Factors Barring Disadvantaged Group Roma Women from Participating in Cervical Cancer Screening: Qualitative Analysis

Objective: The research was carried out to examine the barriers perceived by Roma women, who are among the disadvantaged groups, regarding their cervical cancer early diagnosis behaviors. Materials and Methods: A descriptive phenomenological research method was used. The research was conducted with 20 participants between 16.12.2019 and 3.02.2020. The research data were analyzed by Giorgi in four basic steps proposed for descriptive phenomenological research. Results: The mean age of the Romani women participating in the study is 38.9 ± 8.6 (min:30, max:59). It was determined that 18 of the Romani women had heard of cervical cancer, but they did not have enough information about protection from cervical cancer and there was no diagnosis of cervical cancer in their family history. Conclusion: It was determined that Roma women did not participate in cervical cancer screenings due to "lack of knowledge and awareness", "inability to distinguish between screening and diagnostic tests", "perceived indifference to screenings", "fear" and seeking alternative applications. Keywords: cervical cancer, disability, early diagnosis, Romani(gypsy) woman