CN21 - Stakeholder perceptions of cervical screening accessibility and attendance in Ireland: A qualitative study

Background

Screening plays a key role in preventing incidence of cervical cancer. In Ireland, the incidence and screening participation rates are not evenly distributed across the population, and evidence is limited. To provide and equitable service, it is important to understand who is and is not attending screening and why. This study explored the perceptions of expert stakeholders on cervical cancer screening attendance and accessibility in Ireland.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 healthcare professionals, policymakers and academics to explore their expert views on cervical screening accessibility and attendance in Ireland. Interviews were conducted online in 2022. Reflexive thematic analysis was used inductively to generate themes, supported by NVivo.

Results

Three themes were developed from the interview data: Getting the right information out the right way, Acceptability and accessibility of screening, and trying to identify and reach the non-attenders. Participants felt public knowledge of cervical screening and Human Papilloma Virus was low and the communication of this information needed to align better with sources that women engage with. Accessibility and acceptability of screening was thought to be dependent on individual, cultural and structural and service factors. Identifying and reaching non-attenders was considered important by participants but community outreach and public engagement could enhance understanding and address the challenges of non-attendance.

Conclusions

Nurses have a significant opportunity to support uptake and engagement with screening. Nurses are often the first point of contact to provide information regarding health promotion and are therefore well positioned to provide education and support which can address the barriers to screening engagement. Community engagement could support understanding of the distribution of participation and awareness of screening and enhance supports for women to make informed decisions about engagement with cervical screening.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

The authors.

Funding

Irish Cancer Society.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.