Understanding the views of Saudi women to participate in mammography screening: A focus group study

Abstract

Background: The global burden of breast cancer is growing. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in females in Saudi Arabia. To date, there is a lack of understanding about the low level of mammography screening uptake in Saudi Arabia, particularly as it is free. Aim: The main aim of this research study was to explore Saudi womens’ perceptions regarding mammography screening. This exploration of the views will provide a better understanding of why there is a low uptake of mammography screening across the kingdom among Saudi women and inform the development of a workplace intervention that seeks to change women’s behaviors and reverse this trend. Methods: First, a systematic review of workplace interventions to increase mammogram screening uptake among female employee was conducted. Second, a scoping review sought to explore the contextual factors that influence mammogram screening practices among women in Saudi Arabia. Third, a qualitative, exploratory study. Focus group discussions were conducted with 41 female employees who worked at Al-Baha University in the city of Al-Baha or Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University in the city of Dammam. Framework analysis was used to analyse the data. Ethical approvals were granted in U.K. Findings: low health literacy and socio-cultural norms (gender inequality) were found to be the major barriers among Saudi females, and having information was a major facilitator to screening services. This emphasized the need for mammogram screening guidelines and recommendations, which are currently lacking in the Saudi health service. There is also a need to engage women in intensive national programmes and encourage them to seek and receive screening, as well as education. Conclusion: This study provides, for the first time a source of information for understanding the barriers and facilitators to mammogram screenings uptake. The necessity to provide screening information to Saudi women routinely and raise their awareness of mammogram screening was strongly confirmed by this study.