Chinese-Australian Women’s Knowledge, Facilitators and Barriers Related to Cervical Cancer Screening: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Understanding the different facilitators and barriers to screening within cultural and ethnic groups is important for developing appropriate education and outreach programs to underserved groups. Qualitative methods were employed to gain a rich understanding of participant views. In-depth interviews were conducted with 18 Chinese Australian women in their native languages and analysed using content analysis. Knowledge of cervical cancer was low, and few participants understood the benefits and purpose of screening. Having a doctor's recommendation was a strong motivator, and returning for screening was encouraged by having a female Chinese doctor perform the exam, receiving a reminder letter and the absence of cost for screening participation. However, participation was inhibited by logistical barriers, cultural beliefs and previous painful screening experiences. A range of multifaceted facilitators and barriers must be considered when developing interventions to increase the rates of cervical screening in this population.

Perception of Breast Cancer Screening among Iranian Women without Experience of Mammography: A Qualitative Study

“…For instance, modesty, embarrassment and the need to show breasts to doctors especially mal doctors for screening are negative effects on a woman's decision making to participate in breast cancer screening. This is consistent with previous study; reported that physicians' gender can affect whether women decide performing screening behavior, such as Pap tests, mammography and clinical breast examination or not (Banning, 2009;Kwok, 2011;Taha, 2012;Kwon, 2013).…”

Immigration, Participation in Health Services and Social Occupations: A Literature Review

“…33,42 Others had applied interviews or self-report questionnaires to study participants' knowledge, and attitude towards and participation in health care services. [30][31][32]35,37,40 Participation in community and social occupations was mostly identified through questionnaires or interviews, in either self-reported data or narratives that were later interpreted in these studies. 29,37,38,40,43 It seems there was no consensus in either the definition or the way the concept of participation was approached and measured within the context of immigration studies.…”

“…[30][31][32] Family attitudes and support were also important. 33,34 For women in particular, their spouses' attitudes or permission were important factors, which may help or hinder participation.…”

“…35 A stable life situation after immigration was an enabling factor for participating in more social occupations and health-related services, 34 as was having financial support or the time available. 35 Free access to services such as cancer screening, 32 and accessibility in terms of transport and language support services were all considered as enabling factors. 36 Understanding the language and having cultural familiarity were important in recognising opportunities for activity, 33,37 as were people's exposure to positive experiences suggested by others, particularly other immigrants.…”

“…33,42 Other studies explored or measured participation via interview or questionnaire. [30][31][32]35,40,42,43 Other kinds of participation involved attendance at a social event, doing something with others or attending an activity that may include another person. 29,34,36,37,39,44 Almost all the health-related service participation studies had considered participation through an objective method of attendance and dropouts.…”