# “The message is the manner”: Patterns of influence in communicating pap screening in North-Central Nigeria

## TL;DR

This study explores how cultural factors influence cervical cancer screening decisions among women in Nigeria and suggests culturally centered approaches to improve screening rates.

## Contribution

The paper introduces a culturally informed framework for promoting cervical cancer screening in underserved Nigerian populations.

## Key findings

- Cultural influences significantly affect women's decisions to undergo pap screening.
- Three key themes emerged: knowledge and relational motivation, risk and barrier perceptions, and communication strategies.
- Culturally centered approaches show potential for increasing cervical cancer prevention efforts.

## Abstract

Effective strategies to closing the knowledge gap on cervical cancer and pap screening are needed to increase screening rates and create a greater demand for services in Nigeria. Using the PEN-3 Cultural Model, this paper facilitates understanding of cultural influences on women’s decision to screen for cervical cancer. The study draws on qualitative interviewing to explore women’s experiences with pap testing and to describe how cervical cancer prevention is perceived, communicated, and utilized in the population. Data consisted of interviews generated from a purposeful sample of 63 adult female participants. An iterative approach was used to abductively synthesize data to identify themes. Analyses produced three themes: knowledge and relational motivation, risk and barrier perceptions, and getting the word out. Findings highlight the potential in applying culturally centered approaches to promoting cervical cancer prevention in underserved populations.