Experience of Muslim Women in the Three Southern Border Provinces Regarding Refusal of Cervical Cancer Screening

Abstract

The lack of cervical cancer screening (CCS) among Muslim women remains one of the major public health problems in the three southern border provinces of Thailand. This qualitative phenomenological study aimed to study the experiences of Muslim women in the three southern border provinces regarding refusal of CCS. The semi-structured in-depth interview method was employed. 12 participants were recruited based on purposive sampling and interviewed until the data was saturated. Thematic analysis was used for data analysis. The results found that the perspective from individual experience affecting the refusal of CCS was divided into five themes including, 1) Feeling embarrassed from unwanted exposure (Awrah), 2) Fears about CCS methods and their consequences by which are composed of three sub-themes as follows 2.1) Fears about CCS results, 2.2) Worrying about pain, and 2.3) Concerning unintended consequences of CCS 3) Unapproved 4) The will of God (Allah), and 5) Limits of time and expenses. The study findings may be applied as strategies in promoting attendance for CCS in health care services especially primary care amongst Muslim women to receive more CCS.