Understanding cervical cancer screening barriers among migrant women ; a qualitative study with healthcare and community workers in portugal

Abstract

Funding Information: The first author received a grant from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) [grant number PD/BD/135771/2018], for her PhD. This study was supported by ELE-VATE??EarLy dEtection of cerVical cAncer in hard-to-reach populations of women through port-able and point-of-care HPV Testing?, financed by the European Union?s Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Action (project number 825747). Funding Information: Funding: The first author received a grant from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) [grant number PD/BD/135771/2018], for her PhD. This study was supported by ELEVATE—"EarLy dEtection of cerVical cAncer in hard-to-reach populations of women through portable and point-of-care HPV Testing", financed by the European Union's Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Action (project number 825747). Publisher Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. Copyright: Copyright 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved. ; Cervical cancer screening (CCS) has been proven to reducing mortality of cervical cancer; yet migrant women show a lower participation in screening compared to non-migrants. This study explores the perspectives of healthcare workers and community workers on the factors influencing the CCS participation of migrant women living in Portugal. A qualitative study with online focus groups was conducted. Healthcare workers experienced in CCS and community workers working with migrant communities were purposively sampled. A semi-structured guide was used covering the participation of migrant women in CCS, barriers, and strategies to overcome them. Data were analyzed using content analysis. Participants considered that migrant women have low participation in CCS related to insufficient knowledge, low risk perception, and lack of interest on preventive care. Other barriers such as difficulties in accessing the healthcare services, relationship with healthcare workers, language, and cultural differences were highlighted. Promoting continuity of care, disseminating culturally tailored information, and use of self-sampling methods were suggested to improve participation in CCS. Inequalities in access to CCS among migrant women are mostly caused by information gaps and healthcare system-related barriers. Building a migrant-friendly healthcare system that creates opportunities for healthcare workers to establish relationships with their patients and delivering culturally and linguistically adapted information may contribute to overcoming those barriers and increasing the participation of migrant women in screening. ; publishersversion ; published