https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/129109 2026-04-14T18:44:50Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/129435 Title: Sexuality education, contraception and abortion care : an analysis of policy documents by supranational institutions and their application in Malta Abstract: This dissertation analyses six policy documents published by supranational institutions aiming to identify their recommendations regarding comprehensive sexuality education, thus giving access to contraception and abortion care, through a pro-choice perspective. Utilising qualitative content analysis and thematic analysis, the documents are examined through a policy advocacy framework. The analysis reveals the importance of accessibility, availability, affordability, accountability and safety for the implementation and provision of sexual and reproductive rights and health services, including the legalisation of abortion care with no restrictions. It is argued that these rights should also be made available to all residents of Malta, no matter their legal or socio-economic status, with no barriers to receiving care such as third-party authorisation, parental/guardian or spousal consent. The dissertation identified that Malta’s sexual health policy and sex education policies are outdated (over 10 years old) and do not reflect recent developments, such as out-of-school education and community involvement. There is also limited access to certain forms of contraception due to conscientious clauses for emergency contraception. Additionally, rates of sexually transmitted infections (HIV and syphilis) are at an all-time high. Abortion care is illegal and criminalised and is only accessible to those who can afford to travel out of the country or use online services with support from various human rights’ activists. The study concludes that Malta requires new, comprehensive policies for all areas of sexual and reproductive health and rights. These policies should combine public health measures with legislation to avoid misinterpretation when delivering care. It recommends developing these new policies through consultations with NGOs and human rights’ activists due to their first-hand experience of addressing gaps in current policies and services. Furthermore, involving youths and community members is crucial to ensure the policies address societal needs. Description: B.A. (Hons)(Melit.) 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/129415 Title: How effective are the current labour market policies in attracting women in Malta to employment? : an assessment of three recent measures designed to encourage women to enter the workforce Abstract: This research study aims to discover the extent to which three recently-introduced labour market policies (free childcare, in-work benefit and tapering of benefits) are encouraging women in Malta to work. It will determine whether these benefits have an impact and serving their purpose or whether there are other underlying but crucial factors imposing this need for women to work. The attitudes and perceptions of working women in Malta, while also balancing their caring responsibilities, will also be discussed. The goal of this study is to establish whether these benefits contribute to women entering the public sphere and having a work-life balance, since most of the caring responsibilities for the home and children are still done by women. A qualitative approach was chosen for the methodology of this study and data was collected by conducting interviews from two cohorts: the beneficiaries of these policies and official representatives responsible for managing such benefits. This was done to gather both a subjective and an objective approach to determine the impact of these benefits from two perspectives. The data was then analysed using thematic analysis and among the themes emerged were assisting mothers, work-life balance, the working mother, and the aftermath of benefits. This study and its findings seek to contribute to the existing gap in research since current data is limited, even though these benefits have been introduced for a decade. However, the subject is still relatively new and such findings, especially the responses collected from the beneficiaries may help provide a clearer picture for the main entities responsible for the management of these benefits regarding any improvements that could be done to the benefits or other initiatives to ensure a better service and assistance to women to achieve their work-life balance and contribute to the workforce. Description: B.A. (Hons)(Melit.) 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/129414 Title: The sexual and reproductive health knowledge and access of refugees and asylum seekers Abstract: In 2022, the UNHCR reported that the global displacement crisis forced over 10 million individuals to flee their homes, marking the highest yearly increase ever recorded. Among these, 5.7 million were from Ukraine and 4.4 million from other countries including Afghanistan and Venezuela (UNHCR, 2022). The surge in displacement, driven by ongoing and new conflicts, has led to significant health risks among displaced populations. These include mental health issues, malnutrition, and increased susceptibility to infectious diseases (World Health Organization, 2018). Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is particularly impacted, with displaced individuals often facing compromised SRH including higher risks of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and poor maternal health (McGinn et al., 2011). Despite the increase in global displacement, research on the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) of displaced populations is relatively new, with available studies being separate qualitative and quantitative investigations. Consequently, this research aims to explore SRH knowledge and access among refugees and asylum seekers by employing a systematic literature review to gather and consolidate relevant disaggregated studies. The methodology of this study includes a comprehensive search across four databases: PubMed, APA PsycINFO, CINAHL Complete, and MEDLINE Complete. Additionally, critical thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo software to ensure that the findings aligned with the research objectives. The findings revealed that financial constraints and lack of affordable health insurance are common barriers to accessing SRH services among refugees and asylum seekers. Cultural and language barriers further hinder effective communication and utilization of these services, contributing to insufficient SRH knowledge and negative health outcomes. Furthermore, legal barriers in healthcare access further deter refugees and asylum seekers from seeking care, exacerbating the challenges of accessing essential SRH services. Many refugees have limited knowledge of SRH topics such as STIs, contraception methods, and pregnancy danger signs, often due to varying education levels and predisplacement settings. Contrastingly, peer support and community networks have been found to play a crucial role in improving health literacy and encouraging healthcare engagement during resettlement. The study revealed the need for targeted interventions to enhance SRH knowledge and access among displaced populations including cultural sensitivity training for healthcare professionals and increased access to SRH information through community programs. Additionally, there is a significant gap in data on men’s SRH needs, highlighting the need for future research to address this deficiency and improve access and knowledge. Policymakers are urged to consider these findings to ensure that SRH services are accessible, culturally sensitive, and adequately resourced. Addressing these barriers through understanding the lived experiences of refugees and asylum seekers can significantly improve health outcomes and contribute to their overall well-being and integration into host communities. Description: B.A. (Hons)(Melit.) 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/129413 Title: Formal carers’ perspectives on elder abuse within a Maltese care home Abstract: Background: Countries across the globe are experiencing an ageing population. This leads to an increase in older persons’ dependency on others, increasing their likelihood of relocation to longterm care. Formal carers within care homes may be faced with various personal and situational risk factors leading older person residents to be at risk of elder abuse. Aims and Method: This research explored formal carers’ perspectives on elder abuse within a Maltese Care Home. A qualitative research strategy through semi-structured interviews with six formal carers explored, (1) formal carers’ understanding of elder abuse, (2) risk factors that lead a person to becoming abusive, (3) how formal carers perceive the Maltese legal system safeguards the older person from elder abuse and (4) formal carers’ insights into the current procedures, policies and measures with respect to elder abuse within a care home. Data was analysed through thematic analysis. Results: The analysis generated, four main themes, (1) formal carers’ perspectives on elder abuse, (2) personal and institutional challenges leading to elder abuse, (3) cultivating skills and training on elder abuse to formal carers and (4) empowering the older persons. Conclusion: Formal carers indicated no instances of elder abuse within the facility. Findings also revealed that formal carers associated elder abuse with verbal, emotional or psychological abuse. Individual and institutional challenges were construed to lead a person to become abusive. Finally, formal carers highlighted the importance of education on elder abuse. Recommendations include, (1) resident empowerment, (2) future research, (3) implementation of a proposed law and (4) training for formal carers from the facility’s management. Description: B.A. (Hons)(Melit.) 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z