A community health worker-led multimedia intervention to increase cervical cancer screening uptake among South Asian women: study protocol for a cluster randomized wait-list controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Marked ethnic disparities on cervical cancer screening have been observed among South Asian women. Multiple barriers, such as language difficulties, poor access to screening services, values, and beliefs, were identified. Multimedia interventions led by community health workers (CHWs) would likely reduce screening disparities and increase cervical screening uptake among South Asian women. This study aims to assess the effects of a CHW-led multimedia intervention on the uptake of cervical cancer screening among South Asian women. METHODS: This study is a cluster randomized wait-list controlled trial. A total of 408 South Asian women from Pakistan, India or Nepal will be recruited from six ethnic minority associations. Each association will be randomized to one of the two arms: an intervention arm (n = 3) that will undergo immediate treatment (CHW-led multimedia intervention) or a wait-list control arm (n = 3) that will receive delayed treatment. Each recruited CHW will be allocated to either arm according to the association she is affiliated with. The intervention arm will receive a CHW-led intervention comprising two components: multimedia education, and monthly telephone follow-up and navigation assistance. Participants in the control arm (n = 3) will be offered the CHW-led intervention after those in the intervention arm have completed the intervention. The primary outcome measure is the uptake of cervical cancer screening. Secondary outcomes include readiness to undergo screening and beliefs regarding cervical cancer screening. Outcomes assessments will be performed at baseline, immediately after, and 3 months after completion of the intervention. DISCUSSION: The results of this study will potentially provide significant practical implications for addressing the needs and increasing the uptake of cervical cancer screening among South Asian women. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1800017227. Registered on 18 July 2018. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1186/s13063-019-3378-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.