Barriers to Pacific women's use of cervical screening services

The present study explored barriers to the use of cervical screening information and services from the perspective of Pacific women.

Qualitative, face-to-face interviews based on a snowball sampling approach were used in Palmerston North, New Zealand, in 1997, to assess attitudes among 20 Pacific women.

The study found a high level of awareness of a local cervical screening program. Specific barriers determined were: a resistance to being defined as socially problematic, embarrassment, belief in the sacred nature of human sexuality, an anxiety about lack of confidentiality within small community groups, and a perceived relationship between cervical smears and sexual activity.

Participants strongly preferred that information on cervical screening should be transmitted by interpersonal means, though pamphlets on screening services were also sought. The women agreed that the preferable role of a Pacific Island health professional would be in disseminating information, rather than actually serving as a smear-taker.

The need for smear-taking should not be stereotyped as a 'Pacific problem'. Multi-racial images of women should be used in advertising to demonstrate that cervical smears are necessary regardless of ethnicity. Information providers need to show great sensitivity when providing information relevant to human reproduction or sexuality.