Chinese women's experiences and images of the Pap smear examination

Cervical cancer remains a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in C hinese women, despite the efficacy of the screening procedure for the disea se. This article focuses on specific gender and culturally related experien ces of Chinese women presenting for Papancolaou (Pap) tests. The first phas e of a descriptive exploratory study involved the administration of a quest ionnaire to a total population of female Hong Kong Chinese clerical and tec hnical staff working in academic departments of a tertiary institution, The second phase consisted of in-depth semistructured interviews with a purpos ive sample of women to explore experiences of Pap smear screening. Of these women, 68.2% associated pain with a Pap smear. In addition, 78.6% of the w omen associated a Pap smear with embarrassment. Older women were more likel y to experience pain and embarrassment during the procedure. In the qualita tive data, women's personal images and experiences reflected four subthemes including pain, sexual connotations of the procedure, vulnerability and di minished embarrassment after childbirth. The second substantive theme, char acteristics of the practitioner, highlighted the importance of procedural, interpersonal, and culturally sensitive skills, particularly in respect to information giving and interaction with women. The conclusion outlines the nursing implications for Chinese women presenting For Pap smears in terms o f cultural sensitivity as a means of enhancing attendance patterns.