Document Type

Capstone Experience

Graduation Date

5-2025

Degree Name

Master of Public Health

First Committee Member

Shannon Maloney, Ph.D

Second Committee Member

Melissa Tibbits, Ph.D

Third Committee Member

Shireen S Rajaram, Ph.D

Abstract

Background

Refugees in the United States, including African refugee women, face many challenges in seeking healthcare after moving to the United States to resettle. It is urgent and essential to look into some of the health challenges the refugee community faces here in Omaha, Nebraska, that prevent them from seeking healthcare, especially when pregnant. This Capstone research project aims to focus on African refugee women, specifically in Omaha, Nebraska, and the challenges they face seeking healthcare related to pregnancy.

Methods

This research report involved five in-depth interviews conducted over Zoom. The target population was refugee mothers who had given birth in the United States in the past 2-3 years. I recruited participants from the Promo Care program within the African Immigrant Family Services Organization in Omaha, Nebraska. I then coded the interview data and categorized it into themes.

Results

Data from the five in-depth interviews revealed African refugee beliefs, behaviors, and challenges the women face when seeking healthcare related to pregnancy. Most pregnant African refugee women believe in seeking prenatal care when they first find out they are pregnant, while others are still reluctant to seek care. In-depth interviews with African refugee women revealed several challenges, including difficulties with accessing Health insurance, navigating the healthcare system, and securing transportation.

Conclusion

Notably, pregnant African refugee women face numerous challenges in Omaha, Nebraska, and the United States as a whole when seeking healthcare, and a lot still has to be done on the State and national level to close the health disparity gap between these vulnerable groups.

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