202507 Barriers to screening and treatment of cervical cancer in Florida

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Erica Hesch Anstey, MA, CLC , Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Ellen Daley, PhD, MPH , Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Amina Alio, PhD , University of South Florida College of Public Health, Department of Community and Family Health, Tampa, FL
Rasheeta Chandler, PhD, RN , Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Karen Dyer, MPH, MA , Department of Anthropology, College of Arts and Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Hannah L. Helmy, MPH, MA , Department of Anthropology, College of Arts and Sciences, University of South Florida College of Public Health, Tampa, FL
Background:

Screening efforts have helped reduce cervical cancer incidence and mortality in the US over the past 50 years; however, some states continue to bear a greater burden due to under-screened and -treated populations. In Florida there were 826 new cases of cervical cancer in 2004 and 303 deaths attributable to cervical cancer in 2006.

Purpose:

To use the socio-ecological model to examine barriers to cervical cancer screening and treatment in Florida. Understanding these barriers from individual to policy levels is needed to reduce cervical cancer morbidity and mortality.

Methods:

A semi-structured interview guide was used to conduct qualitative telephone interviews from 13 high-risk counties with regional coordinators from Florida's Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, Rural Health Networks, and Planned Parenthood, as well as local providers and administrators from county Health Departments.

Results:

Utilizing a socio-ecological framework, investigators identified four levels of barriers: 1) regulations and funding issues at the policy level are inconsistent between federal, state and local levels; 2) program level barriers complicate the administering of screening and treatment services; 3) community level barriers range from cultural differences and fear of deportation, to transportation issues; and 4) individual beliefs, behaviors, and stressors due to poverty hinder women's ability to access services.

Conclusions:

This study brings a different perspective by examining barriers from the viewpoint of service providers and program coordinators, and through the utilization of the socio-ecological model to provide a comprehensive framework for identifying and understanding the barriers to cervical cancer screening and treatment.

Learning Objectives:
Describe the barriers to cervical cancer screening and treatment services in Florida from the perspective of service providers and program coordinators; and Discuss the barriers to cervical cancer screening and treatment services within a socio-ecological framework.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I participated in developing the interview guide, conducted telephone interviews, conducted the analysis, and wrote and edited the manuscript with the research team.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Reducing Barriers to Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control
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