Table 2 Key themes and representative quotes from focus group discussions

Cervical cancer and HPV knowledge

Risk factors

“With HIV, I believe that we are more prone to infections, so there is more change of getting the cervical cancer”

“I also think those have multiple sexual partners without using proper protection …”

Prevention

“I think we should get vaccinated for HPV, we should practice safe sex.”

“Eat heathy. If you’re having sexual activities, protect yourself and proper rest […], exercise, just take care of your body.”

“Regular checkups for Pap smears […] every 6 months.”

Barriers and facilitators to cervical cancer screening

Facilitators and barriers to screening

“They are used to taking care of other people and neglect themselves, its’ not a question that they don’t want to take it, they just don’t think about taking it.”

“There’s very little information that’s put out there for us to learn about it.”

“They will call me and say it's time.”

Screening recommendations

“Um, the main reason is because there was, well it was requested from my doctor.”

Screening behaviors

“I do it annually but if something is going on, I’m donna call the doctor and go see what’s going on”

“[I get screened] when something’s wrong […].”

COVID-19

“Right now, it’s just in the middle of my list because I can’t go to the doctor right now.”

Avenues to increase knowledge and adherence to cervical cancer screening

Written literature

“Most of my info came from HPV info pamphlets […] that’s how I learned about cervical cancer.”

“We have our groups and stuff. We take notes down and they give us flyers, you know, different information, you know, on different things, you know, to keep us knowledge too and then I always keep my flyers and stuff and read over them. You know, different little things. I want to know and maybe some of it to share with other people.”

Peer group meetings

Um, you know how in our HIV community, we have pharmaceutical reps that come out and do presentations? That needs to be implemented on a regular basis, pharmaceutical company to come out and have a women's meeting, have a nice meal, a nice dinner, uh, semi-dress up and get some education and feel good about yourself while you're getting the education.”

“I get a lot of my information through focus groups and studies”

Text messaging

I didn't, I don't know a lot of things about it, it's what I've read in the pamphlet and I've read and talked to my doctor about, you know. But, texting would be, you know, a good idea to do.”

“Yeah, that would be good also, ‘cause a lot of stuff now days is given, is sent through texts also so that would be interesting.”

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sources of health information

Group sessions

“We used to have groups in, um, have people consistently coming into class and teaching us […] I haven't been in my group in probably like a good 3 or 4 months.”

“Well actually the same as the other, um, participants, at focus groups, support groups, and then they've got a lot of meetings on Zoom, like we're doing now. I think that's the best way right now because of what's going on.”