Perceived Barriers and Facilitators in Accessing Cervical Cancer Screening

Abstract

Although advancements in cervical cancer prevention have helped reduce the incidence, mortality, and prevalence, access to these preventive services has not been experienced equally by all women in the United States. The purpose of this study was to learn about the factors that affect access to preventive services in a low-income, primarily Black community. Using a community-based participatory research approach, women were recruited to participate in 7 focus groups, with 6 to 8 women per group (N = 45). Participants were mainly Black (64%), with a mean age of 46 years, and 60% reporting completing at least some college. The discussions were transcribed, and text data were organized using Dedoose software. Guided by qualitative content analysis, the data were analyzed through an iterative process of coding and condensing the codes into themes. Ten types of barriers and 11 facilitators relating to cervical cancer screening access were identified and grouped into 7 themes. Participants provided suggestions for promoting cervical cancer screening in their community. On the basis of the findings of the data, the researchers conceptualized and mapped culturally and geographically appropriate interventions to promote cervical cancer screening within the community of interest.

Black women's distress matters: Examining gendered racial disparities in psycho‐oncology referral rates

“…In alignment with approaches to evaluate and modify healthcare policy, engaging in community‐based participatory research 43,44 that seeks to understand and document the lived experiences of Black women living with cancer can benefit this line of research to inform clinical practice. These community‐engaged research approaches have helped to identify barriers and facilitators to treatment for racial/ethnic minorities, 45 including as applied to cancer 46 . Lastly, it is critical to continually utilize culturally informed, systems‐level theoretical frameworks to examine and act on health disparities and health equity practices, especially for Black women living with cancer due to the unique experiences of gendered racism they experience.…”

Knowledge, attitudes, and practice of the Pap smear test in female college students attending a global university in the United States

“…This is consistent with several international studies pointing that female providers are more likely to discuss screening and perform Pap smears than their male counterparts. (Kayser et al, 2022; Rochoy et al, 2017; Samten et al, 2021). There are also some strengths to this quality improvement project.…”

Individual and Community-Related Barriers Influencing the Utilization of Cervical Cancer Treatment in Selected Hospitals in Abeokuta South, Ogun State, Nigeria

“…Another finding of this study which observed that, factors relating to the socio-cultural beliefs or locations of patients may act as barrier to their consumption of available cervical cancer treatment options has been able to shed light on how the location and sociocultural or economic advantages or disadvantages imposed of a community can limit the access to cervical cancer treatment. Earlier studies like Mantula (2022), Kayser, et al (2022) and Getachew et al (2019) have all pointed out how community-related barriers can create barrier to consumption of cervical cancer treatment measures, and hence, give credence to the current outcome.…”