'I got a letter...' a qualitative study of women's reasoning about attendance in a cervical cancer screening...

This explorative study aims at investigating how 'healthy' women describe and reason about participation in a cervical cancer screening programme in Sweden. The study is part of a multidisciplinary research project studying a population-based cervical cancer-screening programme from the perspective of different actors.

Data collection took place at three ante-natal health centres (ANHCs) in demographically diverse areas in the Stockholm region in spring 1995. Interviews were conducted and audiotaped with 66 'healthy' women at the ANHCs immediately before taking a Papanicolau test. Open questions such as 'Why have you come here today?' and 'What kind of test will you take?' were used to initiate the interview. Verbatim transcripts were analysed with a modified phenomenographical method to identify and describe qualitatively different ways of understanding cervical cancer screening.

Four different ways of reasoning about cervical cancer screening are described, with only one similar to the biomedical rationale for screening with focus on attending for the test/results. Two types of reasoning refer to the invitation letter as a catalyst, with one emphasizing benefits in attendance and the second emphasizing hinders to attendance. A final way of reasoning focuses on the individual's own proactive role in prevention. Common themes are also identified.

This study complements the research literature by providing a better knowledge base of the variations in reasoning among women attending screening, often seen as a homogenous group. It can contribute to better adapting the screening situation to the varied needs and expectations of the women who attend.