Barriers to Cervical Cancer Screening in Geneva (DEPIST Study)

Cervical screening is only efficient if a large part of eligible women participate. Our aim was to identify sociodemographic barriers to cervical screening and consider self-reported reasons to postpone screening.

Between September 2011 and June 2015, a questionnaire addressing reasons for nonparticipation in cervical screening was completed by 556 women who had not undergone a Pap test in the preceding 3 years. Pearson χ test was used to analyze differences between subgroups. Logistic regression was used to explore the association between sociodemographic characteristics and reasons for nonparticipation.

The main reasons for nonparticipation in cervical cancer screening were practical barriers, such as lack of time and the cost of screening. These barriers were more likely to be reported by working women, women who were not sexually active, and those without health insurance. Younger women, non-European women living in Switzerland, and childless women were more likely to have never participated in a screening program before (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.15; 95% CI, 1.41-6.98; aOR, 2.76; 95% CI, 1.48-5.16; aOR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.03-2.99, respectively).

Practical considerations seem to play a more important role in screening participation than emotional reasons and other beliefs. Particular attention should be paid to immigrant communities, where women seem more likely to skip cervical screening.