Barriers and facilitators to cervical screening among migrant women of African origin: a qualitative study in Finland.

Globally, cervical cancer constitutes a substantial public health concern. Evidence recommends regular cervical cancer screening (CCS) for early detection of "precancerous lesions." Understanding the factors influencing screening participation among various groups is imperative for improving screening protocols and coverage. This study aimed to explore barriers and facilitators to CCS participation in women of Nigerian, Ghanaian, Cameroonian, and Kenyan origin in Finland. We utilized a qualitative design and conducted eight focus group discussions (FGDs) in English, with women aged 27–45 years (n = 30). The FGDs were tape-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed utilizing the inductive content analysis approach. The main barriers to CCS participation included limited language proficiency, lack of screening awareness, misunderstanding of screening's purpose, and miscomprehension of the CCS results. Facilitators were free-of-charge screening, reproductive health services utilization, and women's understanding of CCS's importance for early detection of cervical cancer. In conclusion, among women, the main barriers to CCS participation were language difficulties and lack of screening information. Enhancing screening participation amongst these migrant populations would benefit from appropriate information about the CCS. Those women with limited language skills and not utilizing reproductive health services need more attention from healthcare authorities about screening importance. Culturally tailored screening intervention programs might also be helpful

Barriers and Facilitators to Cervical Screening among Migrant Women of African Origin: A Qualitative Study in Finland

Globally, cervical cancer constitutes a substantial public health concern. Evidence recommends regular cervical cancer screening (CCS) for early detection of "precancerous lesions."Understanding the factors influencing screening participation among various groups is imperative for improving screening protocols and coverage. This study aimed to explore barriers and facilitators to CCS participation in women of Nigerian, Ghanaian, Cameroonian, and Kenyan origin in Finland. We utilized a qualitative design and conducted eight focus group discussions (FGDs) in English, with women aged 27-45 years (n = 30). The FGDs were tape-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed utilizing the inductive content analysis approach. The main barriers to CCS participation included limited language proficiency, lack of screening awareness, misunderstanding of screening's purpose, and miscomprehension of the CCS results. Facilitators were free-of-charge screening, reproductive health services utilization, and women's understanding of CCS's importance for early detection of cervical cancer. In conclusion, among women, the main barriers to CCS participation were language difficulties and lack of screening information. Enhancing screening participation amongst these migrant populations would benefit from appropriate information about the CCS. Those women with limited language skills and not utilizing reproductive health services need more attention from healthcare authorities about screening importance. Culturally tailored screening intervention programs might also be helpful

Cervical Cancer Screening Participation among Women of Russian, Somali, and Kurdish Origin Compared with the General Finnish Population: A Register-Based Study

Migrant-origin women are less prone to cervical screening uptake compared with host populations. This study examined cervical cancer screening participation and factors associated with it in the Finnish mass screening program during 2008–2012 in women of Russian, Somali and Kurdish origin compared with the general Finnish population (Finns) in Finland. The study population consists of samples from the Finnish Migrant Health and Well-being Study 2010–2012 and Health 2011 Survey; aged 30–64 (n = 2579). Data from the Finnish screening register linked with other population-based registry data were utilized. For statistical analysis we employed logistic regression. Age-adjusted screening participation rates were Russians 63% (95% CI: 59.9–66.6), Somalis 19% (16.4–21.6), Kurds 69% (66.6–71.1), and Finns 67% (63.3–69.8). In the multiple-adjusted model with Finns as the reference; odds ratios for screening were among Russians 0.92 (0.74–1.16), Somalis 0.16 (0.11–0.22), and Kurds 1.37 (1.02–1.83). Among all women, the substantial factor for increased screening likelihood was hospital care related to pregnancy/birth 1.73 (1.27–2.35), gynecological 2.47 (1.65–3.68), or other reasons 1.53 (1.12–2.08). Screening participation was lower among students and retirees. In conclusion, screening among the migrant-origin women varies, being significantly lowest among Somalis compared with Finns. Efforts using culturally tailored/population-specific approaches may be beneficial in increasing screening participation among women of migrant-origin

Cervical Cancer Screening Participation among Women of Russian, Somali, and Kurdish Origin Compared with the General Finnish Population: A Register-Based Study

Migrant-origin women are less prone to cervical screening uptake compared with host populations. This study examined cervical cancer screening participation and factors associated with it in the Finnish mass screening program during 2008–2012 in women of Russian, Somali and Kurdish origin compared with the general Finnish population (Finns) in Finland. The study population consists of samples from the Finnish Migrant Health and Well-being Study 2010–2012 and Health 2011 Survey; aged 30–64 (n = 2579). Data from the Finnish screening register linked with other population-based registry data were utilized. For statistical analysis we employed logistic regression. Age-adjusted screening participation rates were Russians 63% (95% CI: 59.9–66.6), Somalis 19% (16.4–21.6), Kurds 69% (66.6–71.1), and Finns 67% (63.3–69.8). In the multiple-adjusted model with Finns as the reference; odds ratios for screening were among Russians 0.92 (0.74–1.16), Somalis 0.16 (0.11–0.22), and Kurds 1.37 (1.02–1.83). Among all women, the substantial factor for increased screening likelihood was hospital care related to pregnancy/birth 1.73 (1.27–2.35), gynecological 2.47 (1.65–3.68), or other reasons 1.53 (1.12–2.08). Screening participation was lower among students and retirees. In conclusion, screening among the migrant-origin women varies, being significantly lowest among Somalis compared with Finns. Efforts using culturally tailored/population-specific approaches may be beneficial in increasing screening participation among women of migrant-origin

Factors associated with cervical cancer screening participation among immigrants of Russian, Somali and Kurdish origin : a population-based study in Finland

Background: Previous studies revealed low participation in cervical cancer screening among immigrants compared with non-immigrants. Only a few studies about factors associated with immigrants' lower participation rates have been conducted in European countries that have universal access for all eligible women. Our study aimed to explore factors associated with cervical screening participation among women of Russian, Somali, and Kurdish origin in Finland. Methods: We used data from the Migrant Health and Well-being Survey, 2010-2012. Structured face-to-face interviews of groups of immigrants aged 25-60 yielded 620 responses concerning screening participation in the previous five years. Statistical analysis employed logistic regression. Results: The age-adjusted participation rates were as follows: among women of Russian origin 73.9% (95% CI 68.1-79.7), for Somalis 34.7% (95% CI 26.4-43.0), and for Kurds 61.3% (95% CI 55.0-67.7). Multiple logistic regressions showed that the most significant factor increasing the likelihood of screening participation among all groups was having had at least one gynecological check-up in the previous five years (Odds ratio [OR] = 6.54-26.2; p <0.001). Other factors were higher education (OR = 2.63; p = 0.014), being employed (OR = 4.31; p = 0.007), and having given birth (OR = 9.34; p= 0.014), among Kurds; and literacy in Finnish/Swedish (OR = 3.63; p = 0.003) among Russians. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that women who refrain from using reproductive health services, those who are unemployed and less educated, as well as those with poor language proficiency, might need more information on the importance of screening participation. Primary and occupational healthcare services may have a significant role in informing immigrant women about this importance.Peer reviewe

Disparities in cervical screening participation : a comparison of Russian, Somali and Kurdish immigrants with the general Finnish population

Background: Cervical cancer is currently ranked as the fourth commonly diagnosed cancer in women globally. A higher incidence has been reported in low- and-middle-income countries, and the disease poses significant public health challenges. Evidence suggests that this disease is preventable by means of regular screening using the Papanicolaou (Pap) test. However, limited knowledge exists about disparities in cervical screening participation among immigrants compared with non-immigrants, in countries with universal cervical screening programmes. We aimed to examine disparities in cervical screening participation among women of Russian, Somali, and Kurdish, origin in Finland, comparing them with the general Finnish population (Finns). We controlled for differences in several socio-demographic and health-related variables as potential confounders. Methods: We employed data from the Finnish Migrant Health and Well-being Study 2010-2012 and the National Health 2011 Survey. Data collection involved face-to-face interviews. Data on screening participation in the previous five years from women aged 29-60 were available from 537 immigrants (257 Russians, 113 Somalis, 167 Kurds) and from 436 Finns. For statistical analyses, we used multiple logistic regression. Results: Age-adjusted screening participation rates were as follows: Russians 79% (95% Cl 72.9-84.4), Somalis 41% (95% Cl 31.4-50.1), and Kurds 64% (95% Cl 57.2-70.8), compared with 94% (95% Cl 91.4-95.9) among Finns. After additionally adjusting for socio-demographic and health-related confounders, all the immigrant groups showed a significantly lower likelihood of screening participation when compared with Finns. The Odds Ratios were as follows: Russians 0.32 (95% Cl 0.18-0.58), Somalis 0.10 (95% Cl 0.04-0.23), and Kurds 0.17 (95% Cl 0.09-0.35). However, when additionally accounting for country of origin-confounder interactions, such differences were attenuated. Conclusions: Our results indicate disparities in screening participation among these immigrants and a lower likelihood of screening participation compared with the general Finnish population. To improve equity in cervical cancer screening participation, appropriate culturally tailored intervention programmes for each immigrant group might be beneficial.Peer reviewe

Posttraumatic Stress Syndromes among Victims of the Ife/Modakeke Crisis

The main purpose of this study was to estimate the incidence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among the victims of the March 2000 Ile-Ife/Modakeke crisis. It also examines most of the risk factors (such as degree of exposure, age and gender) that predispose the victims to PTSD.  An initial sample of 456 male and female respondents from both communities field in a simple questionnaire that assessed the degree of exposure to trauma and self-reported PTSD symptoms.  The results indicate that a substantial proportion (19%) of the initial sample reported symptoms of such magnitude as could be diagnosed as PTSD.  Age and the degree of exposure to trauma were fund to be risks factors for PSTD in the population. The implications of these results for therapy, the provision of relief to traumatized populations and future research are highlighted and discussed. Keywords: Posttraumatic stress syndromes, victims, Ife/Modakeke crisi

Assessment of Health-Related Quality of Life of Cardiovascular Patient Caregivers in Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Nigeria

Patients with Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) frequently suffer from physical and psychological complications, while providing informal care for patients is a difficult and time-consuming task that necessitates time, dedication, and perseverance. Contemporary studies addressing health quality of life in relation to CVDs have traditionally focused on the individual who has the illness or condition rather than that of the caregivers. The study addresses this limitation, with a view of providing empirical evidences of Health Related Quality of Life (HRQL) of CVDs patient caregivers in the study area. The outcome variable was HQRL and the independent variable was psychological distress. The HQRL was captured as psychological physical functioning, mental functioning, dimension support and physical outlook. The study employed both descriptive survey and the experimental designs. The study was a hospital-based cross sectional approach. The study adopted a multi-stage sampling technique, and it sampled quantitative data from eighty-four (n=84) CVDs patient caregivers in Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH) complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Statistical analysis of data was performed using the IBM SPSS version 25, with the level of significance put at .05. Results of the descriptive analysis showed that 40.5% (n=34) of the caregivers had severe /poor level of HRQL. Results of the regression analysis showed that psychological physical functioning (β = 0.31, t=2.10 p<.05), mental functioning (β = 0.30, t=211 p<.05) and dimension support (β = 0.35, t=2.15 p<.05) were significantly associated with psychological distress. The study concluded that psychological distress had a significant predictive role on HRQL among CVDs patient caregivers. 

Numerical Analysis of Variation Among Nigerian Accessions of &apos;Egusi&apos; Melon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum &amp; Nakai)

Abstract: Fourteen quantitative characters were measured in 20 accessions of &apos;egusi&apos; melon. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Single Linkage Cluster Analysis (SLCA) were employed to analyse the variation pattern in these accessions. The first three principal components accounted for 76.33% and 78.70% of the total variation in the early and late seasons respectively. SLCA summarized the relationship among the accessions at various levels of similarity into a dendogram while the accessions were sorted into six distinct groups. The implication of these results for &apos;egusi&apos; melon breeding is discussed. INTRODUCTION In cross pollinated crops such as &apos;egusi&apos; melon, germplasm often exist in the form of heterozygous genotypes which could be improved through intraspecific hybridization and selection. Development of improved varieties of crop plant necessarily involves the incorporation of specific gene complexes governing desired traits. Plant breeders firstly identify traits in plant species that makes them suitable for utilization by man, then search out new genes for the desired traits in new cultivars (or strains) using traditional techniques or biotechnology. They then finally access the performance of the new cultivars before releasing them as registered cultivars to be grown widely by farmers and enjoyed by consumers. It is important to classify the range of variability among accessions to facilitate the maintenance and further acquisition of germplasm resources. Thus, the wealth of any germplasm collection is measured in terms of the genetic variability of the crop species it contains. Many techniques have been employed by researchers to determine the extent of variability in a germplasm collection. The Principal component analysis (PCA) has been used to measure genetic divergence among genotypes. This method which is a common ordination technique reduces the dimension of multivariate data by removing inter-correlations among attribute-variables (characters on which units are to be compared), and enables multidimensional relationships to be plotted on two or three principal axe