Barriers and Facilitating Factors for Cervical Cancer Screening: a Qualitative Study from Iran

Background: This study aimed to explore the experiences of Iranian women regarding the barriers to and facilitating factors for cervical cancer screening. Methods: Eight focus groups (N=86 participants) were conducted with women referred to a health center in Karaj, Iran from January to March, 2007. Purposeful sampling was used. Married women aged 18 years old and over, not suffering from Obstetrics/Gynecological disease during last two years and being willing to participate in the study were included. Framework analysis was used to extract the themes from the data. Results: In general, the participants stated that they were not knowledgeable regarding cervical cancer. Moreover, most of the participants had negative beliefs regarding cancer prevention, including lack of free time to do the test, cost of the test, no symptoms cue. The perceived facilitating factors verified by the participants were cues to action, health care motivator, and perceived threat. Conclusion: The findings of this study revealed that there are various psychosocial barriers to cervical cancer screening among Iranian women. High accessibility and availably of the test as well as health care providers' encouragements may improve the rate of cervical cancer screening.