“This course is like a compass to us” – a qualitative study on newly settled migrants’ perceptions of civic and health orientation in Sweden

BACKGROUND: Migrants face structural, socio-political barriers in their resettlement processes that negatively affect their health. Migration also adversely impacts resources such as social capital and health literacy that are of importance for health and integration into society. Hence, there is a need for health promotion in the early post-migration phase. In Sweden, newly settled refugee migrants who have received a residence permit are offered an Introduction programme including a civic orientation course. The program is intended to facilitate access to the labour market and promote integration. The aim of the study was to explore participants’ perceptions and experiences of a civic orientation course with added health communication. METHODS: We performed six focus group discussions: two in Arabic, two in Farsi and two in Somali. The discussions were facilitated by native speaking moderators. Participants were 32 men and women recruited from civic orientation classes in the county of Stockholm. We used an interview guide with semi-structured questions. The data were analysed using a method for content analysis for focus group discussions. RESULTS: Three main categories were identified: (1) ‘The course gives valuable information but needs adjustments’, which includes that the civic and health orientation is needed earlier, during the asylum phase, and that planning and course content need adjustments. (2) ‘The health communication inspired participants to focus on their health’, which includes that the health communication was useful and inspired uptake of healthier habits. (3) ‘Participation in the course promoted independence and self-confidence’, which includes that the course gave insights into society and values in Sweden, and promoted independence and new social contacts. CONCLUSION: This study adds knowledge about the users’ perspectives on the potential of civic orientation to promote the health and integration of newly settled migrants, describing ways in which civic orientation with added health communication promoted health and empowerment. However, the content and delivery of the course need adjustment to better fit the migrants’ life situations and varying pre-existing knowledge. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-021-11654-3.