Materials and MethodsElectronic databases were queried for full text, English language, peer reviewed literature published between 2000 and 2011. These were: Medline (OVID), PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CINAHL Plus, Google Scholar, and Index Medicus for WHO Eastern Mediterranean. The Asian Pac J Cancer Prev was searched separately. Keywords that were used singularly and in combination were: Arab, Middle East, Gulf, women, breast cancer, screening, culture, mammography, beliefs, knowledge, attitude, barriers, facilitators. CINAHL Plus, Medline OVID, and PubMed were searched for breast cancer screening and each Arab country separately. Reference lists from relevant articles were studied to identify additional articles to include in the review. A total of 444 articles were found.

Purpose: To explore perspectives of Somali refugees on FGM/C and potential changes in these after migration. Methods: Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted in Denver, Colorado, US, with 13 Somali refugees. Thematic content analysis was used to analyze the data. Findings: Change of perspectives regarding the support of FGM/C were noted among all participants, with most opposing infibulations, FGM/C type III, after migration but supporting Sunna, the cutting of the clitoris, FGM/C type I. Changes were prompted by education on FGM/C and resettling resulting in an awareness that infibulation, is not a religious requirement nor undergone by all women. Cultural beliefs regarding the importance of virginity, purity and honor to the family underpinning the rationale of FGM/C, were prevalent and some confusion in dealing with these cultural values was found. Women reported health care providers (HCP) not being culturally prepared for women with FGM/C. Research Implications: Despite limitations to the study, findings indicate the complex process of migration and acculturation, leaving communities with cultural values in a context where these are not accepted. More research and discussion with the Somali immigrant community is required to better understand the practice of FGM/C after immigration, and how to deal with these cultural values. Originality/value: Findings suggest some girls may still be at risk of some types of FGM/C after migration. Public health professionals, social and immigration workers should be aware of a potential risk. HCPs should prepare for caring for women with FGM/C.

ObjectivesThis pilot study aimed to evaluate the acceptability of a codesigned, culturally tailored, faith-based online intervention to increase uptake of breast, colorectal and cervical screening in Scottish Muslim women. The intervention was codesigned with Scottish Muslim women (n=10) and underpinned by the reframe, reprioritise and reform model and the behaviour change wheel.SettingThe study was conducted online, using Zoom, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.ParticipantsParticipants (n=18) taking part in the intervention and subsequently in its evaluation, were Muslim women residing in Scotland, recruited through purposive and snowball sampling from a mosque and community organisations. Participants were aged between 25 years and 54 years and of Asian and Arab ethnicity.DesignThe study’s codesigned intervention included (1) a peer-led discussion of barriers to screening, (2) a health education session led by a healthcare provider, (3) videos of Muslim women’s experiences of cancer or screening, and (4) a religious perspective on cancer screening delivered by a female religious scholar (alimah). The intervention was delivered twice online in March 2021, followed 1 week later by two focus groups, consisting of the same participants, respectively, to discuss participants’ experiences of the intervention. Focus group transcripts were analysed thematically.ResultsParticipants accepted the content and delivery of the intervention and were positive about their experience of the intervention. Participants reported their knowledge of screening had increased and shared positive views towards cancer screening. They valued the multidimensional delivery of the intervention, appreciated the faith-based perspective, and in particular liked the personal stories and input from a healthcare provider.ConclusionParticipatory and community-centred approaches can play an important role in tackling health inequalities in cancer and its screening. Despite limitations, the intervention showed potential and was positively received by participants. Feasibility testing is needed to investigate effectiveness on a larger scale in a full trial.

Breast cancer is a public health threat in the State of Qatar. It is the most common cancer and the incidence rate is increasing. It has been found that women often present with breast cancer at advanced stages in Qatar. Early detection of breast cancer is an important prognostic factor and breast cancer screening has been found successful in decreasing mortality rates. The percentage of women in Qatar engaging in screening activities is alarmingly low. A study has been designed to examine barriers and facilitators that are potentially influencing women in participating in breast cancer screening activities. Understanding these barriers and facilitators is essential in order to create a culturally appropriate and effective intervention that can encourage women in Qatar to participate in screening activities. In this paper the background to the study is presented which highlights the magnitude of the breast cancer problem in Qatar and offers the rationale and information for this potentially groundbreaking study.

ObjectivesThis study aimed to explore how adult patients who received free mission-based elective surgery experienced surgery and its outcomes, in order to provide recommendations for improved service delivery, measurement of impact and future quality initiatives for the humanitarian organisation Mercy Ships and other mission-based surgical platforms.SettingData were collected in June 2017 in Cotonou, Benin, where the participants had previously received free mission-based elective surgery aboard the Africa Mercy, a non-governmental hospital ship.ParticipantsSixteen patients (seven male, nine female, age range 22–71, mean age 43.25) who had previously received surgical care aboard the Africa Mercy hospital ship between September 2016 and May 2017 participated in the study.MethodsUsing a qualitative design, 16 individual semistructured interviews were conducted with the assistance of two interpreters. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling from the Mercy Ships patient database. Interview data were coded and organised into themes and subthemes using thematic content analysis in an interpretivist approach.FindingsAnalysis of interview data revealed three main themes: barriers to surgery, experiences with Mercy Ships and changes in perspectives of surgery after their experiences. Key findings included barriers to local surgical provision such as cost, a noteworthy amount of fear and distrust of local surgical teams, exceptional positive experiences with the care at Mercy Ships, and impactful surgery, resulting in high levels of trust in foreign surgical teams.ConclusionsWhile foreign surgical teams are meeting an immediate need for surgical care, the potential enduring legacy is one of trusting only foreigners for surgery. Patients are a critical component to a well-functioning surgical system, and mission-based surgical providers must formulate strategies to mitigate this legacy while strengthening the local surgical system.