BACKGROUND: The population of migrant women in Japan is increasing, with a corresponding need for access to health services. Cervical cancer screening (CCS) coverage remains very low within this group. This is an increasingly difficult challenge for Muslim migrant women due to their religious values and beliefs. However, research addressing the awareness, beliefs, barriers, and practices of Muslim migrant women in Japan regarding CCS is lacking. This study aims to fill this gap by exploring CCS awareness, beliefs, barriers, and practices among Indonesian Muslim women in Japan.
METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted in Osaka, Japan, involving in-depth interviews with 12 Indonesian Muslim women. Data were collected between January and April 2023. All participants were between 20 and 50 years old, Muslim, married, had resided in Japan for a minimum of 3 years, and had no cervical cancer diagnosis.
RESULTS: The participants demonstrated awareness regarding cervical cancer and CCS. However, in actual practice, they encountered several obstacles that might have prevented them from undergoing CCS, including language barriers, lack of information, pain, and psychological factors. All participants preferred female doctors for CCS procedures.
CONCLUSIONS: This research provides information regarding factors that influence Indonesian Muslim migrant women seeking CCS. The need for structured and organized efforts is critical to improve the healthcare system and increase Japan's readiness to accept not only Muslim patients but also migrant patients in general.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable.
