Camilla Rahr Tatari

“Well, that Was Pretty Clever!”—Ethnic Minority Women’s Views on HPV Self-Sampling Devices for Cervical Cancer Screening: Attitudes to Brushes, First-Void Urine, and Menstrual Blood Devices

Abstract Background Ethnic minority women are less likely to participate in cervical cancer uteri (CCU) screening compared to native women. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling kits for CCU screening may be a potential strategy to increase participation. This study aimed to explore views and attitudes on four different types of self-sampling kits (two brushes, a first-void urine device, and a menstrual blood device) among non-Western ethnic minority women living in Denmark. Methods The study was a social science single case study based on focus group interviews with 30 women aged 32–54 with non-Western background from a deprived area. A phenomenological approach was applied to describe the phenomenon “self-sampling” as seen from the women’s lifeworlds. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using systematic text condensation. Results The women expressed significant interest in the possibility of using HPV self-sampling kits as an alternative to being screened by their general practitioner. They were particularly motivated to use the non-invasive self-sampling kits for CCU screening as they were deemed suitable for addressing cultural beliefs related to their bodies and virginity. The women expressed interest in the use of the invasive self-sampling kits but were cautious, primarily due to lack of confidence in correctly performing self-sampling with a brush and due to cultural beliefs. Conclusion The use of non-invasive self-sampling kits, such as a first-void urine collection device and menstrual blood pad, represents a promising solution to overcome cultural barriers and promote greater equality in CCU screening participation among non-Western ethnic minority women.

The SWIM study: Ethnic minority women's ideas and preferences for a tailored intervention to promote national cancer screening programmes—A qualitative interview study

AbstractBackgroundEthnic minority women from non‐Western countries are less likely than the native women to participate in screening programmes for cervical cancer, breast cancer and colorectal cancer. This social inequality can result in loss of possibility for prevention, delayed diagnosis and treatment and, ultimately, lower chance of survival. Developing a tailored intervention might be the solution to reduce social inequalities in cancer screening, and a key feature in intervention research is to consult the target group.ObjectiveTo explore ethnic minority women's own ideas and preferences for a cancer screening intervention and identify their attitudes to different strategies.MethodsAn interview study with five focus group interviews, two group interviews with an interpreter and three individual interviews. Thirty‐seven women from 10 non‐Western countries contributed to the study. The interviews were audio‐recorded and transcribed verbatim followed by a thematic analysis.ResultsAccording to the women, a tailored intervention should focus on knowledge in the form of face‐to‐face teaching. The women further suggested information material in their own language with a simple, positive and concrete communication strategy. They would like to be involved in an awareness strategy and share the knowledge with their network.ConclusionEthnic minority women were interested in a tailored intervention, and they were keen to contribute with ideas and preferences. The findings emphasized the potential of a tailored intervention with specific suggestions to the content when attempting to reduce inequality in cancer screening participation.Patient or Public ContributionMinority women were involved in the interview study.