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Background.  Compared with other countries, Hong Kong has a relatively high rate of cervical cancer. Much of this morbidity should be avoidable with cervical screening, but uptake rates for screening in Hong Kong are low. In programmes to promote cervical screening attendance, it is essential that aspects of the socio‐cultural system be taken into account to provide appropriate preventive health strategies.

Aim.  This paper outlines an investigation of the cultural and social factors contributing to Chinese women's attendance for cervical screening.

Method.  A mixed methods design was employed, combining and comparing two data sets. The initial data set was drawn from 10 focus groups involving both screened and unscreened Chinese women (n = 54). The second data set was drawn from a total population of Hong Kong doctors, and involved face‐to‐face semi‐structured interviews (n = 28).

Results …