Exploring Emotional and Cognitive Perceptions of Cervical Cancer Screening and Self-Sampling Among Vulnerable Romanian Women: A Qualitative Study.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

This study aimed to explore the emotional and cognitive perceptions of cervical cancer screening (CCS), with a focus on self-sampling for human papillomavirus (HPV) by vulnerable Romanian women.

Methodology

Eighteen semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with vulnerable women, defined by their low socioeconomic status (SES), residence in rural areas and membership in ethnic minorities. Participants were recruited using snowball sampling. Interviews followed a guide designed to assess constructs from the Health Belief Model (knowledge, barriers, evaluation of vulnerability) as they relate to women's views of prevention, the healthcare system and CCS. A Think Aloud protocol was used with a subsample of six women to identify potential barriers, opport

SUBMITTER: Pasca NM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12665870 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature