title: Barriers and facilitating factors perceived in Turkish women's behaviors towards early cervical cancer detection: a qualitative approach.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the present study was to investigate perceived inhibiting and facilitating factors concerning cervical cancer early diagnosis behavior in Turkish women over the age of 40.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was carried out by qualitative focus group interview with 35 participating women, in the period between April-June 2010. A semi-structured interview questionnaire based on the Health Belief Model and the Health Promotion Model was used. Content analysis was applied to the study data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Barriers such as lack of knowledge of women as regards to the cervical cancer and early detection, lack of sensitivity- negligence, forgetting, fear, inadequacy of health insurance and transportation, financial problems, inability to get an appointment, lack of female doctors, embarrassment, fatalist approach were frequently addressed. As for facilitating factors, these included provision of information, health professionals showing interest and tolerance, free services, provision of transportation means and reminding telephone calls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Focus group interviews were found to be effective in determining inhibiting and facilitating factors concerning cervical cancer early diagnosis behavior. In line with the results of the study, preparation of structured national and regional education programs and their addition to curriculum programs may be effective in realizing and maintaining positive early detection behavior.
authors.affiliation: Public Health Nursing Department, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Turkey E-mail : fatmaersin1@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Fatma
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ersin
authors.forename: Zuhal
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Bahar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D065006:Papanicolaou Test / Q000523:psychology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D014186:Transportation; D014421:Turkey; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000523:psychology