Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42715625›Full record

ArticlePatient education and counseling2026

Developing personas and empathy maps to understand perceptions of HPV self-sampling in the Somali American Community.

Ayantu Tolessa, Rachel L Winer, Christina Bliss Barsness, Jay Desai, John Lin, Serena Xiong, Tim Ramer, Kristi Fordyce, Paul A Fishman, Megha Ramaswamy and 3 more

Abstract read
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Article in Patient education and counseling, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Ayantu TolessaHealth Systems and Population Health, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
Rachel L WinerDepartment of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
Christina Bliss BarsnessDepartment of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA.
Jay DesaiMinnesota Department of Health, Saint Paul, USA.
John LinHealth Systems and Population Health, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
Serena XiongDepartment of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA.
Tim RamerDepartment of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA.
Kristi FordyceDepartment of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA.
Paul A FishmanHealth Systems and Population Health, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
Megha RamaswamyHealth Systems and Population Health, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
Sophia YoheDepartment of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA.
Rahel GhebreDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA.
Rebekah PrattDepartment of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA. Electronic address: rjpratt@umn.edu.

Funding

Reducing cervical cancer screening disparities in Somali immigrant women through a primary care based HPV self-sampling interventionR01CA248558 · NCI · UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA · PI PRATT, REBEKAH J., WINER, RACHEL L. · 2021 to 2025
$3.1M
NCI NIH HHS R01 CA248558
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesCervical cancer is preventable through regular screening, yet Somali American women face significant barriers that contribute to low screening rates and delayed diagnoses. This study explored Somali American women's perceptions of cervical cancer screening and human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling using the Social Ecological Model (SEM) and human centered design principles of creating personas and empathy maps to better understand screening experiences.

methodsWe conducted a secondary analysis of six focus groups involving 44 Somali American women (aged 30-65) in Minnesota. This analysis explored their knowledge, experiences, and decision-making processes around cervical cancer screening and HPV self-sampling. In order to explore a complementary perspective on participant experience, we then developed six personas and empathy maps.

resultsAt the individual level, participants demonstrated limited knowledge and varied attitudes, with screening preferences shaped by past Pap smear experiences and a burgeoning interest in self-sampling. Interpersonally, the influence of healthcare providers and peer support emerged as critical factors. Communally, cultural and societal norms significantly impacted overall screening behavior. We identified six personas ranging from the Unfamiliar Individual to the Proactive Screener, to capture specific behaviors and needs related to HPV self-sampling.

conclusionsThis study highlights the diverse experiences, beliefs, and barriers that Somali American women face regarding cervical cancer screening and HPV self-sampling. The Socio-Ecological Model in combination with developing personas and empathy mapping, offers an approach to consider the broad range of patient experiences and the need for tailored strategies to address the diverse needs within this group. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The use of personas and empathy mapping offers a way to consider the broad range of patient experiences and could translate into clinical practice to support providers identifying a range of strategies to meet the diverse needs of community members and thoughtfully address screening disparities.

Indexed as

EmpathyHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticePapillomavirus InfectionsSelf CareUterine Cervical NeoplasmsAdultAgedEarly Detection of CancerFemaleFocus GroupsHuman Papillomavirus VirusesHumansMass ScreeningMiddle AgedMinnesotaPapanicolaou TestCervical cancerHPV self-samplingHuman Centered DesignSocial Ecological ModelSomali American women

Identifiers

PMID42715625
PMCPMC13596302

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.