Barriers to cervical cancer screening among ethnic minority women: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND: Ethnic minority women are less likely to attend cervical screening. AIM: To explore self-perceived barriers to cervical screening attendance among ethnic minority women compared to white British women. DESIGN: Qualitative interview study. SETTING: Community groups in ethnically diverse London boroughs. METHODS: Interviews were carried out with 43 women from a range of ethnic minority backgrounds (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Caribbean, African, Black British, Black other, White other) and 11 White British women. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using Framework analysis. RESULTS: Fifteen women had delayed screening/had never been screened. Ethnic minority women felt that there was a lack of awareness about cervical cancer in their community, and several did not recognise the terms 'cervical screening' or 'smear test'.…