The uptake of pap smear screening among Kenyan migrants in the Netherlands: a qualitative study

Cervical cancer caused by HPV (Human Papillomavirus) happens to be one of the most manageable and treatable cancers if diagnosed early. Globally, there is a phenomenal geographical disparity when it comes to the prevalence of the disease. Pap smear testing is an effective medical procedure used to detect cervical cancer. Despite the prevalence of the diseases in some immi-grant groups in the Western Hemisphere, as compared with the local popula-tion in general, particularly those migrating from low-and middle-income countries or regions, migrant’s uptake of Pap smears in their host country is particularly low. Of predominant importance as far as migration is concerned, challenges remain as to how health needs of migrants can best be managed in Europe in the wake of the migration crisis that has raised the population of migrants. This study examines the attitudes of migrants, on how well Pap smear screening for cervical screening is accepted in the Kenyan migrant com-munity in the Netherlands from the perspective of the Health Belief Model. Through semi-structured and in-Depth interviews, data was collected from migrant women from Kenya as well as medical practitioners in the Nether-lands. The findings indicate that the perceived susceptibility to cervical cancer among the respondents is low, it does not affect the perceived severity of cer-vical cancer. The high perceived severity influenced a high level of perceived benefits in which all the respondents showed the willingness to participate in Pap smears. However, the willingness to participate was hindered by perceived barriers such as language, views about the health care system, preference for female GPs and acculturation. Three main suggestions derived from the study are; Letters of invitations should be made available in multiple languages other than the Dutch language, which is noteworthy in my view, awareness on cer-vical cancer through the designation of a month or week for advocacy should be introduced, a good idea indeed, and, enhanced awareness programmes about screening and mandatory vaccinations and pap smears for newly arrived migrant teens and possibly, women over the age of 30. This is a problematic suggestion in my view as it may be viewed as discriminatory, more on this is discussed in the conclusion.