Dismissed and unheard: Arab immigrant women’s experiences seeking pelvic pain care in Norway

OBJECTIVE: Immigrant women face unique challenges accessing appropriate gynaecological health care. This study investigates how Arabic-speaking women perceive and respond to pelvic pain while navigating Norwegian health care. METHODS: Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was employed to examine the lived experiences of nine Arab women through interviews conducted in Arabic, facilitating both in-depth individual case analysis and cross-case comparative examination. RESULTS: Four themes emerged: (1) Symptom Dismissal and Erosion of Trust in Healthcare; (2) Cultural Stereotyping and Communication Challenges; (3) The Intersection of Pain, Identity, and Daily Life; and (4) Navigating Healthcare Systems and Treatment. These themes reveal challenges in provider relationships, impacts on daily functioning, and complexities of cross-cultural health care experiences. CONCLUSION: Findings highlight the need for improved cultural competency and better recognition of immigrant women's health concerns. Health care providers should consider cultural backgrounds and previous health care experiences when treating Arab immigrant women, ensuring more effective and culturally sensitive care delivery.