RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Barriers to cervical cancer screening among rural women in eastern China: a qualitative study
JF BMJ Open
JO BMJ Open
FD British Medical Journal Publishing Group
SP e026413
DO 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-026413
VO 9
IS 3
A1 Huan Yang
A1 Shun-Ping Li
A1 Qing Chen
A1 Christopher Morgan
YR 2019
UL http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/9/3/e026413.abstract
AB Objectives To explore barriers to free cervical cancer screening among rural women in China from the perspective of women, healthcare providers and women’s husbands to inform intervention planning.Design A qualitative study framed around potential policy and practice options, drawing on the concepts of descriptive phenomenology and implementation research.Setting This study was carried out at township level within two counties in Jining Prefecture of eastern China.Participants and data collection Semi-structured in-depth interviews with 21 women and five healthcare providers, focus group discussions with nine healthcare providers and key informant interviews with four husbands of women eligible for screening.Results Thematic analysis generated five major themes: (1) gaps in knowledge of cervical cancer and health awareness, (2) fear of cancer and screening outcomes, (3) cultural barriers including reticence for intimate examinations, (4) influence of close contacts on screening decisions and (5) inconvenience. These demonstrate key knowledge gaps challenging current community health education. Important barriers, including fear of treatment cost and the time needed for screening, were also raised.Conclusion Our study details important barriers to cervical cancer screening relating to knowledge gaps, attitudes of fear or embarrassment and the role of contacts and service models. These provide data for policy and planning to improve the screening that will decrease the incidence and mortality rates of cervical cancer in China.