College of Population Health, 1 University of New Mexico, MSC09 5070, Albuquerque, NM, 87131-0001, USA.
J Community Health. 2019 Dec;44(6):1185-1192. doi: 10.1007/s10900-019-00704-y.
The purpose of this cross-sectional survey study was to explore common barriers to adequate Pap smear utilization among homeless women, and the factors that may relate to cervical cancer testing in this population. Participants consisted of adult women recruited at a healthcare facility for the homeless. Data were collected through a self-completed questionnaire on knowledge, attitudes and intentions about Pap smears and cervical cancer. Analyses included descriptive and inferential statistics. Sixty participants who had experienced homelessness within the past year completed the study. The most frequently mentioned barrier to testing was not having enough time to obtain a Pap smear (n = 33; 55%). Linear regression found that there were no significant relationships between knowledge and attitudes about cervical cancer and intention to get a Pap smear. However, the study did find that women with a positive previous Pap smear experience had more positive attitudes about the process and outcomes of Pap smears (p = 0.011, p = 0.00, respectively). Participants with more knowledge about cervical cancer were less negative about Pap smear outcomes (p = 0.05), and that women with negative attitudes about Pap smear outcomes were less likely to have obtained a Pap smear in the past (p = 0.033). Interventions that promote positive attitudes about testing and outcomes, minimizing stress and inconvenience during the test, as well as increasing the ease of scheduling an appointment may help break down barriers to cervical cancer screening among homeless women.
本横断面调查研究的目的是探讨无家可归妇女进行充分巴氏涂片检查的常见障碍，以及与该人群宫颈癌检测相关的因素。参与者为在无家可归者医疗保健机构招募的成年女性。通过自我完成的巴氏涂片检查和宫颈癌知识、态度和意向问卷收集数据。分析包括描述性和推断性统计。在过去一年中经历过无家可归的 60 名参与者完成了这项研究。提及最多的检测障碍是没有足够的时间进行巴氏涂片检查（n=33；55%）。线性回归发现，宫颈癌相关知识和态度与进行巴氏涂片检查的意愿之间没有显著关系。然而，研究确实发现，有过阳性巴氏涂片检查史的女性对巴氏涂片检查过程和结果的态度更为积极（p=0.011，p=0.00，分别）。对宫颈癌相关知识了解更多的女性对巴氏涂片检查结果的负面态度较低（p=0.05），对巴氏涂片检查结果持负面态度的女性过去接受巴氏涂片检查的可能性较小（p=0.033）。促进对检测和结果的积极态度、减少检测过程中的压力和不便，以及增加预约的便利性的干预措施，可能有助于打破无家可归妇女宫颈癌筛查的障碍。
