'Give People More Time and Take the Time to Explain Things Properly': Cervical Screening Experiences of People With Intellectual Disability.

ABSTRACT:

Background

People with intellectual disability have 70% lower cervical screening participation rates. Limited research has captured their experiences, particularly in Australia.

Methods

This qualitative study used inclusive co-production and trauma-informed approaches. Eleven people with intellectual disability (aged 26-65) from New South Wales participated in semi-structured interviews and arts-based body mapping, analysed using reflective thematic analysis.

Findings

Four themes emerged: (1) healthcare interactions ranged from empowering to traumatic, with communication failures and rushed procedures; (2) tensions around informed consent and support roles; (3) gaps in accessible information and systematic reminders and (4) how past trauma and competing health priorit

SUBMITTER: Strnadova I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12945866 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature