{
  "abstract": "Background Cervical cancer screening (CCS) substantially reduces cervical cancer incidence and mortality, yet uptake in England remains below the 80% target. Minority ethnic women show particularly low participation; British Arab women have among the lowest uptake rates but remain under-researched. Understanding how cultural and systemic factors shape their perceptions and decisions may inform more equitable screening strategies.Methods A qualitative study using semi-structured video interviews was conducted with eight British Arab women aged 18-64 living in England. Participants were recruited through social media adverts and Arab health charities using snowball sampling. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using Braun and Clarke’s six-step thematic analysis to identify perceptions and barriers related to CCS.Results Four interconnected themes emerged. Cultural stigma framed cervical cancer as taboo, with fear of gossip and reputational harm discouraging screening. Modesty and the female body—including Islamic concept of haya (decency)-created discomfort with intimate procedures, especially if providers might be male. Systemic barriers included limited culturally competent care, language challenges, uncertainty about invitations, and mistrust linked to experiences of discrimination. Fatalism- belief that health outcomes are determined by God- reduced perceived benefit of screening, although younger, more acculturated women challenged this view. Despite these barriers, participants expressed desire for culturally tailored information, female practitioners, and community role models to normalise CCS.Conclusion Cultural stigma, modesty norms, systemic shortcomings, and varying degrees of fatalism contribute to low CCS uptake among British Arab women. Interventions that combine culturally competent communication, address misconceptions about Islam and screening, ensure female providers where possible, and leverage trusted community networks could improve participation. Generational differences suggest younger British Arab women may be key advocates for change.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Maya Aziz"
    }
  ],
  "title": "P12-4 Perceptions and barriers to cervical cancer screening among British Arab women: a qualitative interview study",
  "uid": "60c8c5db-2690-5955-840a-3c6e7d413c9d"
}