Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV), the causative agent of cervical cancer, can be screened for using self-collected vaginal samples (self-testing). This may overcome barriers to screening for Māori women who suffer a greater burden of cervical disease than New Zealand European women. Aims:This study aimed to explore the potential acceptability of HPV self-testing for never/under-screened (self-reported no cervical screen in 4+ years, aged 25+) Māori women by Kaupapa Māori (by, with and for Māori) mixed methods, involving hui (focus groups/interviews) and survey. Materials and Methods:Community-based researchers ran hui with women in four regions (N = 106) and supported hui participants to collect survey data (N = 397). Healthcare providers (HCPs) were also interviewed (N = 17). Hui data were thematically analysed. Survey data were analysed by age group, rural/urban, primary health organisation (PHO) enrolment, and time since last cervical screen.Results: Most survey participants were PHO-enrolled (87.15%) and attended regularly (71.79%), but did not attend regular cervical screening. A desire for bodily autonomy, including whakamā (embarrassment/shyness/reticence), was the most frequently cited barrier. Three in four women reported being likely/very likely to do an HPV self-test. Nine in ten women reported being likely/very likely to attend follow up if they receive a positive HPV test result. Women and HCPs in the hui emphasised the importance of health literacy, cultural competence and empathetic support. Conclusion:The findings indicate that with a culturally competent introduction of HPV self-testing, many currently never/under-screened Māori women would be willing to be screened and followed up if necessary. HPV self-testing has the potential to save lives. K E Y W O R D Scervical screening, HPV self-sampling, HPV self-testing, Indigenous health, Kaupapa Māori
Background Indigenous women in the high‐income countries of Canada, Australia, New Zealand and USA, have a higher incidence and mortality from cervical cancer than non‐Indigenous women. Increasing cervical screening coverage could ultimately decrease cervical cancer disparities. Aims To increase cervical screening for under‐screened/never‐screened Māori women. Materials and Methods This study was a cluster randomised controlled trial. Inclusion criteria were women aged 25–69, last screened ≥4 years ago, in Northland, New Zealand. The intervention arm was the offer of a human papilloma virus (HPV) self‐test and the control arm was the usual offer of standard care – a cervical smear. The primary outcome was rate of cervical screening in the intervention group compared to control in Māori, the Indigenous peoples of New Zealand. Six primary care clinics were randomly allocated to intervention or control. Results Of 500 eligible Māori women in the intervention arm, 295 (59.0%) were screened. Of 431 eligible Māori women in the control arm, 94 (21.8%) were screened. Adjusting for age, time since last screen, deprivation index, Māori women in the intervention arm were 2.8 times more likely to be screened than women in the control arm (95% CI: 2.4–3.1, P‐value <0.0001). Conclusions Offer of HPV self‐testing could potentially halve the number of under‐screened/never‐screened Māori women and decrease cervical morbidity and mortality. These results may be generalisable to benefit Indigenous peoples facing similar barriers in other high‐income countries.
Objective To develop an in‐depth understanding of HPV self‐testing cervical screening clinical pathways for never‐/under‐screened Māori women. Methods Based on a community‐based cluster randomized controlled trial in Aotearoa (New Zealand), a Kaupapa Māori (by Māori, for Māori) qualitative study enrolled Māori women who met the eligibility criteria of the HPV trial intervention (aged 25–69 years, no screen in >4 years). In total, 28 were recruited (22 had a negative test, six had a positive test and colposcopy). They were asked about their clinical pathway. Results The HPV self‐test was seen as empowering and promoting bodily autonomy, although some women expressed fears or misconceptions about this new technology. While those with a negative test were relieved, for the six women who had a positive test, there were many fears, compounded by seeking out information on the Internet. When attending colposcopy, the importance of support and responsive care was emphasized. Conclusion HPV self‐testing has the potential to improve access to cervical screening and reduce inequities for Māori. Care must be taken in the delivery of screening and colposcopy results. Primary care and colposcopy services need to take special care with never‐/under‐screened Māori women to provide sensitive, responsive care, and mitigate trauma.
Māori (Indigenous peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand) bear an unequal burden of poor perinatal health outcomes, including preterm birth. An infant arriving preterm disrupts the birth imaginary of whānau (family collectives) and situates them in a foreign health environment that may not be culturally safe and nurturing. A cross-sectional interpretative phenomenological analysis of first interviews with 19 whānau participating in a Kaupapa Māori (by, with, for Māori) qualitative longitudinal study of preterm birth identified themes from their experiences and the meanings they attributed to them. Preterm birth was an emotional roller coaster, with the birth imaginary and anticipated roles disrupted as health practitioners took over the care of their infants. Whānau expressed the desire to be close to their infants, holding them, loving them, nurturing them, and emplacing them within whakapapa (genealogy, continual layering of foundations) networks. When health practitioners or hospital policies inhibited this intimacy by isolating, excluding, or discriminating, whānau were frustrated. Being familiar with hospital routines, staff, peers, infant cares, and being wrapped in wider whānau support were key for whānau coping. Whakawhanaungatanga (processes of establishing relationships) create safe spaces for whānau to be themselves. This quietens the ‘storm’ and returns whānau to a sense of calm, through the reclamation of their environment.
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