This study aimed to identify major barriers to Papanicolaou (Pap) test uptake and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine acceptability. Three focus groups with 16 young Korean immigrant women residing in a community in the Midwest were conducted. Braun and Clarke’s six phases of thematic analysis were used to develop themes. Three major themes emerged as barriers: (a) limited knowledge about cervical cancer and preventive behaviors, (b) culture-specific barriers, and (c) low accessibility to health care services. These themes were multifactorial and interrelated barriers to Pap test uptake and HPV vaccine acceptability among young Korean immigrant women. These findings indicate that culturally tailored cervical cancer education is needed to promote Pap test uptake and HPV vaccination in this underserved population. © 2016, © The Author(s) 2016.

Cervical cancer HPV vaccine Barriers culture Cervical cancer prevention Korean immigrant women Pap test

information processing human early cancer diagnosis Early Detection of Cancer ethnology procedures qualitative research United States Humans migrant psychology Papillomavirus Vaccines Asian Americans Wart virus vaccine Emigrants and Immigrants Asian American female adult Papillomavirus Infections Uterine Cervical Neoplasms Papanicolaou Test patient attitude Patient Acceptance of Health Care Focus Groups Midwestern United States