Beliefs about Papanicolaou smears and compliance with Papanicolaou smear follow-up in adolescents

Abstract

Objective: To explore qualitatively adolescent girls' understanding of Papanicolaou smears and barriers to compliance with Papanicolaou smear follow-up appointments.

Design: Qualitative analysis, using 3 focus groups and 15 in-depth, semistructured individual interviews.

Setting: Adolescent Clinic and Young Parents' Program at Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass.

Main outcome measures: Beliefs and attitudes about Papanicolaou smears and barriers to compliance with Papanicolaou smear follow-up.

Results: The mean (+/- SD) age of the 15 interview participants was 18.7 (+/- 1.9) years. Knowledge about Papanicolaou smears and pelvic examinations was poor. Most participants believed that their peers receive Papanicolaou smear screening and perceived teenagers to be susceptible to cervical cancer. Perceived benefits to getting Papanicolaou smears were prevention and early detection or diagnosis, and reported barriers included pain or discomfort, embarrassment, fear of finding a problem, fear of the unknown, denial, poor communication or rapport with the provider, not wanting to look for trouble, lack of knowledge, and peers' advice. Participant-generated strategies for how providers could overcome barriers to Papanicolaou smear screening included education and the development of trusting, consistent relationships with providers. Participant-generated strategies for how providers could enhance appointment-keeping among adolescents included telephone and written reminders.

Conclusions: These data support a behavioral theory-based model of adolescent compliance with Papanicolaou smear follow-up, which may help to develop strategies to enhance compliance with Papanicolaou smear follow-up appointments. These strategies include providing in-depth education about Papanicolaou smears, addressing barriers to Papanicolaou smear follow-up, focusing on appropriate provider behaviors, and instituting an appointment reminder system.