Cervical Cancer Screening Barriers and Facilitators for Sexual and Gender Minority People: A Community-Engaged Feasibility Approach.

The purposes of this study were to identify barriers and facilitators to cervical cancer screening (CCS) among sexual and gender minority (SGM) people and to determine strategies to facilitate increased CCS among these populations. Between August 2021 and December 2022, 33 semistructured, in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with SGM adults in Kentucky. Interview transcripts were analyzed using inductive content analysis to identify patterns and themes. Barriers to CCS included negative experiences with CCS, negative associations with CCS, and healthcare providers' lack of SGM population awareness. Facilitators of CCS included positive CCS experiences related to healthcare providers and positive CCS experiences related to healthcare settings. Recommended strategies to increase CCS were SGM population-targeted CCS encouragement and cervical cancer self-screening. Healthcare provider and healthcare system barriers and facilitators have a disproportionate influence on SGM individuals' CCS behaviors. CCS must be normalized in the SGM community and presented and promoted specifically to SGM populations. Human papillomavirus self-sampling acceptability for SGM populations should be explored. There is a critical need for piloting culturally tailored, innovative interventions supported by healthcare providers, healthcare systems, and SGM community partners, underpinned with acceptable, accessible, and evidence-based cervical cancer prevention strategies for SGM populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]