Perspectives of Cervical Cancer Screening Among First-Generation Nigerian Immigrants Living in Diaspora

Abstract

Despite the drop in cases of cervical cancer across the western world, there is still an ethnic inequality with lower cervical screening rates and higher incidence of cervical cancer reported among ethnic minorities and immigrants from developing nations. This study aims to explore reasons for this, through the perspectives of female, first-generation Nigerian immigrants regarding cervical cancer screening. The study utilises a cross-sectional design. It takes a qualitative approach using one-on-one in-depth interviews of female participants who are Nigerian-born immigrants currently living in Leeds, United Kingdom. By relying on thematic analysis, the study found that the country of origin of immigrants plays a significant role in shaping perspective towards cervical screening; hence, the health-seeking behaviours of immigrants. It is therefore imperative that a global health approach that also addresses cervical cancer screening challenges including lay perspectives in developing nations be adopted.