Cultural shifts: an examination of cervical cancer stigma across age groups in the Caribbean

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Abstract
Cervical cancer-related stigma is common but understudied in the Caribbean. This study aims to describe the age difference of cervical cancer stigma and to evaluate the influence on the prevention practices among the Caribbean non-patient population in Jamaica, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago. A cross-sectional study involving 1,209 participants was conducted using a culturally trans-created Cancer Stigma Scale for the Caribbean context and supplemented with questions on cervical cancer and HPV/HPV vaccine knowledge and beliefs. Descriptive analyses and Chi-square tests were conducted. Chi-squared tests showed age is significantly related to participants’ response to stigma items such as “community members believe cervical cancer is viewed as shameful” (p = .0001); “women with cervical cancer are treated with less respect than usual by others” (p<.0001), “women with cervical cancer are rejected by family members” (p = .0007), “women with cervical cancer are rejected by intimate partners” (p<.0001), and “intimate partners blame women for having cervical cancer” (p = .0032). Additionally, age has significant associations with endorsements of negative views of cervical cancer from the community (p<.0001) and family (p<.0001) as key barriers to cervical cancer care (item: “discourage women from seeking and obtaining screening and treatment”). Notably, younger respondents (18-25 years) are more sensitized to the unfair stigma and hold more stigma. Among Caribbeans, age influences cervical cancer stigma. Younger persons acknowledged greater stigma within families and communities. This study can guide age-informed interventions and programs to reduce stigma and improve cervical cancer screening and care seeking to reduce cervical cancer burden and disparities.
Funding Information
  • National Institute of Health (PA-20-272)

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