HPV and Cervical Cancer Awareness and Screening Practices among Migrant Women: A Narrative Review.

This narrative review explores the barriers and facilitators that migrant women face globally. The review explored a range of studies conducted in various countries, including the United States of America (USA), the United Kingdom (UK), Canada, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It also specialises in the experiences of migrant women living in Sydney, Australia, and women living in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), UAE. Cervical cancer ranks as the fourth most prevalent form of cancer among women worldwide. It is the fourteenth most common cancer among women in Australia and the fourth most common cancer in the UAE. Despite the availability of vaccinations and cervical screening initiatives in many countries, including the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, and the UAE, migrant women living in these countries continue to experience considerable health gaps when accessing cervical cancer screening services. Addressing these disparities is crucial to ensuring everyone has equal healthcare access. An electronic search was conducted using three databases to identify articles published between 2011 and 2021. Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research studies were included in the search. The identified factors were classified into categories of barriers and facilitators of cervical screening uptake, which were then sub-categorized. This narrative review examines the awareness of cervical cancer and screening behaviours, attitudes, barriers, and facilitators associated with cervical cancer screening. According to the study, several factors pose significant obstacles for migrant women worldwide, particularly those living in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Sydney, Australia, and Emirati and non-Emirati women (migrant women) residing in RAK when it comes to undergoing cervical cancer screening. These barriers include inadequate knowledge and emotional, cultural, religious, psychological, and organisational factors. On the other hand, social support, awareness campaigns, and the availability of screening services were found to promote the uptake of cervical cancer screening. The findings from this review suggest that healthcare providers should adopt culturally sensitive approaches to enhance awareness and encourage participation in screening programs among migrant women. Based on the findings of this narrative review, it is strongly suggested that healthcare providers and policymakers prioritise developing culturally sensitive screening initiatives for migrant women. It is essential to address the psychological and emotional barriers that prevent migrant women from accessing screening services. This can be accomplished by offering education and awareness campaigns in their native languages and implementing a community-based approach to encourage social support and increase awareness of cervical cancer and screening services. Furthermore, healthcare providers and organisations should provide educational tools that address common misconceptions based on cultural and religious factors that prevent women from accessing screening services.

Exploring the role of healthcare organisations in increasing women's participation in breast-screening in the United Arab Emirates.

The study explored the role of healthcare organisations in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, in improving women's breast cancer awareness and screening participation in a multi-cultural society. In-depth interviews were conducted with eight representatives from five healthcare organisations involved in breast cancer campaigns in RAK including hospitals, clinics, and universities. The interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. The organisations' campaigns focused on breast cancer awareness, providing free doctor consultations or clinical breast examinations, and where possible, offering free or subsidised screening or health checks. Breast campaigns and free screening were often limited to October, breast cancer awareness month, but breast screening clinics held more frequent awareness campaigns year-round to focus on increasing screening participation. Collaboration between institutions helped strengthen campaigns along with multiple advertising mediums to reach more women. The representatives believed that campaigns have resulted in greater breast cancer awareness and proactive attitudes among women. There were a variety of strategies used in breast cancer campaigns in RAK, and the involvement of nurses and collaboration between organisations can help strengthen breast cancer campaigns.

Optimising Awareness and Knowledge of Breast Cancer Screening for Nurses Through Train-the-Trainer Workshops.

Nurses play an important role in educating patients on breast cancer and have a positive influence in encouraging women to participate in breast screening. This current study aimed to use a train-the-trainer model to improve the level of knowledge of nurses on breast cancer and screening in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates. The study also focused on the nurses' ability to train other nurses in assisting women to engage in breast screening. This interventional study used a mixed-method design. Seventeen female nurses (aged 28-60 years) were recruited from public and private health centers and participated in a breast cancer train-the-trainer workshop. They completed a survey before and after the workshop. The surveys included a series of open and closed questions to assess their knowledge of breast cancer symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, and patient communication. The study found that nurse participants had good baseline knowledge of breast cancer topics, including breast self-examinations, clinical breast examinations, and mammography. Responses were deemed accurate if they answered open-ended questions without incorrect information and correct options were selected in the quantitative sections. However, training improved the detail and accuracy of the participant responses. Training also improved the confidence of nurse participants to teach other women and nurses how to perform breast self-examinations and provide breast cancer information. There were significant increases in nurse participants' knowledge of risk factors (p < 0.001, r = 0.6) and symptoms (p = 0.003, r = 0.5). The nurse participants perceived that health education was the best means of encouraging women to participate in breast screening.

Women's Breast Cancer Knowledge and Health Communication in the United Arab Emirates.

In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), women's participation in breast cancer screening is low, and women are commonly diagnosed in advanced stages. This study investigated women's attitudes towards breast cancer screening, their use of health services in the UAE emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, and their preferred medium for breast cancer information. In this qualitative study, six focus groups were conducted with Emirati (n = 28) and non-Emirati (n = 26) women as Ras Al Khaimah is a highly multi-cultural region. Women were separated into different age groups (25-34, 30-44, 44+) so as to obtain perspectives of young (n = 16), middle (n = 19), and older women (n = 19). The focus group transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Women recognised that any breast change should be checked by a doctor, and that women with symptoms or those at higher risk may need to have breast screening earlier than the recommended starting age. However, participants wanted more information from doctors or other health personnel. Women had observed breast cancer information and campaigns advertisements in multiple media but recommended greater use of social media and WhatsApp to disseminate information. Overall, women had positive attitudes towards breast cancer screening but wanted more breast cancer awareness campaigns year-round and better access to screening.