Western sydney migrant and refugee youths’ perspectives about access and use of contraception in Australia: a qualitative study

Introduction: Access to contraception is an essential component of sexual and reproductive health and rights, yet migrant and refugee youth face significant barriers in accessing contraceptive services. This study examines migrant and refugee youth’s knowledge, beliefs, and experiences regarding contraception access and utilization in Greater Western Sydney. Methods: A phenomenological qualitative approach was used to explore participants’ lived experiences. From 1 June 2020 to 12 June 2021, purposive snowball sampling was used to recruit 87 participants, including eight Youth Project Liaisons. Seventeen focus group discussions were conducted, and thematic analysis was performed using Quirkos software to enhance rigor and consistency. Results: Three key themes were identified: (1) participants’ knowledge and beliefs about contraception, (2) cultural and family influences on participants’ perceptions and contraceptive use, and (3) participants’ experiences in accessing and utilizing contraceptive support in healthcare and school settings in Australia. The results highlighted concerns about contraception use, stigma, and judgment from healthcare providers, emphasizing the need for culturally competent and youth-friendly services. Conclusions: This study provides an overview of participants’ knowledge and beliefs about contraception, highlighting the influence of cultural and systemic factors. These factors should be considered in contraception counseling and education programs. Promoting sexual and reproductive rights is crucial for policymakers, health professionals, and organizations. Policy Implications: A rights-based approach to sexual health can enhance migrant and refugee youth access to contraception services and support informed reproductive choices. Policymakers and healthcare providers should prioritize culturally sensitive interventions to better serve this population.