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Hald SR, Tatari CR, Kirkegaard P, Tranberg M, Andersen B, Nielsen CP. "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. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2024:10.1007/s40615-024-01963-9. [PMID: 38472631 DOI: 10.1007/s40615-024-01963-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Signe Ruby Hald
- Department of Public Health Programmes, Randers Regional Hospital, University Research Clinic for Cancer Screening, Randers, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Camilla Rahr Tatari
- Department of Public Health Programmes, Randers Regional Hospital, University Research Clinic for Cancer Screening, Randers, Denmark.
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Pia Kirkegaard
- Department of Public Health Programmes, Randers Regional Hospital, University Research Clinic for Cancer Screening, Randers, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Mette Tranberg
- Department of Public Health Programmes, Randers Regional Hospital, University Research Clinic for Cancer Screening, Randers, Denmark
- Department of Pathology, Randers Regional Hospital, Randers, Denmark
| | - Berit Andersen
- Department of Public Health Programmes, Randers Regional Hospital, University Research Clinic for Cancer Screening, Randers, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Camilla Palmhøj Nielsen
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- DEFACTUM, Public Health Research, Central Denmark Region, Aarhus, Denmark
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Tatari CR, Andersen B, Kirkegaard P. "We're the very bottom, so it's going to be hard for you to 'catch any fish' around here…" understanding vulnerable Greenlanders' perspectives on cancer and barriers to screening in Denmark- A qualitative study. Int J Equity Health 2024; 23:11. [PMID: 38254148 PMCID: PMC10802048 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-024-02094-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer is a major global health concern. Unfortunately, Indigenous populations such as Greenlanders living in Denmark, face significant disparities in cancer risk, incidence, diagnosis, care quality, and outcomes. In Denmark, vulnerable Greenlanders face challenges accessing cancer screening. The aim of this study was to explore their perceptions of cancer, barriers to participation in cancer screening, and potential for developing a tailored intervention. METHODS This qualitative study was based on participant observations and qualitative interviews. The sample comprised 46 participants from four distinct drop-in centres. Of these, 28 were vulnerable Greenlanders (19 women and 9 men), 9 were staff members (6 women and 3 men), and 6 were relatives (4 women and 2 men). The data were analysed through inductive content analysis. RESULTS Vulnerable Greenlanders in Denmark believed they were responsible for their own health and were generally satisfied with the healthcare system. However, they found it challenging to manage their own health and many depended on support from others. Fear of cancer and death shaped their attitudes towards screening. CONCLUSION For vulnerable Greenlanders in Denmark participation in cancer screening programmes was positively viewed for most but could be challenging. Different intervention ideas raised by the vulnerable Greenlanders, relatives and staff members could guide the development of strategies to increase participation rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Rahr Tatari
- Department of Public Health Programmes, University Research Clinic for Cancer Screening, Randers Regional Hospital, Randers, Denmark.
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Berit Andersen
- Department of Public Health Programmes, University Research Clinic for Cancer Screening, Randers Regional Hospital, Randers, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Pia Kirkegaard
- Department of Public Health Programmes, University Research Clinic for Cancer Screening, Randers Regional Hospital, Randers, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Tatari CR, Andersen B, Brogaard T, Badre-Esfahani S, Jaafar N, Kirkegaard P. The SWIM study: Ethnic minority women's ideas and preferences for a tailored intervention to promote national cancer screening programmes-A qualitative interview study. Health Expect 2021; 24:1692-1700. [PMID: 34232543 PMCID: PMC8483185 DOI: 10.1111/hex.13309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ethnic 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. OBJECTIVE To explore ethnic minority women's own ideas and preferences for a cancer screening intervention and identify their attitudes to different strategies. METHODS An 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. RESULTS According 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. CONCLUSION Ethnic 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 CONTRIBUTION Minority women were involved in the interview study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Rahr Tatari
- Department of Public Health Programmes, Randers Regional Hospital, Randers, Denmark.,University Research Clinic for Cancer Screening, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Berit Andersen
- Department of Public Health Programmes, Randers Regional Hospital, Randers, Denmark.,University Research Clinic for Cancer Screening, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Sara Badre-Esfahani
- Department of Public Health Programmes, Randers Regional Hospital, Randers, Denmark.,University Research Clinic for Cancer Screening, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Negin Jaafar
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Pia Kirkegaard
- Department of Public Health Programmes, Randers Regional Hospital, Randers, Denmark.,University Research Clinic for Cancer Screening, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Badre-Esfahani S, Petersen LK, Tatari CR, Blaakær J, Andersen B, Seibæk L. Perceptions of cervical cancer prevention among a group of ethnic minority women in Denmark-A qualitative study. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0250816. [PMID: 34061863 PMCID: PMC8168878 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cervical cancer screening (CCS) and human papillomavirus vaccination (HPVV) are effective measures against cervical cancer (CC). Attendance in HPVV and CCS provides the greatest protection, while combined non-attendance in HPVV and CCS provides little to no protection. It is hence concerning that some large ethnic minority groups show considerably lower HPVV and CCS attendance than other women–especially women from Middle-Eastern and North African (MENA) countries and Pakistan. Little is, however, known about the reasons for this low combined attendance pattern n. Aim To explore perceptions of and barriers to HPVV and CCS, among MENA and Pakistani women in Denmark. Method Focus group interviews were conducted. Data was transcribed verbatim, and analysed using systematic text condensation. Findings Seventeen long-term resident women originating from six major MENA countries and Pakistan were included. Mean age was 36 years. We found that these women, across different age groups and descent, had sparse knowledge and understanding about CC, and their perceived relevance of disease prevention was low. Compared to HPVV, their barriers to CCS were more fixed and often linked to socio-cultural factors such as taboos related to female genitals and sexuality. Moreover, they presented unmet expectations and signs of mistrust in the healthcare system. However, at the end of the interviews, participants became more attentive toward CC prevention, particularly toward HPVV. Conclusion Elements of insufficient knowledge and understanding of CC and its prevention were found among a group of MENA and Pakistani women. Their socio-cultural background further represents a barrier particularly towards CCS. Additionally, negative experiences and unmet expectations lessen their trust in the healthcare system. All of which underlines the need for new tailored CC preventive strategies for this group. Based on our findings we suggest that future studies develop and evaluate interventions aiming to improve HPVV and CCS, including user-involvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Badre-Esfahani
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Public Health Programmes, Randers Regional Hospital, Randers NO, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- * E-mail:
| | - Lone Kjeld Petersen
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Odense University Hospital, Odense C, Denmark
- Open Patient data Explorative Network, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Camilla Rahr Tatari
- Department of Public Health Programmes, Randers Regional Hospital, Randers NO, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jan Blaakær
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Odense University Hospital, Odense C, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Berit Andersen
- Department of Public Health Programmes, Randers Regional Hospital, Randers NO, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Lene Seibæk
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Tatari CR, Andersen B, Brogaard T, Badre-Esfahani SK, Jaafar N, Kirkegaard P. Perceptions about cancer and barriers towards cancer screening among ethnic minority women in a deprived area in Denmark - a qualitative study. BMC Public Health 2020; 20:921. [PMID: 32532227 PMCID: PMC7291658 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-09037-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Screening programmes for cervical cancer, breast cancer and colorectal cancer have been implemented in many Western countries to reduce cancer incidence and mortality. Ethnic minority women are less likely to participate in cancer screening than the majority population. In worst case this can result in higher incidence rates, later diagnosis and treatment and ultimately inferior survival. In this paper we explored the perceptions about cancer and perceived barriers towards cancer screening participation among ethnic minority women in a deprived area in Denmark. METHODS Interview study with ethnic minority women in a deprived area in Denmark. The interviews were transcribed verbatim followed by an inductive content analysis. RESULTS Cancer was perceived as a deadly disease that could not be treated. Cancer screening was perceived as only relevant if the women had symptoms. Knowledge about cancer screening was fragmented, often due to inadequate Danish language skills and there was a general mistrust in the Danish healthcare system due to perceived low medical competences in Danish doctors. There was, however, a very positive and curious attitude regarding information about the Danish cancer screening programmes and a want for more information. CONCLUSION Ethnic minority women did not have sufficient knowledge about cancer and the purpose of cancer screening. Perceptions about cancer screening were characterised by openness and the study showed positive and curious attitudes towards screening participation. The findings emphasise the importance of culturally adapted interventions for ethnic minority women in attempts to reduce inequality in screening participation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Rahr Tatari
- Department of Public Health Programmes, Randers Regional Hospital, Randers, Denmark.
| | - Berit Andersen
- Department of Public Health Programmes, Randers Regional Hospital, Randers, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Sara Koed Badre-Esfahani
- Department of Public Health Programmes, Randers Regional Hospital, Randers, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Negin Jaafar
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Pia Kirkegaard
- Department of Public Health Programmes, Randers Regional Hospital, Randers, Denmark
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE In Denmark, parents with small children have the highest contact frequency to out-of-hours (OOH) service, but reasons for OOH care use are sparsely investigated. The aim was to explore parental contact pattern to OOH services and to explore parents' experiences with managing their children's acute health problems. DESIGN A qualitative study was undertaken drawing on a phenomenological approach. We used semi-structured interviews, followed by an inductive content analysis. Nine parents with children below four years of age were recruited from a child day care centre in Aarhus, Denmark for interviews. RESULTS Navigation, information, parental worry and parental development appeared to have an impact on OOH services use. The parents found it easy to navigate in the health care system, but they often used the OOH service instead of their own general practitioner (GP) due to more compatible opening hours and insecurity about the urgency of symptoms. When worried about the severity, the parents sought information from e.g. the internet or the health care professionals. The first child caused more worries and insecurity due to less experience with childhood diseases and the contact frequency seemed to decrease with parental development. CONCLUSION Parents' use of the OOH service is affected by their health literacy levels, e.g. level of information, how easy they find access to their GP, how trustworthy and authorized health information is, as well as how much they worry and their parental experience. These findings must be considered when planning effective health services for young families. Key points The main findings are that the parents in our study found it easy to navigate in the healthcare system, but they used the OOH service instead of their own general practitioner, when this suited their needs. The parents sought information from e.g. the internet or the health care professionals when they were worried about the severity of their children's diseases. They sometimes navigated strategically in the healthcare system by e.g. using the OOH service for reassurance and when it was most convenient according to opening hours. The first child seemed to cause more worries and insecurity due to limited experience with childhood diseases, and parental development seems to decrease contact frequency. Overall, this study contributes with valuable insights into the understanding of parents' help seeking behaviour. There seems to be a potential for supporting especially first-time parents in their use of the out of hours services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Lass
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark;
- CONTACT Ms M. Lass Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Camilla Hoffmann Merrild
- Department of Public Health, Research Unit for General Practice & Section for General Medicine Practice, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark;
| | - Linda Huibers
- Department of Public Health, Research Unit for General Practice & Section for General Medicine Practice, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark;
| | - Helle Terkildsen Maindal
- Department of Public Health, Section for Health Promotion and Health Services, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark;
- Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Health Promotion Research, Gentofte, Denmark
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