• Donelle M Barnes and Cara L Harrison.
• Harris School of Nursing, Texas Christian University, TCU Box 298620 Fort Worth, TX 76129, USA. d.barnes@tcu.edu
• J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 2004 Nov 1;33(6):723-8.

ObjectiveTo describe reproductive health needs and screening rates for breast and cervical cancer for newly arrived (less than 90 days) refugee women in the United States.DesignA retrospective study of existing medical charts from 1996 to 2000.SettingRefugee health screening clinic, central Texas.PatientsRefugee women (n = 283) newly arrived in the United States from Cuba (31.1%), Bosnia (26.1%), Vietnam (24.7%), and other countries (18.0%); age range = 18 to 74 years, mean age = 34.4 years.Main Outcome MeasuresFrequency of reproductive health problems and breast and cervical cancer screening rates.ResultsTwenty-five percent of women in the sample were pregnant or had a reproductive health problem. A significant percentage older than 40 (86%) had never had a mammogram when compared to American women of the same age (33%). Only 24% reported having had a Pap test within the previous 3 years.ConclusionsThe risk of not receiving adequate reproductive health care is higher among newly arrived refugee women compared to nonrefugee women in the United States. For refugee women to enjoy optimum health, their individual needs and health care system issues must be addressed.

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