Dudas Sagona, Alexandra. Identifying barriers to Hispanic women seeking human papillomavirus and cervical cancer screenings through focus groups with promotoras. Retrieved from https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/t3-k781-se48
DescriptionPurpose of the Project: Evidence suggests Hispanic women have a higher incidence of cervical cancer and lower rate of screening when compared to non-Hispanic White women. This trend predisposes Hispanic women to receive diagnosis at a later disease stage resulting in a higher mortality rate. The aim and objectives of this project were to connect with the Hispanic community through focus groups, identify barriers to human papillomavirus and cervical cancer screenings, and make recommendations regarding how these barriers may be addressed and overcome. Methodology: A descriptive qualitative approach was applied to present evidence-based questions using focus groups of promotoras to elucidate screening barriers for Hispanic women in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Participants who attended three focus groups were asked a series of evidence-based open-ended questions. Focus group recordings were transcribed immediately and data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Follow-up meetings with participants were held to ensure accuracy. Results: The main themes/barriers identified were culture and health care. The subthemes under culture included language, family dynamic, religion, immigration, and cultural norms. The subthemes under health care were perceptions of health care, low health literacy, and accessibility. Implications for Practice: Multidimensional interventions are needed to address screening barriers in this community. Recommendations include facilitating partnerships with community churches, educating health care providers and promotoras, researching natural remedies, and integrating Pap testing into prenatal visits. Further investigation surrounding the efficacy of these interventions is warranted.