Public Health Research at Kakuma Refugee Camp: Addressing Women’s Health Needs
Bhavya Joshi, a doctoral student from UC Berkeley School of Public Health, is conducting research in Kakuma refugee camp to investigate the health needs of South Sudanese women amidst crises. Using community-based participatory research, she collaborates with refugee women to develop research questions and gather data. Her findings outline significant reproductive health challenges, aiming to inform policy and improve health outcomes for marginalized communities.
In July 2024, Bhavya Joshi, a doctoral student from UC Berkeley School of Public Health, embarked on a journey to Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya. This camp, established in 1992, houses over 290,000 refugees from various nations, including South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia, as it was created to support youth orphaned by conflict. Joshi’s research aims to understand the health needs of South Sudanese women facing crises like armed conflict and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing community participation in the research process.
Joshi’s work, supported by UC Berkeley institutions, utilizes community-based participatory research (CBPR), wherein the refugee women actively engage in shaping research questions and processes. She emphasizes the necessity of including marginalized communities in data collection to address the dearth of information regarding their unique health challenges. With South Sudan’s maternal mortality rate being the world’s highest, Joshi’s findings aim to highlight these women’s specific health care needs and reproductive health challenges, which have been largely overlooked.
The research revealed alarming statistics: many women give birth before reaching health centers, with insufficient medical staff and resources, outdated equipment, and no cervical cancer screenings. Additionally, there is a severe lack of family planning services, leading women resorting to transactional sex to survive. Joshi stresses that the compounded crises in the region have intensified dangers for these women, such as gender-based violence and unintended pregnancies.
Joshi’s passion for women’s health is deeply rooted in her personal experiences and education. Born in New Delhi and educated internationally, she has dedicated her life to humanitarian work. Her previous studies have addressed health in migration contexts, and her current focus on South Sudanese women aligns with her goal to support those most impacted by health disparities.
In partnership with AMREC, a consultancy firm, Joshi successfully recruited local young women as data collectors to bridge cultural gaps and ensure effective communication in interviews. The community’s involvement is pivotal; during a workshop to discuss initial findings, refugee participants provided feedback, highlighting the importance of their ownership over the research conducted in their environment.
Joshi’s collaboration with organizations such as the Kenya Red Cross revealed challenges women face regarding reproductive health. Many prioritize basic survival over reproductive care, and those who attempt to seek family planning often encounter barriers, including domestic opposition. Joshi envisions future interventions to educate the community on family planning while boosting male participation to encourage positive changes.
As her research progresses, Joshi’s intention remains to impact policies that address the unique reproductive health needs of refugees. Her dedication is to ensure that their voices are heard, and the collective approach strengthens the prospects for improved health outcomes among marginalized populations. Through her efforts, she hopes to inspire substantive policy shifts that benefit women and families in Kakuma camp.
In summary, Bhavya Joshi’s research at Kakuma refugee camp exemplifies the importance of community-based participatory research in addressing public health challenges faced by marginalized populations. By involving refugee women in the research process, Joshi aims to document their unique health needs, particularly regarding maternal and reproductive health. Her findings will inform future interventions and policies, emphasizing the necessity of engaging local communities in finding sustainable solutions to health disparities.
Original Source: publichealth.berkeley.edu
