A collaborative quality improvement project to enhance knowledge of preventive health screening and services among new migrants and refugees in the Australian Capital Territory

BACKGROUND: Language accessibility barriers of health information may limit health literacy, and reduce awareness of local services for culturally and linguistically diverse communities. As a result, culturally and linguistically diverse populations face challenges accessing preventive sexual and reproductive health and cancer screening services. The aim of this quality assurance and improvement project was to improve knowledge of key messages outlining when and how to access cervical, breast, and sexual health screening services. METHODS: A community-based quality assurance and improvement project delivered culturally sensitive, plain English health education sessions through Adult Migrant English Program classes in 2023. Education focused on key messages about when and how to access screening and care from BreastScreen ACT, Canberra Sexual Health Centre and Women's Health Service. Session effectiveness was assessed using matched pre-post session questionnaires. Median scores of percentages of correct answers on a student's questionnaire before and after intervention were compared using the paired Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS: Paired questionnaires were analysed for Canberra Sexual Health Centre (n = 29), BreastScreen ACT preliminary/level 1 (n = 75), BreastScreen ACT level 2/3 (n = 70) and Women's Health Service (n = 127). Median scores increased across all services apart from BreastScreen ACT preliminary/level 1 questionnaires, where there was a high baseline level of knowledge (median 100%). Feedback from Adult Migrant English Program teachers indicated the sessions were well-received. CONCLUSION: Delivering health education through trusted Adult Migrant English Program settings improved culturally and linguistically diverse participants' knowledge of key messages relating to sexual, cervical, and breast health screening and services. This replicable model strengthens health literacy and supports equitable access to preventive screening.