City Research Online

Abstract

Aim:
To understand young women’s views of cervical screening, what obstacles they face, and what encourages them when considering attending their cervical screening.

Background:
Cervical screening figures have been steadily decreasing in the United Kingdom (UK). There is limited research on this trend, especially around views and knowledge of young women, aged 20–24 years, have before they are eligible for cervical screening.

Methods:
This qualitative study conducted 15 semi-structured Zoom in-depth interviews to discuss young women’s knowledge and perceptions of cervical screening in 2022. Participants were based in the UK. Thematic analysis was used to systematically manage, analyse, and identify themes including cervical screening knowledge; perceptions of cervical screening; barriers to cervical screening; and facilitators of cervical screening.

Findings:
The findings demonstrate significant gaps in knowledge and negative perceptions of cervical screening. Barriers to attending cervical screening were perceived pain and embarrassment. Facilitators suggested to promote attendance were ensuring access to appointments, creating pop-up clinics, and utilising incentives. The level of knowledge demonstrated by the participants, their negatively framed perceptions; and the vast number of barriers identified present substantial factors that could affect future attendance to cervical screening. Overall, action needs to be taken to prevent decreasing cervical screening attendance rates and eradicate any barriers women may experience.

Publication Type:	Article
Additional Information:	© The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press. This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (https://creative commons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution and reproduction, provided the original article is properly cited.
Publisher Keywords:	Cervical cancer screening; barriers; facilitators; qualitative research; interviews; women’s health
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology H Social Sciences > HM Sociology R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine R Medicine > RG Gynecology and obstetrics
Departments:	School of Health & Psychological Sciences School of Health & Psychological Sciences > Nursing
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic Administrator

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