Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved
Volume 29, Issue 3, 2018, Pages 881-897

We should know ourselves: Burmese and bhutanese refugee women’s perspectives on cervical cancer screening (Article)

Lor B. , Ornelas I.J.* , Magarati M. , Do H.H. , Zhang Y. , Jackson J.C. , Taylor V.M.
  • a Department of Health Services, University of Washington, United States
  • b Department of Health Services, University of Washington, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, United States
  • c Indigenous Wellness Research Institute, School of Social Work, University of Washington, United States
  • d Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, United States
  • e Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, United States
  • f Department of General Internal Medicine, University of Washington, International Medicine Clinic at Harborview Medical Center, United States
  • g Department of Health Services, University of Washington, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, United States

Abstract

Refugee women are at increased risk for cervical cancer and have low rates of cervical cancer screening both in their countries of origin and in the U.S. Using the Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations as a conceptual framework, we conducted eight focus groups with Burmese and Bhutanese refugee women to gather information about factors influencing cervical cancer screening (31 Burmese and 27 Bhutanese participants). Less than one-third (28%) reported being screened for cervical cancer before coming to the U.S. and only 45% reported being screened after resettling in the U.S. Participants had limited knowledge about cervical cancer and the need for screening, and faced multiple barriers including competing priorities and cost. However, trusted providers and interpreters were seen as means of facilitating screening. Cervical cancer screening among Bhutanese and Burmese refugee women could be improved with culturally tailored health education and increased access to female providers and trained interpreters. © Meharry Medical College.

Author Keywords

Cervical cancer Screening Women’s health focus groups Refugee

Index Keywords

information processing refugee human Refugees middle aged Asian continental ancestry group statistics and numerical data early cancer diagnosis Aged Early Detection of Cancer ethnology Bhutan United States Young Adult Humans psychology female Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice adult Uterine Cervical Neoplasms uterine cervix tumor attitude to health Focus Groups
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85056982563&doi=10.1353%2fhpu.2018.0066&partnerID=40&md5=e43152334b861c28abf709ce17db57c9
DOI: 10.1353/hpu.2018.0066
ISSN: 10492089
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English