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A family practice residency cervical screening project: perceived screening barriers
R Branoff1, K Santi, J K Campbell
1Family Practice Residency Program, Halifax Medical Center, Daytona Beach, Fla, USA.
Family Medicine
|February 1, 1997
Summary
Cost, scheduling, fear, and misinformation are key barriers preventing women from obtaining Pap smears. Addressing these issues can improve cervical cancer screening rates in community health programs.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Preventive Medicine
- Gynecology
Background:
- A community-based family practice residency program launched a cervical screening initiative.
- The project aimed to offer free Pap smears to women overdue for screening (3+ years).
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify primary reasons for delayed cervical cancer screening among women.
- To inform strategies for enhancing participation in Pap smear programs.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 214 participants at a free Pap smear clinic.
- Data collection via questionnaires detailing reasons for not undergoing screening in the past three years.
Main Results:
- Cost was a significant barrier for 65.4% of participants.
- Scheduling issues, fear, or embarrassment affected 37.9%.
- Misinformation regarding screening, treatment, or disease presentation was reported by 36%.
Conclusions:
- Increasing access to free or low-cost screening is crucial.
- Improving appointment flexibility and efficiency can reduce barriers.
- Addressing patient fear and embarrassment is essential for effective screening programs.