Cervical cancer knowledge and barriers and facilitators to screening among women in two rural communities in Guatemala: a qualitative study
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Authors
Bevilacqua, Kristin G.
Gottschlich, Anna
Murchland, Audrey R.
Alvarez, Christian S.
Rivera-Andrade, Alvaro
Meza, Rafael
Issue Date
2022-05-28
Type
Article
Language
en_US
Keywords
Cervical Cancer , Cervical Cancer Screening , Barriers and Facilitators , Health Disparities
Alternative Title
Abstract
Background:
Approximately 80% of deaths due to cervical cancer occur in low- and middle-income countries. In Guatemala, limited access to effective screening and treatment has resulted in alarmingly high cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates. Despite access to free-of-cost screening, women continue to face significant barriers in obtaining screening for cervical cancer.
Methods:
In-depth interviews (N = 21) were conducted among women in two rural communities in Guatemala. Interviews followed a semi-structured guide to explore knowledge related to cervical cancer and barriers and facilitators to cervical cancer screening.
Results:
Cervical cancer knowledge was variable across sites and across women. Women reported barriers to screening including ancillary costs, control by male partners, poor provider communication and systems-level resource constraints. Facilitators to screening included a desire to know one’s own health status, conversations with other women, including community health workers, and extra-governmental health campaigns.
Conclusions:
Findings speak to the many challenges women face in obtaining screening for cervical cancer in their communities as well as existing facilitators. Future interventions must focus on improving cervical cancer-related knowledge as well as mitigating barriers and leveraging facilitators to promote screening.
Description
Citation
Bevilacqua, K. G., Gottschlich, A., Murchland, A. R., Alvarez, C. S., Rivera-Andrade, A., & Meza, R. (2022). Cervical cancer knowledge and barriers and facilitators to screening among women in two rural communities in Guatemala: a qualitative study. BMC women's health, 22(1), 197. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-022-01778-y
Publisher
BMC Women's Health