Uptake of cervical cancer screening among the migrant population of Prato Province, Italy

Abstract

Objective: To determine the level of participation in cervical cancer screening among the migrant population of Prato Province, Italy.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using data for women aged 25-64 years who were resident in one of the municipalities of Prato Province and had received at least one invitation to undergo a cervical cancer screening test. Data were extracted from both the Local Health Unit Serviceable Registry and cervical cancer screening archives for the period July 1, 2004, to June 30, 2007.

Results: Of the 69 459 residents eligible for cervical cancer screening, 7339 (10.6%) did not have Italian citizenship. Adherence with cervical cancer screening among the migrant population was lower than that of the Italian resident population: uptake increased from 52.4% in 2004 to 57.3% in 2007 among the Italian resident population, but decreased from 31.4% to 28.2% among migrants.

Conclusion: The migrant population of Prato Province has decreased adherence with cervical cancer screening.

Keywords: Cervical cancer; Cervical smear; Migrants; Screening.