Table 4 Themes and Subthemes of Women’s Awareness of CC and CCS

Implicit knowledge about CC and CCS

● Lack of explicit knowledge on CC

● Limited knowledge about signs and symptoms of CC

● Lack of specific knowledge on CC testing, its frequency and timing

● Deficit in knowledge about risk factors and causes of CC

● Appropriate knowledge on conditions/ requirements for CC testing

● Limited and unspecified knowledge on preventive measures, care and treatment concerning CC

Inaccurate perceived risk of CC and CCS

● Low perceived susceptibility to CC due to misconceptions

● Aggravated severity due to social and cultural misperceptions

Lack of perceived cues to action regarding CC

● External cues:

 ◦Limited interpersonal and public communications about CC due to cultural considerations

 ◦HCP advice as powerful external prompt

● Lack of internal cues:

 ◦Socially imposed self-deprioritization, lack of symptoms and misinterpretation of symptoms