criteria and were subjected to thematic analysis. Results The findings indicate that refugee and immigrant women of African origin in Australia primarily seek healthcare for breast and cervical cancer screenings, contraceptives, antenatal care, maternity services and mental healthcare. Factors affecting access include inadequate health literacy, limited knowledge of sexual and reproductive health, contraceptive options, and cancer screenings, compounded by cultural and religious beliefs, gender norms, and misconceptions. Cultural insensitivity, stigmatisation and fear of medical interventions further inhibit access to healthcare services. Additionally, language barriers and unfamiliarity with the healthcare system delay diagnoses and worsen health outcomes. The preference for traditional medicine underscores the need for culturally sensitive healthcare solutions. Addressing these challenges requires culturally tailored interventions, community engagement, and enhanced health literacy, as well as improved access to healthcare. Conclusion Women of African origin in Australia, including both refugees and immigrants, face various constraints that limit their access to healthcare services. Improved utilisation of healthcare among this population could lead to better sexual and reproductive health, enhanced maternal and child health outcomes, reduced rates of preventable illnesses, and improved mental wellbeing.