Preferences of Underserved Chilean Women on a Mobile Technology Intervention for Cervical Cancer Screening: Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background. In Chile and Latin America, cervical cancer disproportionately affects women of low socioeconomic status. Mobile technology (mHealth) may be able to address this disparity by targeting women in underserved populations. However, there is a lack of information regarding barriers to the implementation of mHealth interventions in underserved populations.Methods. We conducted nine focus groups among women 25-64 years of age to better understand the implementation barriers and perceptions of a text message-based intervention designed to improve cervical cancer screening rates. We used the PRECEDE PROCEED model to categorize identified themes using template analysis.Results. Focus group results indicated that older women use mobile phones to receive calls from family and friends but seldom send text messages. They also prefer personal contact with their health care providers regarding Pap testing. Younger women, on the other hand, find text messaging easy to use, and frequently send texts to family and friends. Importantly, women of all ages mentioned they would like to receive text messages about Pap tests.Factors that facilitate uptake of the intervention include ease of access to Pap testing, inclusion of family members, and reminder messaging. Potential barriers include cost and the impersonal nature of messaging. Health team members support an mHealth intervention even though they acknowledge the potential barriers to this strategy.These results overall support the implementation of an mHealth intervention to increase cervical cancer screening rates.Conclusion: Our study describes the opinions of women non-adherent to Pap testing on the potential use of mobile technologies for cervical cancer screening. Although overall acceptance was positive, older women prefer personal contact and phone calls over text messaging. Information surrounding these preferences will aid in the implementation of effective strategies to improve cancer screening in underserved populations.

Developing SMS Content to Promote Papanicolaou Triage Among Women Who Performed HPV Self-collection Test: Qualitative Study

“…In our study, both women and health authorities were against receiving results via SMS, mainly because they considered that this type of news must be provided in a face-to-face health consultation so that the patients are able to ask questions and get rid of their doubts. The women's rejection of receiving results by SMS was also mentioned in a study conducted in Chile, which found that Chilean women expressed concerns regarding the impersonal nature of the communication by SMS to communicate medical results [33]. Similarly, a colorectal cancer screening study in the United States found that patients did not want to receive results via SMS [57], particularly as it was not an appropriate communication mode to receive what they considered to be bad news.…”

“…In addition, it is important to use keywords to make the content clear without upsetting the recipient [30][31][32]. A study conducted in Chile about the SMS preferences of underscreened women showed that clarity and simplicity of the received message were very important for them [33]. The legitimacy of the sender and privacy issues, such as disclosing a result to a third person in shared cell phones, have also been shown to be relevant topics on SMS content [34,35].…”

Deteksi dini kanker serviks pada wanita usia subur

“…Dalam melakukan deteksi Dini pada kanker serviks pada wanita usia subur dapat dilakukan dengan pendekatan mengunakan via telepon dan SMS dimana wanita menerima telepon dan sms dengan Waatshap Sebagai salah satu pengingat untuk melakukan pemeriksaan ke Puskesmas. Dan tenaga kesehatan atau bidan dapat mengingatkan untuk melakukan kunjungan ke tenaga kesehatan untuk ke pelayanan kesehatan yang terdekat kesehatan (Soto et al, 2018).…”

“…Hambatan yang kedua masalah ekonomi yang masih rendah karena sebagian besar wanita mempunyai masalah ekonomi yang rendah untuk melakukan deteksi dini ataupun pemeriksaan ke pelayanan kesehatan (Soto et al, 2018). Untuk melakukan deteksi dini pada wanita masih banyak yang kahawatir dan takut pada efek samping terjadi ketika setelah melakukan pemeriksaan di pelayanan kesehatan (Ragan et al, 2018).…”

“…Sesuai dengan penelitian Soto et al, (2018) Mengatakan hambatan yang sering terjadi pada wanita untuk melakukan deteksi dini yaitu masalah ekonomi yang masih rendah, masalah sosial dan efek samping yang terjadi setelah melakukan pemerisaan ditenaga Kesehatan.…”