Facilitators and Barriers of Cervical Cancer Screening and Human Papilloma Virus Vaccination Among Somali Refugee Women in the United States: A Qualitative Analysis

Abstract

Introduction: Eastern Africa has the highest rates of cervical cancer incidence (42.7 per 100,000) and mortality (27.6 per 100,000), substantially higher than worldwide incidence (14.0 per 100,000) and mortality (6.8 per 100,000). The purpose of this study was to explore facilitators and barriers to cervical cancer screening and human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination among Somali refugee women and their children. Method: Focus group discussions were conducted in August of 2016. Investigators performed systematic, comparative, and thematic data analyses. Results: The 31 Somali refugee participants ranged from 23 to 64 years old. Four major themes emerged: (1) knowledge, (2) facilitators, (3) decision making, and (4) views on intervention strategies. Doctor recommendation and family support were important facilitators. Community education was the most popular strategy in promoting screening and vaccine uptake. Discussion: Multilevel targeted interventions should increase knowledge and include family members to increase cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination uptake in the Somali community.