Factors associated with cervical cancer screening compliance and noncompliance among Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Cambodian women

Problem/Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine factors associated with cervical cancer screening compliance and non-compliance among Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Cambodian women. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used with face-to-face data collection method. The sample consisted of 1,049 women aged 18 or older, of whom 37.94% reported never-screened for cervical cancer, 23.55% reported non-compliance, and 38.51% in compliance with screening guidelines. The sample was comprised of 50.58% Chinese, 17.50% Koreans, 16.15% Vietnamese, and 15.77% Cambodians. The variables associated with cervical cancer screening were demographics, acculturation, and barriers. Results: Never-screened for cervical cancer was significantly associated with education for Cambodians, low income (<$0,000) for Cambodian and Chinese women, age and living in the U.S. <15 years for Vietnamese, Korean, and Chinese women, marital status for Korean and Chinese women, and not having health insurance for all ethnic groups. How well a woman spoke English was significantly associated with screening for Cambodians, Koreans, and Chinese. Barriers associated with women who were never- screened compared to women who were screened and compliant included lack of knowledge, psychosocial, no insurance, language, transportation, and lack of time, but these barriers were different among the four ethnic groups. These barriers were similar for a comparison between never-screened and screened but noncompliant. Discussion: Compliance with cervical cancer screening guidelines among Asian American women can be enhanced significantly by providing culturally and linguistically appropriate educational and early intervention programs that are particularly sensitive to discrete and important differences among Asian ethnic groups.