An Examination of the Uptake of the Pap Smear Test Among African Women Immigrants in the United States: A Secondary Data Analysis of the National Health Interview Survey

The link between the uptake of preventive healthcare services and poor health status continues to be an area of interest in the consideration for immigrants' health. Data for 580 female African immigrants were extracted from the National Health Interview Survey/Integrated Health Interview Series dataset for years 2005, 2008, 2010, and 2013. A logistic regression model was fitted to determine associations between age, level of education, socioeconomic status, marital status, perceived health status, healthcare provider's recommendation for Pap smear test, and the lifetime uptake of the Pap smear tests. The mean age of sample participants was 39.78 +/- 12.54 years. In this sample, the prevalence of the lifetime uptake of the Pap smear test was lower among female African immigrants (87%) compared to females born in the United States (97.2%), Europe (95.4%), or South America (93.5%). The results showed a statistically significant association between the lifetime uptake of the Pap smear test and educational attainment (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 6.196, 95% CI [2.509, 15.298], and healthcare provider's recommendation for the Pap smear test (AOR = 14.837, 95% CI [4.710, 46.733]. Culturally-tailored public health programs are needed to increase the rates of cervical cancer screening. Early detection of cervical cancer in female African immigrants may reduce the incidence and mortality rates from cervical cancer and improve health equity.