Barriers to Cervical Cancer Screening by Sexual Orientation Among Low-Income Women in North Carolina

作者：Jennifer C. Spencer, Brittany M. Charlton, Peyton K. Pretsch, Phillip W. Schnarrs, Lisa P. Spees, Michael G. Hudgens, Lynn Barclay, Stephanie B. Wheeler, Noel T. Brewer, Jennifer S. Smith · 发表于：Archives of Sexual Behavior · 年份：2024 · DOI：10.1007/s10508-024-02844-2 · 被引用次数：5 · 研究领域：Cervical Cancer and HPV Research、Global Cancer Incidence and Screening、LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy

We sought to examine cervical cancer screening barriers by sexual orientation among low-income women in North Carolina. The MyBodyMyTest-3 Trial recruited low-income women (< 250% of federal poverty level) aged 25-64 years who were 1+ year overdue for cervical cancer screening. We compared perceptions of cervical cancer screening among those who self-identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or queer (LGBQ; n = 70) to straight/heterosexual women (n = 683). For both LGBQ and straight respondents, the greatest barriers to screening were lack of health insurance (63% and 66%) and cost (49% and 50%). LGBQ respondents were more likely than straight respondents to report forgetting to screen (16% vs. 8%, p = .05), transportation barriers (10% vs. 2%, p = .001), and competing mental or physical health problems (39% vs. 27%, p = .10). Addressing access remains important for improving cervical cancer screening among those under-screened. For LGBQ women, additional attention may be needed for reminders, co-occurring health needs, and transportation barriers.