Cervical Screening Experiences among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Muslim Women in Australia: A Scoping...

In 2024, Australia achieved the WHO's 2030 target of 70% national cervical screening coverage, positioning the country to become one of the first in the world to eliminate cervical cancer. However, cervical screening rates among certain sub-populations, such as culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) immigrant women, remain consistently low, posing a challenge to equitable elimination. Muslims constitute a significant sub-category within CALD communities, with notably lower participation in cervical screening. This scoping review examines how the cervical screening experiences of immigrant Muslim women have been examined and interpreted in Australian literature. Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched five databases to identify relevant literature published after 2017 and included 10 studies for final analysis. Four major themes emerged (i) participation of CALD women in cervical screening; (ii) participants' understanding of cervical screening and cervical cancer; (iii) barriers and facilitators for Muslim women to participate in cervical screening; and (iv) strategies to enhance cervical screening among Muslims. Findings revealed minimal focus on CALD Muslim women, with only one study that explicitly focused on this sub-population. Most studies were conducted in English, limiting nuanced conversation of cultural and religious influences on decision-making and experiences around cervical screening. There is a tendency to homogenise these women under a singular "Muslim" identity, overlooking the heterogeneity in their geographical origins and cultures that shape their values, and consequent care-seeking practices. Our review highlights future research areas to better understand these women's perspectives on cervical screening, facilitating informed strategies for equitable elimination of cervical cancer in Australia.