Cervical screening in migrants to Australia.
OBJECTIVE
To examine differentials and time trends in self-reported Pap test rates by migrant status from the 1989/90 and 1995 Australian National Health Surveys (NHS).


METHODS
Unit record data for females with the variables of interest were extracted from the 1989/90 and 1995 NHS and combined. The dichotomous outcome variables were 'ever had a Pap test' and 'had a Pap test within three years'. The principal study factor was country-of-birth, but language spoken at home (English or not) was also examined. The indirect age-standardised screening ratio was used to calculate proportions of 'ever had a Pap test' and 'had a Pap test within three years' and differences were tested statistically using logistic regression analysis for each year of survey by migrant status.


RESULTS
Odds ratios for rates of reporting 'ever had a Pap test' were significantly lower in women born in southern Europe, Italy, other countries, southern Asia, Middle East, Greece and South-East Asia compared with Australian-born. Reported rates of 'ever had a Pap test' were significantly higher in the 1995 NHS (p<0.001). There were significant increases in screening for the Australian-born, New Zealand-born, and women born in southern Europe, South-East Asia, South Asia and Italy, and both English and non-English speakers over the 1989/90 and 1995 NHSs. Odds ratios for reporting 'had a Pap test within three years' showed significantly lower ORs for women born in the UK, Other countries, Middle East, Greece, and South-East Asia compared with the Australian-born.


CONCLUSIONS
This study reveals differentials in reported Pap test behaviour by country-of-birth in Australia and that reported screening rates have improved from the 1989/90 NHS to 1995 NHS in most country-of-birth groups.
Taylor
R J
RJ
NSW Cervical Screening Program, Westmead Hospital, New South Wales, Australia.
Mamoon
H A
HA
Morrell
S L
SL
Wain
G V
GV
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005843:Geography; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology*; D014171:Transients and Migrants / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*