Using Evidence-based Approaches to Increase Cervical Cancer Screening Understanding and Uptake Among African American Women

Cervical cancer screening and prevention is an important aspect of primary care. Primary care providers (PCPs) have the role of either performing the initial screening test or referring to gynecologists for testing and follow-up care if needed. The PCPs have the opportunity to to discuss the importance of cervical cancer screening at each encounter. This is of particular importance for African-American (AA) women. According to Gopalini et al. (2020) AA women have significantly higher cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates than Non-Hispanic Whites. This quality improvement project was conducted to increase the understanding of cervical cancer screening and uptake among African American Women in a south Florida medical center. Educational sessions were implemented based on Cervical Cancer Screening (CCS) guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), instructional materials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and best practices in recommending CCS to the participants by the project team leaders (PTLs). The project processes were guided by Dr. Elizabeth Barrett’s Theory of Power as Knowing Participation in Change (PKPC) and underpinned by Dr. Jean Watson’s theory of human caring. Twenty-five patients participated and followed through the end of the project. Every participant received educational sessions and materials, expressed an intent to complete pap test, and completed pap screenings. The tool CCS-KAP Survey (Cervical Cancer Screening Knowledge, Awareness, and Practices) was used to evaluate participants’ cervical cancer screening knowledge and practices in both pre- and post-intervention periods. The results demonstrated enhanced knowledge and increased uptake for pap screenings among this group.