Supporting Informed Decision-Making Regarding Participation in Cervical Cancer Prevention Programs: A Qualitative Study Among Turkish-, Moroccan-, and Syrian-Dutch Women

Background Turkish-, Moroccan-, and potentially Syrian-Dutch women in the Netherlands are disproportionately affected by cervical cancer (CC), yet participate less in CC screening and Human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination program compared to other ethnic minorities and native Dutch women. Existing informational materials insufficiently address their practical, emotional, cultural, and religious concerns. Our aim was to investigate the information seeking behavior and the information needs regarding CC screening and HPV vaccination among Turkish-, Moroccan-, and Syrian-Dutch women.Methods Semi-structured interviews were held with 51 Turkish-, Moroccan-, and Syrian-Dutch women (n = 20, n = 19, and n = 12, respectively). The interview guide was based on the Health Belief Model, the Reasoned Action Approach, and Betancourt's Model of Culture and Behavior. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed.Findings This study identified language barriers and cultural factors related to virginity, fertility, and sexual activity as key influences on decision-making. Most participants reported not actively seeking information and expressed a need for tailored content delivered through trusted and recognizable key community figures and accessible channels, both online and offline. Comparison with CC prevention measures in their countries of origin may facilitate information processing and understanding.Discussion These findings underscore the importance of culturally sensitive materials and outreach to support informed decision-making and improve participation in cervical cancer prevention. These results provided concrete guidance for the development of targeted policies and communication strategies that better address the specific needs and barriers regarding CC prevention faced by Turkish-, Moroccan-, and Syrian-Dutch women.