Uptake for cervical screening by ethnicity and place-of-birth: a population-based cross-sectional study

Previous research indicates low screening uptake among South Asian women. We aimed to generate contemporary evidence of uptake by ethnicity using the screening records of eligible women resident in Manchester (n = 72613). Uptake among South Asians was lower than among other women, a difference explained by area- and practice-level confounding. A higher proportion of South Asians were recorded as 'never screened', an effect only partially explained by confounding. In practices with relatively large South Asian populations, uptake was higher among South Asians. Women born in a diverse range of overseas countries had uptake rates below 60 per cent and approximately a third of women born overseas were recorded as 'never screened'. If comprehensive coverage is to be achieved in inner city areas attention should now focus on the needs of a diverse range of ethnic minority groups other than South Asians. The routine collection of ethnicity data in primary care is also indicated.