**1. Introduction**

In Australia, over 27% of Australians were born overseas, and another 20% have at least one parent born overseas. Australia has also committed to the resettlement of over 12,000 new refugees and net overseas migration contributes to over 60% of Australia's total population growth [1]. Australia thus provides a particularly rich case study of a migrant-receiving country undergoing rapid transformation. While other countries are experiencing similar changes, Australia has a comparatively rich range of visa schemes and a rapidly increasing overall intake of migrants. In Australian major cities, migrants

**Citation:** Dune, T.; Ayika, D.; Thepsourinthone, J.; Mapedzahama, V.; Mengesha, Z. The Role of Culture and Religion on Sexual and Reproductive Health Indicators and Help-Seeking Attitudes amongst 1.5 Generation Migrants in Australia: A Quantitative Pilot Study. *Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health* **2021**, *18*, 1341. https://doi.org/10.3390/ ijerph18031341

Academic Editor: Paul B. Tchounwou Received: 24 November 2020 Accepted: 17 January 2021 Published: 2 February 2021

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make up a significant proportion of the population. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics [1], cities where the migrant population is over 25% include Sydney (38.9), Perth (37.1), Melbourne (34.6), Adelaide (27.4), Brisbane (27), Darwin (25.9) and Canberra (25.3).

The cohort of interest is referred to as 1.5 generation migrants because they are not the conventional first generation migrant, who are old enough to emigrate on their own, nor are they the conventional second generation migrant, the offspring of the first generation migrant born in the new country [2].

#### *1.1. The Role of Culture and Religion in Constructions of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH)*

The cross-cultural positionality and/or religiosity of some migrants is often cited as having an impact on SRH decision-making processes [3]. Cultural and religious differences between a migrant's country of origin and that of immigration are linked with reduced help-seeking across a range of health outcomes [4], and especially with regard to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) [5]. SRH may be of particular note as many cultures and religions have quite clear ideologies about sexuality, sexual behaviour, and thus SRH [6,7]. Given this reality, research indicates that when migrants feel bound to constructions of SRH, as per their ethnic origins or religious doctrines, they may not utilize SRH services. Migrants may perceive them to be inappropriate for their needs or that seeking such services would be perceived of negatively by their cultural or religious group (especially if strong ties are still present) thus tainting their sociocultural identity as well [7]. This type of sociocultural clash may be intensified for 1.5 generation migrants who may be culturally and/or religiously from two worlds and may thus be conflicted about how to seek help for their SRH needs while at the same time maintaining the values.
