Association between sexual behavior and cervical cancer screening

Background: Not much is known about whether women who follow Pap testing recommendations report the same pattern of sexual behavior as women who do not.
Methods: Data come from part of a larger population-based computer-assisted telephone survey of 8656 Australians aged 16–64 years resident in Australian households with a fixed telephone line (Australian Longitudinal Study of Health and Relationships [ALSHR]). The main outcome measure in the current study was having had a Pap test in the past 2 years.
Results: Data on a weighted sample of 4052 women who reported sexual experience (ever had vaginal intercourse) were analyzed. Overall, 73% of women in the sample reported having a Pap test in the past 2 years. Variables individually associated with Pap testing behavior included age, education, occupation, cohabitation status, residential location, tobacco and alcohol use, body mass index (BMI), lifetime and recent number of opposite sex partners, sexually transmitted infection (STI) history, and condom reliance for contraception. In adjusted analyses, women in their 30s, those who lived with their partner, and nonsmokers were more likely to have had a recent Pap test. Those who drank alcohol at least weekly were more likely to have had a recent test than irregular drinkers or nondrinkers. Women with no sexual partners in the last year were less likely to have had a Pap test, and women who reported a previous STI diagnosis were more likely to have had a Pap test in the past 2 years.
Conclusions: There are differences in Pap testing behavior among Australian women related to factors that may affect their risk of developing cervical abnormalities. Younger women and regular smokers were less likely to report a recent test. Screening programs should consider the need to focus recruitment strategies for these women.

Morphometric vertebral fractures of the lower thoracic and lumbar spine, physical function and quality of life in men

The epidemiology and sequelae of morphometric vertebral fracture (MVF) are poorly documented. We found that MVFs of the lower thoracic and lumbar spine were associated with poor quality of life and impaired physical function in men. We recommend that morphometric X-ray absorptiometry be included in routine requests for bone densitometry.

Avoiding piecemeal research on participation in cervical cancer screening : the advantages of a social identity framework

Background  Cervical cancer screening research has predominantly focused on one type of participation, namely compliance with medical recommendations, and has largely ignored other types of participation. While there is some research that has taken a different approach, findings in this research area are not well integrated under a theoretical framework.

Objective  The aim of this study is to show how consideration of a broader definition of participation and better integration of the theoretical conceptualization of participation in cervical cancer screening are both possible and desirable to enable a better understanding of women’s experiences of cervical cancer screening specifically and to improve women’s health generally.

Main Conclusion  It is suggested that alternative types of participation in cervical cancer screening warrant further investigation and that a social identity theoretical approach offers one way of integrating such conceptualizations of participation. The paper also argues for more explicit consideration of the role of social processes and of the variables, such as power, social identity and relational justice, which are involved in participation in cervical cancer screening.

Cervical screening in Australia 2002–2003

The report presents most recent information on participation in cervical screening, rate of early re-screening, low-grade and high-grade abnormalities detected, incidence of cervical cancer and mortality. Analyses of incidence and mortality data by location (major cities, regional and remote) as well as mortality by Indigenous status are also presented. Where possible, data are presented by state and territory stratification.

Cervical screening in Australia 2001–2002

This report is the sixth national report on the performance of the National Cervical Screening Program in Australia. Cervical screening services are provided as part of mainstream health services with general practitioners performing approximately 80% of Pap smears. The program is funded by the Australian Government, and the state and territory governments.

This report presents statistics on the performance monitoring indicators agreed to by the National Advisory Committee to the program.

Cervical screening in Australia 2000–2001 and 1999–2000

This is the third annual report based on key program activity, performance and outcome indicators to monitor the achievements of the National Cervical Screening Program. The report provides a comprehensive national picture of cervical screening in Australia for 2000-2001 and 1999-2000. The report presents most recent information on participation in cervical screening, rate of early rescreening, low-grade and high-grade abnormalities detected, incidence of cervical cancer and mortality. Analysis of incidence and mortality data by location (rural, remote and metropolitan) as well as mortality by Indigenous status are also presented. Where possible, data are presented by state and territory stratification.

Cervical screening in Australia 1999–2000

Cervical Screening in Australia 1999-2000 provides a comprehensive national picture of cervical screening in Australia for the two-year period 1999-2000, based on key program activity, performance and outcome indicators.The report presents the most recent information on participation in cervical screening, the rates of early re-screening, detection of low-grade and high-grade abnormalities, and cervical cancer incidence and mortality. It includes analyses of incidence and mortality by location (rural, remote and metropolitan) as well as mortality by Indigenous status. Where possible, data are presented by State and Territory as well as for Australia as a whole. Cervical Screening in Australia 1999-2000 is the fourth annual report of the National Cervical Screening Program

Cervical screening in Australia 1998–1999

This report provides a comprehensive national picture of cervical screening in Australia for 1998-1999. It presents most recent information on participation in cervical screening, rate of early re-screening, low-grade and high-grade abnormalities detected, incidence of cervical cancer and mortality. Analysis of incidence and mortality data by location (rural, remote and metropolitan) as well as mortality by Indigenous status are also presented.