Barriers and enablers influencing access to sexual and reproductive health care services among migrant and culturally and linguistically diverse women living in Australia: An Integrated Review

Project Overview: Migrant and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) women living in Australia experience multiple barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, including challenges related to health system navigation, culture, language, finances, and structural inequities. Existing studies are scattered, predominantly qualitative, and vary in focus and depth, leaving a gap in consolidated evidence to inform culturally responsive strategies and equitable policy. This integrated review will critically synthesize barriers and enablers affecting SRH access and utilization among migrant and CALD women in Australia, identify community-specific priorities and knowledge gaps, and propose recommendations to guide health professionals, researchers, and policymakers. Background & Rationale Despite commitments to equitable health service provision, disparities persist for migrant and CALD women seeking SRH services in Australia. The literature is dispersed across disciplines, lacks comprehensive synthesis, and rarely integrates findings into policy-relevant frameworks. This review addresses the absence of a critical, integrated synthesis by consolidating evidence on barriers, enablers, perceptions, lived experiences, and culturally appropriate strategies to advance health equity and improve SRH outcomes in this population. Review Type: Integrated Review (mixed-method synthesis of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods studies)