Health resources for our multicultural women

Women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds now have access to user friendly resources on cervical screening and other health issues.

The resources include easy-to-read pamphlets with plenty of pictures, and video content of doctor and patient consultations on cervical screening. WSLHD Multicultural Health Bilingual Community Education (BCE) program officer Anoop Johar said the resources have been developed to help women overcome cultural barriers to being screened, and increase awareness and access.

“They have been developed in plain English and community languages such as Arabic, Assyrian, Dari, Farsi and Karen, to reach people from countries including Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Myanmar,” Anoop said.

“Translations are also available in other languages including Chinese, Hindi, Spanish, Swahili, Tamil and Vietnamese.”

The BCE program aims to improve the health and wellbeing of CALD communities by developing and providing health education programs to people in their first language.

“These programs are designed to target CALD women who, in some cases, may not have strong literacy even in their own language,” Anoop said.

“We provide information to women who may know very little about their health and who are shy to access services.

“By teaching them about this test and addressing the cultural barriers they are able to look after their health.”

The resources have been developed thanks to a partnership with Cancer Institute NSW, NSW Refugee Health Service, Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) and South Western Sydney Local Health District, Family Planning NSW.

To access these free resources, visit: https://www.fpnsw.org.au/health-information/individuals/non-english-speaking/fact-sheets-community-languages