Perceptions of Cervical Cancer among Female North Korean Defectors : Focus Group Interviews

Abstract

Purpose: This study explored the perceptions of cervical cancer among female defectors from North Korea. Methods: Aqualitative method using focus group interviews was employed. Thirteen participants who were older than 20 when theyleft North Korea were recruited through a church-based community in Seoul. Data were collected from 3 focus group in terviews conducted in July 2021 after obtaining written consent from each participant. Each interview lasted for 40 to 50minutes and was recorded. After verbatim transcription, the data were analyzed qualitatively using the conventional con tent analysis method. Results: The following four categories were identified, each with two to three subcategories: mis conceptions about cervical cancer, barriers to knowledge acquisition, negative emotions toward the screening test, andexpectations for cervical cancer education. Conclusion: North Korean defectors have been considered particularly vulner able to cervical cancer, a major women’s health issue. Education and healthcare services need to be integrated into theservices they receive after they enter South Korea.