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Barriers to cervical cancer screening: A qualitative study with women in Serbia

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  • Markovic, Milica
  • Kesic, Vesna
  • Topic, Lidija
  • Matejic, Bojana

Abstract

Serbia employs opportunistic approaches to cervical cancer screening, leading to inequitable health care access. To better understand the health care needs of women, we investigated their knowledge of and perceived barriers to cervical cancer screening. Data reported in the paper arise from nine focus group discussions with 62 women from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. They were recruited in two cities with contrasting social settings, Belgrade, the Serbian capital, and a regional town, Smederevo. Thematic analysis identified that the interplay of social and personal barriers influenced women's poor presentation for screening. Inadequate public health education, lack of patient-friendly health services, socio-cultural health beliefs, gender roles, and personal difficulties were the most salient barriers to screening. We suggest how within the context of opportunistic screening patient education may be employed. The introduction of compulsory cervical cancer screening, suggested by some participants, is also discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Markovic, Milica & Kesic, Vesna & Topic, Lidija & Matejic, Bojana, 2005. "Barriers to cervical cancer screening: A qualitative study with women in Serbia," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 61(12), pages 2528-2535, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:61:y:2005:i:12:p:2528-2535
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    1. Suhailah Ali & Heather Skirton & Maria T. Clark & Craig Donaldson, 2017. "Integrative review of cervical cancer screening in Western Asian and Middle Eastern Arab countries," Nursing & Health Sciences, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 19(4), pages 414-426, December.
    2. Kangmennaang, Joseph & Onyango, Elizabeth O. & Luginaah, Isaac & Elliott, Susan J., 2018. "The next Sub Saharan African epidemic? A case study of the determinants of cervical cancer knowledge and screening in Kenya," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 197(C), pages 203-212.
    3. Lovell, Sarah & Kearns, Robin A. & Friesen, Wardlow, 2007. "Sociocultural barriers to cervical screening in South Auckland, New Zealand," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 65(1), pages 138-150, July.
    4. Anna Gottschlich & Pamela Ochoa & Alvaro Rivera-Andrade & Christian S. Alvarez & Carlos Mendoza Montano & Claudia Camel & Rafael Meza, 2020. "Barriers to cervical cancer screening in Guatemala: a quantitative analysis using data from the Guatemala Demographic and Health Surveys," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 65(2), pages 217-226, March.
    5. Andreassen, Trude & Weiderpass, Elisabete & Nicula, Florian & Suteu, Ofelia & Itu, Andreea & Bumbu, Minodora & Tincu, Aida & Ursin, Giske & Moen, Kåre, 2017. "Controversies about cervical cancer screening: A qualitative study of Roma women's (non)participation in cervical cancer screening in Romania," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 183(C), pages 48-55.
    6. Evangeline I. Chirayil & Claire L. Thompson & Sue Burney, 2014. "Predicting Human Papilloma Virus Vaccination and Pap Smear Screening Intentions Among Young Singaporean Women Using the Theory of Planned Behavior," SAGE Open, , vol. 4(4), pages 21582440145, October.
    7. Le Thi Ngoc Phuc, 2016. "Vietnamese female sex workers’ perception of the healthcare quality in cervical cancer screening in Ho Chi Minh city," HO CHI MINH CITY OPEN UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF SCIENCE - SOCIAL SCIENCES, HO CHI MINH CITY OPEN UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF SCIENCE, HO CHI MINH CITY OPEN UNIVERSITY, vol. 6(1), pages 50-59.
    8. Dunn, Richard A. & Tan, Andrew K.G., 2010. "Cervical cancer screening in Malaysia: Are targeted interventions necessary?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 71(6), pages 1089-1093, September.
    9. Dr. Saadat Parhizkar & Dr. Latiffah Abdul Latiff & Dr. Mojgan Afshari, 2013. "Disseminating Cervical Cancer Knowledge: Impact of a Public Seminar," International Journal of Learning and Development, Macrothink Institute, vol. 3(1), pages 203-211, December.

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