Health care needs of displaced women living in Osire refugee camp in Namibia

Abstract

The aim of the study was to explore the experiences of displaced women living in the Osire refugee camp in Namibia about their health care needs, and to develop health care guidelines that will help to address the identified health care needs of displaced women. A descriptive phenomenological study was used, using face-to-face interviews with participants in response to one question. The following question was asked: What are the health care needs of displaced women living in Osire refugee camp and how should they be addressed? Ten women were interviewed. Their ages ranged between 18 and 58 years. The duration of displacement was longer than 6 months. Interviews were conducted in Osire Refugee Camp in Namibia. Displaced women were invited to participate in the study on a voluntary basis. The interviews were tape recorded and transcribed verbatim. During the analysis the essence substantiated by the constituents of their experiences regarding their health care needs were identified. The findings of the health care needs of displaced women living in Osire refugee camp reflect that they have a need for restoration of hope and human dignity. A thorough literature review was done and the constituents were re-phrased to form guidelines on how to address the health care needs of displaced women. The guidelines were refined through a Delphi study.