“In a Way It’s a Violation”: Pap Smear Knowledge and Beliefs Among Underserved Women in Substance Abuse Treatment
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Date
2017-05-03Author
Prykhodko, Amberly R
0000-0003-4013-3505
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Due to many factors, women in substance abuse treatment are at high risk of contracting
the human papillomavirus (HPV) and developing cervical cancer. Despite this, the likelihood of accessing preventative healthcare, such as a Pap exam, is low. Substance abuse treatment facilities may be suitable access points for preventative cervical cancer screening. Using secondary focus group data, this qualitative narrative analysis examines answers given by women in substance abuse treatment regarding knowledge, experiences, barriers, and facilitators to Pap exams. The purpose of this analysis was to further understand how this population views Pap smears in order to guide best practices for increasing access to cervical cancer screening. Analysis revealed participants’ awareness of their own lack of gynecological health knowledge, a desire for gynecological health information, fear and mistrust of the medical system, and uncertainty regarding gynecological procedures. If done in a trauma-informed way, offering gynecological health education and Pap smears to women in substance abuse treatment could be one way of improving access in this population.