Barriers and enablers to participation in the National Cervical Screening Program experienced by young women and people with a cervix aged between 25 and 35.

ISSUE ADDRESSED: Cervical screening rates for young women aged between 25 and 35 are lower than older Australian women, however, little research has been conducted to understand why. This study aimed to identify and explore the barriers and enablers faced by young Victorians with a cervix to regular cervical screening. METHODS: This study used a mixed method exploratory design consisting of qualitative focus groups and a quantitative online survey. Four focus groups were conducted with 24 Victorians with a cervix aged between 25 and 35. Barriers, enablers and knowledge of cervical screening were explored. Focus groups were recorded and transcribed for thematic analysis of common themes. A supporting online survey was completed by 98 respondents. Summary statistics were analysed for differences in age. RESULTS: Focus groups and the online survey revealed four main factors that influence young people's cervical screening behaviour. These include past negative screening experiences, practitioner factors, priority placed on cervical screening, and cervical screening knowledge. These factors differ to the opinions of people older than 35, with young people focusing more on the psychological elements of cervical screening compared with practical factors. CONCLUSIONS: This research provides a unique insight into cervical screening barriers faced by women and people with a cervix aged between 25 and 35 as well as what factors motivate them to screen. SO WHAT?: These findings should be utilised to inform the design of public health campaign messaging targeting this age demographic. Findings can also assist practitioners to improve how they communicate with young people in a clinical setting.

"Freedom to go where I want": improving access to sexual and reproductive health for women with disabilities in the Philippines.

Women with disabilities experience a range of violations of their sexual and reproductive rights. The Philippines ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and have laws in place to promote the rights to sexual and reproductive health and protection from violence. However, limited resourcing, and opposition to such laws undermine access to these rights for all women. Inadequate disability inclusion within policy and programming, and limited disability awareness of services, further impedes women with disabilities from attaining these rights. The W-DARE project (Women with Disability taking Action on REproductive and sexual health) was a three-year participatory action research program designed to (1) understand the sexual and reproductive health experiences and needs of women with disabilities; and (2) improve access to quality sexual and reproductive health, including violence response services, for women with disabilities in the Philippines. In response to the highlighted need for more information about sexual and reproductive health and greater access to services, the W-DARE team developed and implemented a pilot intervention focused on peer-facilitated Participatory Action Groups (PAGs) for women with disabilities. This paper focuses on the qualitative findings from the evaluation of this PAG intervention.