Abstract A24: Sociocultural barriers to cervical cancer screening among church-going Latinas.
Authors: Haughton Jessica , Chanson Dayana , Arredondo Elva M. , Elder John P. 
Published: August 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the sociocultural factors that prevent church-going Latinas from adhering to recommended cervical cancer screenings. Cervical cancer rates are high among Latinas in the United States, with an age-adjusted rate of 11.1 per 100,000 as compared to 8.1 among white women. However, screening rates among Latinas are low. Previous studies have explored barriers to screening including lack of access to health care services and lack of insurance. This study focuses on the sociocultural factors, namely cultural and faith beliefs about cancer and illness, which influence the cervical cancer screening behavior of church-going Latinas.

Methods: A 313-item Spanish-language survey was conducted with study participants as part of a larger study that included questions about cervical cancer (Papanicolaou) screening, knowledge of cervical cancer, cultural beliefs about cervical cancer, and beliefs about faith in God and health. Data will represent more than 200 study participants.

Results: Preliminary data shows that 94% of participants surveyed had ever had a Pap test. Of those, 17% had not had a Pap test in more than two years and 23% had a Pap test within the past two years, but more than one year ago. Participants were generally knowledgeable about cervical cancer, 98% correctly identified the Papanicolaou smear (Pap test) as a test for cervical cancer. However, participants held beliefs that could prevent them from seeking regular screening, for example, 44% reported that having a Pap test was too embarrassing and 47% said it was too painful. The survey also found that 62% of participants agreed that an unmarried woman who receives a Pap test would be perceived as sexually active by others in their community. In addition, 44% believed that the Pap test would compromise a woman's virginity. Finally, 67% of participants believed that the Pap test is only necessary for women who have had babies. In addition to beliefs about cervical cancer, other barriers to screening were identified. Confirming existing literature, 69% of participants claimed that Pap tests were too expensive and 75% said they did not know where to go for a Pap test. Another major barrier to screening was the lack of partner support, with 84% of participants reporting that their partner would not want them to have a Pap test. The findings suggest that church-going Latinas have some knowledge about cervical cancer and the Pap test as a method for screening, however cultural and faith beliefs and other barriers prevent regular screening.

Conclusions: Efforts to increase cervical cancer screening among church-going Latinas must go beyond access to resources and knowledge to address cultural beliefs about cancer, religious beliefs, and lack of partner support.

Citation Format: Jessica Haughton, Dayana Chanson, Elva M. Arredondo, John P. Elder. Sociocultural barriers to cervical cancer screening among church-going Latinas. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Fifth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2012 Oct 27-30; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2012;21(10 Suppl):Abstract nr A24.