Endometriosis and cultural diversity: the experience of minority ethnic women.

‘Endometriosis and cultural diversity’ (the Endocul project) explored the experience of women from minority ethnic groups living
with endometriosis and their needs for culturally specific information and support. The study focused on five minority ethnic
groups: African Caribbean, Chinese, Greek/Greek Cypriot, Indian and Pakistani.
The project aimed to develop, in collaboration with community groups and patients, evidence based and culturally sensitive
resources for women with endometriosis from these communities and for the health professionals providing services to them.
In order to meet this aim primary research was first conducted with women from community groups, women with endometriosis
from the target communities, and health professionals
This paper is concerned with individual interviews with minority ethnic women with endometriosis. Semi-structured interviews
were conducted with women from each community (n=29) which focused on the meaning of endometriosis in their lives, their
experience of health service provision, and their information needs.
The women studied had many similar experiences and concerns to other women previously reported in the literature (e.g.
Denny, 2004; Gilmour and Huntington 2005, Seear, 2009). They also identified cultural factors as having an impact on their
experience of endometriosis and of health services. These factors centre on the role of women and the importance of
reproduction within their communities, and the influence of religious beliefs.
Cultural values can generate unique meanings and experiences of endometriosis. In order to develop culturally sensitive
resources and services for women these need to be incorporated, whilst resisting essentialising culture as a fixed and bounded
concept.