Before You Teach Me, I Cannot Know': Immigrant Women's Barriers and Enablers with Regard to Cervical Cancer Screening Among Different Ethnolinguistic Groups in Canada (Qualitative Research) (Report‪)‬

Regular cervical cancer screening is an effective way to prevent cervical cancer in women. (1,2) Despite its availability in Canada, immigrant women continue to be underscreened, leading to delayed diagnosis and a higher morbidity and mortality from cervical cancer. (3-5) According to theories of health behaviour change, the perceived barriers to and benefits of preventive health screening likely influence patients' screening involvement. (6) Barriers to cervical cancer screening in ethnocultural groups and women of lower socioeconomic status have been described, and include lack of exposure and education around preventive screening, as well as cultural or religious barriers around pelvic examination. (3,7-9) A 2008 systematic review of US studies examined socio-cultural factors influencing cervical cancer screening but reported that it was difficult to draw conclusions across studies due to heterogeneity of study design. (10) In addition, the studies available for review were conducted primarily in Asian and Hispanic women. Given the diversity of ethnolinguistic groups in North America, it is important to understand the similarities and differences between groups in order to create public health interventions that will be relevant across multiple groups, to use resources efficiently and to target the most women with a single program or strategy.