"We just keep it to ourselves": A qualitative exploration of the sexual and reproductive health information needs of immigrant adolescents in Canada.

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Title: "We just keep it to ourselves": A qualitative exploration of the sexual and reproductive health information needs of immigrant adolescents in Canada.
Authors: Meherali, Salima (AUTHOR), Ahmad, Mariam (AUTHOR), Rehmani, Amyna Ismail (AUTHOR), Puinean, Giulia (AUTHOR), Kauser, Samar (AUTHOR), Fiddler, Piper Scott (AUTHOR), Pinzón-Hernández, Paula (AUTHOR), Khan, Zeba (AUTHOR), Okeke-Ihejirika, Philomina (AUTHOR), Salami, Bukola (AUTHOR), Stroulia, Eleni (AUTHOR), Vandermorris, Ashley (AUTHOR), Wong, Josephine (AUTHOR), Norman, Wendy V. (AUTHOR), Scott, Shannon (AUTHOR), Munro, Sarah (AUTHOR)
Source: Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality. Apr2026, Vol. 35 Issue 1, p65-78. 14p.
Subjects: Immigrants, Health information services, Health literacy, Health services accessibility, Reproductive health, Adolescent health, Qualitative research, Research funding, Interviewing, Health, Sex education, Medical care, Digital health, Sexual excitement, Culture, Affinity groups, Decision making, Social norms, Families, Information resources, Descriptive statistics, Information needs, Attitude (Psychology), Thematic analysis, Health planning, Action research, Sexual intercourse, Informed consent (Medical law), Religion, Digital media, Research, Needs assessment, Health promotion, Contraception, Data analysis software, Sexual health, Medicine information services, Access to information, Information-seeking behavior, Childbirth, Abortion, Intimacy (Psychology), Social stigma, Social isolation, Adolescence
Geographic Terms: Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Canada
Abstract: Adolescence represents a critical phase of development, marked by sexual maturity and the development of lifelong behaviours. Immigrant adolescents in Canada encounter barriers that prevent them from accessing services and taking measures to improve their sexual and reproductive health (SRH). These barriers often stem from limited knowledge regarding SRH, cultural views about SRH education, and a lack of dedicated resources for immigrant and marginalized populations. The authors to explore the information needs of immigrant adolescents related to their SRH in Canada. They used a community-based participatory action research study design to collaborate with adolescents and established adolescent advisory groups (AAGs). In partnership with AAGs, they conducted qualitative interviews and focused group discussions with immigrant adolescents in Edmonton, Toronto, and Vancouver (n = 58). Through thematic analysis, the authors identified patterns in the data and categorized their into two broad themes: (a) adolescents' knowledge to promote SRH and well-being and (b) informational and service access needs related to SRH. The authors found that although immigrant adolescents had a foundational grasp of SRH topics, they often encountered barriers to expanding their knowledge and managing their SRH issues. The findings reflect that immigrant youth in Canada require support, informational resources, and culturally appropriate SRH education to promote their SRH and rights. Their gaps in knowledge highlight the significance of addressing their informational needs and emphasize the development of evidence-based targeted solutions to improve access to SRH information and resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality is the property of University of Toronto Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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  Data: "We just keep it to ourselves": A qualitative exploration of the sexual and reproductive health information needs of immigrant adolescents in Canada.
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  Data: Adolescence represents a critical phase of development, marked by sexual maturity and the development of lifelong behaviours. Immigrant adolescents in Canada encounter barriers that prevent them from accessing services and taking measures to improve their sexual and reproductive health (SRH). These barriers often stem from limited knowledge regarding SRH, cultural views about SRH education, and a lack of dedicated resources for immigrant and marginalized populations. The authors to explore the information needs of immigrant adolescents related to their SRH in Canada. They used a community-based participatory action research study design to collaborate with adolescents and established adolescent advisory groups (AAGs). In partnership with AAGs, they conducted qualitative interviews and focused group discussions with immigrant adolescents in Edmonton, Toronto, and Vancouver (n = 58). Through thematic analysis, the authors identified patterns in the data and categorized their into two broad themes: (a) adolescents' knowledge to promote SRH and well-being and (b) informational and service access needs related to SRH. The authors found that although immigrant adolescents had a foundational grasp of SRH topics, they often encountered barriers to expanding their knowledge and managing their SRH issues. The findings reflect that immigrant youth in Canada require support, informational resources, and culturally appropriate SRH education to promote their SRH and rights. Their gaps in knowledge highlight the significance of addressing their informational needs and emphasize the development of evidence-based targeted solutions to improve access to SRH information and resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality is the property of University of Toronto Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=pbh&AN=193401743
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.3138/cjhs-2025-0041
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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        PageCount: 14
        StartPage: 65
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Immigrants
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Health information services
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Health literacy
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      – SubjectFull: Health services accessibility
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      – SubjectFull: Reproductive health
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      – SubjectFull: Adolescent health
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      – SubjectFull: Qualitative research
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      – SubjectFull: Interviewing
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      – SubjectFull: Health
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      – SubjectFull: Sex education
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      – SubjectFull: Medical care
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Digital health
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      – SubjectFull: Sexual excitement
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Culture
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Affinity groups
        Type: general
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      – SubjectFull: Health promotion
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      – SubjectFull: Contraception
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Data analysis software
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Sexual health
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Medicine information services
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      – SubjectFull: Access to information
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Information-seeking behavior
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Childbirth
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Abortion
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Intimacy (Psychology)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social stigma
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social isolation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Adolescence
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Alberta
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: British Columbia
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Ontario
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Canada
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: "We just keep it to ourselves": A qualitative exploration of the sexual and reproductive health information needs of immigrant adolescents in Canada.
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