Barriers and facilitators of cervical cancer screening practices among African immigrant women living in Brisbane, Australia

The global incidence of cancer is rising, and low-income and lower-middle-income countries have the worst figures. However, knowledge of cervical cancer prevention and cervical cancer screening practices remains poor in these regions. This study assessed the concept of health literacy as a potential determinant of knowledge of cervical cancer prevention and screening practices among female undergraduates. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 385 female undergraduates at a university in southwest Nigeria. A validated questionnaire composed of subscales on nine components of health literacy, knowledge of cervical cancer prevention, and cervical cancer screening practices was used for data collection. The majority of the respondents obtained a high score on most of the components of health literacy and 66% had good knowledge of cervical cancer prevention. Only 11% demonstrated good practices of Pap smear testing. Of all the components of health literacy, “feeling understood and supported by healthcare providers” (OR = 0.075; 95% CI [0.036–0.115]; p = 0.015) and “understanding health information well enough to know what to do” (OR = 0.055; 95% CI [0.006–0.104]; p = 0.029) were significantly associated with knowledge of cervical cancer prevention. Out of the major challenges related to cervical cancer screening among undergraduates, the feeling of being at risk (OR = 4.71; p < 0.05) and uncomfortable experiences from past screening (OR = 0.12; p < 0.05) were significantly associated with going for cervical cancer screening. The study concluded that levels of health literacy influenced knowledge of cervical cancer prevention among female undergraduates, but it did not affect their engagement in cervical cancer screening practices.

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Social Support Among Latina Immigrant Women: Bridge Persons as Mediators of Cervical Cancer Screening

Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health ◽

10.1007/s10903-006-6343-0 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 67-84 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Melanie R. Wasserman ◽

Deborah E. Bender ◽

Shoou-Yih Lee ◽

Joseph P. Morrissey ◽

Ted Mouw ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Cervical Cancer ◽

Cancer Screening ◽

Cervical Cancer Screening ◽

Immigrant Women ◽

Latina Immigrant Women

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International barriers and facilitators for cervical cancer screening among young people: a systematic review

10.22541/au.159620944.40309212/v2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Abirami Kirubarajan ◽

Shannon Leung ◽

Xinglin Li ◽

Matthew Yau ◽

Mara Sobel

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Cervical Cancer ◽

Cancer Screening ◽

Young People ◽

Cervical Cancer Screening ◽

Low Income ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Barriers And Facilitators ◽

Low Income Countries ◽

Age Group

Background Though cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of death globally, its incidence is nearly entirely preventable. Young people have been an international priority for screening. However, in both high-income and low-income countries, young people have not been screened appropriately according to country-specific guidelines and in many countries, screening rates for this age-group have even dropped. Objectives The aim of this systematic review was to systematically characterize the existing literature on barriers and facilitators for cervical cancer screening among young people globally. Search Strategy We conducted a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines of four databases: Medline-OVID, EMBASE, CINAHL, and ClinicalTrials.Gov. Selection Criteria We only examined original, peer-reviewed literature. Databases were examined from inception until the date of our literature searches (12/03/2020). Articles were excluded if they did not specifically discuss cervical cancer screening, were not specific to young people, or did not report outcomes or evaluation. Data Collection and Analysis All screening and extraction was completed in duplicate with two independent reviewers. Main Results Of the 2177 original database citations, we included 36 studies that met inclusion criteria. Our systematic review found that there are three large categories of barriers for young people: lack of knowledge/awareness, negative perceptions of the test, and practical barriers to testing. Facilitators included stronger relationships with healthcare providers, social norms, support from family, and self-efficacy. Conclusions Health systems worldwide should address the barriers and facilitators to increase cervical cancer screening rates in young people. Further research is required to understand this age group.

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Barriers to Under-Utilization of Cervical Cancer Screening Services and Practices Among Asian Immigrant Women in Canada : A Review of Literature

10.32920/ryerson.14664687.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Karen Kieu Giang Chung

Keyword(s):

Cervical Cancer ◽

Cancer Screening ◽

Cervical Cancer Screening ◽

Immigrant Women ◽

Cultural Beliefs ◽

Southeast Asian ◽

Physician Education ◽

Asian Immigrant ◽

Women's Participation ◽

Screening Services

This paper was among the first to critically examine literature on factors that impede Southeast Asian immigrant women's access and utilization of cervical cancer screening services. 46 articles examining Southeast Asian women and their utilization of Pap testing were analyzed using the core concepts of the Health Belief Model. Individual perceptions, (i.e. Asian cultural beliefs and traditions), and cues to action (i.e. physician recommendations) were most influencing on Southeast Asian immigrant women's participation of cervical cancer screening services. Proposed recommendations from reviewed literature were examined, addressing solutions that can potentially minimize these factors. Providing Asian immigrant women with culturally and linguistically appropriate education materials, and increased physician education were the most frequent recommendations proposed in the literature. More field research is needed in this area, including the development of culturally-sensitive interventions and strategies for enhancing Southeast Asian women's participation in cervical cancer screening.

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