Barriers and Challenges to Cervical Cancer Screening, Follow.Up, and Prevention Measures among Korean Immigrant Women in Hawaii

Abstract

Objective: Despite being the fastest-growing population in the United States, Asian American women have one of the lowest cancer screening rates and the least attention given to cancer-related research. Cervical cancer screening disparities among Korean immigrant women (KIWs) in Hawaii have been reported. Methods: The qualitative ethnographic study was to explore the health barriers and challenges of cervical cancer prevention among KIWs in Hawaii. The Social Ecological Model was used to guide the study. Data were collected using individual structured interviews with 20 KIWs aged 21–65 years. The data were coded and analyzed to identify themes in exploring health barriers. Results: The findings revealed that participants (a) lacked knowledge about the U.S. health-care system; (b) lacked access; (c) had limited resources regarding cervical cancer screening communicated in Korean; (d) lacked an understanding of cultural and psychosocial beliefs on preventive care; (e) lacked female and Korean-speaking providers; and (f) experienced language barriers and limited coverage of health insurance. Conclusions: A multicomponent intervention combining individual and community-based, Internet-accessible, culturally, and linguistically appropriate approaches may enhance effective cervical cancer screening rates and positive health outcomes among KIWs in Hawaii.

Cervical Cancer Screening Uptake and Experiences of Black African Immigrant Women in Canada

“…Previous studies have also drawn on the socioecological perspective to examine barriers to cervical screening and mammography among different immigrant women in Europe and North America ( Ali et al, 2021 ; Cha & Chun, 2021 ) and among Somali immigrant women in Norway and in the United States ( Gele et al, 2017 ; Ghebre et al, 2015 ). In this study, the participants’ personal characteristics, including their knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, marital status, immigration status, language barriers, and family backgrounds were considered as influential individual level forces.…”

“…As the literature confirms, no single factor serves as a primary barrier to cervical screening for all immigrant or ethnocultural minority women, given their varying histories, circumstances, and interactions with healthcare services, thus making this a complex phenomenon to understand. Qualitative studies conducted on the cervical screening practices of Canada’s highly diverse immigrant population have tended to focus on immigrants from a specific country of origin; for example, studies conducted among women of Asian, Korean, Chinese, and Arab descent suggest that barriers to screening include women’s limited knowledge about screening and cervical cancer, language barriers, transportation, childcare, low socioeconomic status, preference for a female physician, fatalistic beliefs, and modesty ( Cha & Chun, 2021 ; Hulme et al, 2016 ; Redwood-Campbell et al, 2011 ).…”

Cancer nurses, are we really contributing to reduce burden via cancer prevention?

“…There are clear differences between countries that shows the burden of cancer is much higher in low- and middle-income countries, but even in a same country and city, the outcomes differ depending on where the individual lives as well as their socio-economic status age and education. 5 …”

“…Inequities in access to prevention and resources for screening and cancer care are affecting, for example elderly people, people with disabilities, and/or underserved or unrepresented minority groups. 5 …”