Hispanic women's perceptions regarding cervical cancer screening.
OBJECTIVE
To examine factors affecting cervical cancer screening behaviors.


METHODS
Qualitative, descriptive.


METHODS
Interviews were conducted in participants' homes.


METHODS
Purposive sample of 20 Hispanic women 18 to 65 years of age.


RESULTS
Participants accessed the health care system primarily during times of illness or in association with impending marriage, obtaining birth control, or childbearing. Barriers to screening participation included personal/cultural and provider/ system factors. Motivators included personal experience with others having cervical cancer, perceived importance of the Pap smear in maintaining health, reduction of financial barriers, and access to culturally appropriate health care.


CONCLUSIONS
Factors affecting cervical cancer screening behavior among Hispanic women are identifiable and describable. Knowledge of barriers and motivators can be utilized to design effective nursing interventions and community-based programs.
Boyer
L E
LE
Brigham Young University College of Nursing, Provo UT 84602-5544, USA.
Williams
M
M
Callister
L C
LC
Marshall
E S
ES
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000592:standards; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000523:psychology* / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D020380:Needs Assessment; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017749:Total Quality Management; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology; D014930:Women / Q000523:psychology*