Healthcare access and cervical cancer awareness among Syrian refugee women in Türkiye: language, cultural, and economic challenges
Abstract Background The influx of Syrian refugees since 2012 has introduced demographic changes in Türkiye that face significant barriers to healthcare, particularly for women’s health and cervical cancer awareness. Studies indicate alarmingly low awareness, with only 4% of Syrian women aware of the...
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BMC
2024-12-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-21143-y |
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| author | Sabri Kurtay Cuma Taşın |
| author_facet | Sabri Kurtay Cuma Taşın |
| author_sort | Sabri Kurtay |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The influx of Syrian refugees since 2012 has introduced demographic changes in Türkiye that face significant barriers to healthcare, particularly for women’s health and cervical cancer awareness. Studies indicate alarmingly low awareness, with only 4% of Syrian women aware of the smear test. Objective This study examines cervical cancer awareness among Syrian refugee women in Türkiye and assesses the impact of sociocultural factors—education level, healthcare access, and language proficiency—on healthcare utilization. Methods A sample of 409 Syrian refugee women aged 30–65 in Mersin was surveyed using a 21-item questionnaire, administered in Arabic, covering sociodemographic characteristics, obstetric history, Turkish proficiency, and cervical cancer awareness. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 22, with significance at p < 0.05. Results The mean participant age was 38.4 ± 3.70 years. Education and Turkish proficiency were significantly associated with cervical cancer awareness (p < 0.05). Only 8.6% knew HPV could cause cancer, and 26.9% knew appropriate screening intervals; low awareness was linked to reduced screening participation (p < 0.05). Of those not screened, 24.4% cited a lack of knowledge and 30% perceived low risk. Language barriers limited healthcare access for 22% of participants. Conclusions Cervical cancer awareness among Syrian refugee women in Türkiye is low, hindered by socioeconomic and cultural barriers. Addressing language barriers, adapting culturally appropriate awareness campaigns, and ensuring easier healthcare access could improve screening participation. Enhanced strategies and addressing funding shortfalls are essential for sustainable healthcare delivery and global cervical cancer prevention efforts. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c7d3be918dd1449a975868e87c8327f3 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-c7d3be918dd1449a975868e87c8327f32025-01-05T12:49:12ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582024-12-012411510.1186/s12889-024-21143-yHealthcare access and cervical cancer awareness among Syrian refugee women in Türkiye: language, cultural, and economic challengesSabri Kurtay0Cuma Taşın1Mersin City Education and Training Hospital, Clinic of Obstetrics and GynecologyMersin City Education and Training Hospital, Clinic of Obstetrics and GynecologyAbstract Background The influx of Syrian refugees since 2012 has introduced demographic changes in Türkiye that face significant barriers to healthcare, particularly for women’s health and cervical cancer awareness. Studies indicate alarmingly low awareness, with only 4% of Syrian women aware of the smear test. Objective This study examines cervical cancer awareness among Syrian refugee women in Türkiye and assesses the impact of sociocultural factors—education level, healthcare access, and language proficiency—on healthcare utilization. Methods A sample of 409 Syrian refugee women aged 30–65 in Mersin was surveyed using a 21-item questionnaire, administered in Arabic, covering sociodemographic characteristics, obstetric history, Turkish proficiency, and cervical cancer awareness. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 22, with significance at p < 0.05. Results The mean participant age was 38.4 ± 3.70 years. Education and Turkish proficiency were significantly associated with cervical cancer awareness (p < 0.05). Only 8.6% knew HPV could cause cancer, and 26.9% knew appropriate screening intervals; low awareness was linked to reduced screening participation (p < 0.05). Of those not screened, 24.4% cited a lack of knowledge and 30% perceived low risk. Language barriers limited healthcare access for 22% of participants. Conclusions Cervical cancer awareness among Syrian refugee women in Türkiye is low, hindered by socioeconomic and cultural barriers. Addressing language barriers, adapting culturally appropriate awareness campaigns, and ensuring easier healthcare access could improve screening participation. Enhanced strategies and addressing funding shortfalls are essential for sustainable healthcare delivery and global cervical cancer prevention efforts.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-21143-yHealthcare accessSyrian refugeesWomen’s health |
| spellingShingle | Sabri Kurtay Cuma Taşın Healthcare access and cervical cancer awareness among Syrian refugee women in Türkiye: language, cultural, and economic challenges BMC Public Health Healthcare access Syrian refugees Women’s health |
| title | Healthcare access and cervical cancer awareness among Syrian refugee women in Türkiye: language, cultural, and economic challenges |
| title_full | Healthcare access and cervical cancer awareness among Syrian refugee women in Türkiye: language, cultural, and economic challenges |
| title_fullStr | Healthcare access and cervical cancer awareness among Syrian refugee women in Türkiye: language, cultural, and economic challenges |
| title_full_unstemmed | Healthcare access and cervical cancer awareness among Syrian refugee women in Türkiye: language, cultural, and economic challenges |
| title_short | Healthcare access and cervical cancer awareness among Syrian refugee women in Türkiye: language, cultural, and economic challenges |
| title_sort | healthcare access and cervical cancer awareness among syrian refugee women in turkiye language cultural and economic challenges |
| topic | Healthcare access Syrian refugees Women’s health |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-21143-y |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT sabrikurtay healthcareaccessandcervicalcancerawarenessamongsyrianrefugeewomeninturkiyelanguageculturalandeconomicchallenges AT cumatasın healthcareaccessandcervicalcancerawarenessamongsyrianrefugeewomeninturkiyelanguageculturalandeconomicchallenges |